Advances in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease-obstructive sleep apnea syndrome

Abstract

Both chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSA) are common respiratory diseases. Both can exist at the same time, which is referred to as the overlap syndrome (OS). Epidemiological studies showed poorer outcomes with increased comorbidities and mortality, which indicated complicated interactions between COPD and OSA. Even though the underlying mechanisms of overlap syndrome have not yet well understood, the airway and systemic inflammation as well as oxidative stress induced by hypoxia played an essential role in the disease interactions and pathogeneses of comorbidities, mainly cardiovascular diseases. One other question is that how to treat the overlap syndrome. This paper summarizes the current research progress of the overlapping interaction and treatment. Key words: Pulmonary disease, chronic obstructive; Sleep apnea, obstructive; Review