Abstract
Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is a serious, potentially life-threatening condition. Epidemiologic studies show that sleep apnea increases cardiovascular diseases risk factors including hypertension, obesity, and diabetes mellitus. OSA is also responsible for serious illnesses such as congestive heart failure, stroke, arrhythmias, and bronchial asthma. The aim of this systematic review is to evaluate evidence for the association between OSA and cardiovascular disease morbidities and identify risk factors for the conditions. In a review of 34 studies conducted in 28 countries with a sample of 37,599 people, several comorbidities were identified in patients with severe OSA—these were: heart disease, stroke, kidney disease, asthma, COPD, acute heart failure, chronic heart failure, hyperlipidemia, thyroid disease, cerebral infarct or embolism, myocardial infarction, and psychological comorbidities including stress and depression. Important risk factors contributing to OSA included: age > 35 years; BMI ≥ 25 kg/m2; alcoholism; higher Epworth sleepiness scale (ESS); mean apnea duration; oxygen desaturation index (ODI); and nocturnal oxygen desaturation (NOD). Severe OSA (AHI ≥ 30) was significantly associated with excessive daytime sleepiness and oxygen desaturation index. The risk of OSA and associated disease morbidities can be reduced by controlling overweight/obesity, alcoholism, smoking, hypertension, diabetes mellitus, and hyperlipidemia.
Highlights
Sleep disordered breathing, alternatively called obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), is one of the most important biological cause of chronic sleep fragmentation and sleep deficiency [1]
This review provided substantial quantitative evidence to demonstrate the risk factors of OSA
The review showed consistency of findings through multiple country-specific data and the strength of the association by providing evidence of rigorous quantitative analysis regarding the role of OSA in disease morbidity, both physically and psychologically
Summary
Alternatively called obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), is one of the most important biological cause of chronic sleep fragmentation and sleep deficiency [1]. OSA syndrome represents a challenge for the healthcare system due to its high prevalence in the adult population [2,3]. It causes intermittent nocturnal hypoxemia, excessive daytime sleepiness, and persistent elevated sympathetic tone during the day [1]. The prevalence studies indicate that sleep disturbances including chronic sleep deprivation and sleep fragmentation due to various environmental and biological factors lead to mood disorders, anxiety disorders, poor cognition, memory deficiency, and decreased performance in academia and the workplace [4,5,6]
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
