Exploring Sleep Disorders in Thoracic Surgery: A Prospective Study on Pre- and Postoperative Sleep Assessment

Background: Sleep disorders are often underdiagnosed in patients undergoing lung resection (LR), with unclear effects on surgical outcomes. Aims: To (1) assess sleep disorder prevalence before LR, (2) evaluate postoperative sleep changes, and (3) identify factors linked to sleep disturbances. Methods: Adults scheduled for LR had a preoperative assessment, including pulmonary function tests (PFTs), ASA status, comorbidities, and therapies. Sleep was measured preoperatively and six months postoperatively using the Apnea-Hypopnea Index (AHI) and Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS). Physical activity and quality of life were assessed using the International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ) and the Short Form-36 (SF-36), respectively. Statistical analyses included Chi-square, Phi (ϕ), and Spearman’s rank correlation (ρ). Results: Among 23 patients (34.8% female, mean age 67.7±12.5 years, BMI 25.8±6.7), baseline PFTs showed percent predicted (pp)FEV1 98.3±17.5%, ppFVC 105.1±15.1%, FEV1/FVC 0.73±0.09, ppDLCO 77.7±21%. Baseline AHI was 10.13±9.10 events/h, ESS 5.2±3.8, with 47.8% (11/23) having undiagnosed sleep apnea (AHI >5). AHI correlated with high blood pressure (ϕ = 0.42, p = 0.046), cardiovascular disease (ϕ = 0.42, p = 0.046), and ASA status (r = 0.64, p < 0.001). Final postoperative data collection is ongoing; so far, postoperatively, 37.5% had worsened sleep, while 62.5% remained stable. Conclusions: Preoperative sleep assessment can detect undiagnosed sleep disorders, providing a chance for optimization before LR. Many patients experience new or worsened sleep disturbances postoperatively. Further research will assess if targeted interventions improve recovery.