American Board of Orthodontics (ABO) Practice Exam 2026 - Free Orthodontics Practice Questions and Study Guide

The diagnosis of mild obstructive sleep apnea in adults is quite prevalent, with studies indicating that approximately 20% of adults can exhibit symptoms consistent with this condition. When considering the options presented, the choice representing 1 in 5 adults aligns closely with this prevalence rate, reflecting an approximate 20% occurrence.

Mild obstructive sleep apnea may often remain undiagnosed or may not be taken very seriously, leading to a higher reported figure in certain populations. These figures can vary based on demographics, such as age, sex, and body mass index, but generally, the 1 in 5 statistic provides a reasonable estimate for the adult population at large.

In contrast, the other figures suggested do not accurately represent the current understanding of the prevalence of mild obstructive sleep apnea. For instance, 1 in 10 and 1 in 15 are lower than what the data generally supports, while 1 in 4 is slightly higher than the common estimate but within a reasonable range given some population variances. However, the 1 in 5 figure stands out as the most accurate and commonly cited statistic in this context.