Association between Life's Essential 8 and obstructive sleep apnea from the NHANES 2005–2008 and 2015–2018

Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is a prevalent disorder significantly impacting health and quality of life. This study investigates the association between a lifestyle assessment tool, Life's Essential 8 (LE8) score, and OSA. Utilizing data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (2005–2008, 2015–2018), we evaluated whether the LE8 score, an indicator of cardiovascular health, predicts OSA risk. LE8 scores are categorized into low, moderate, and high levels, representing lifestyle healthiness. Employing logistic regression, restricted cubic splines, and weighted quantile sum regression, we found that higher LE8 scores correspond to a significantly lower OSA risk: moderate and high score groups exhibited a 46% and 76% reduced risk, respectively. Additionally, a nonlinear dose-response relationship was observed, and factors such as BMI and tobacco exposure emerged as critical risk elements. The results underscore the value of LE8 as a practical tool for assessing OSA risk and reinforce the role of healthy living in its mitigation. These insights can form the foundation of public health strategies aimed at decreasing OSA prevalence through the promotion of healthier lifestyles.