Co-existence of OSA and respiratory diseases and the influence of gender

ABSTRACT

Introduction

Sleep-disordered breathing (SDB), especially obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), is commonly associated with respiratory diseases, such as COPD, asthma and interstitial lung disease.

Areas covered

This narrative review aims to comprehensively synthesize the existing information on SDB in respiratory diseases, investigate the role of gender in this association, and highlight the importance of OSA management in improving sleep, quality of life, and disease prognosis in these specific patient populations.

Expert opinion

Research indicates a synergistic link between OSA and chronic respiratory diseases, which leads to greater morbidity and mortality compared to each disorder alone. Given the lack of an optimal OSA screening tool for these patients, a comprehensive patient approach and overnight diagnostic sleep study are imperative. Despite the limited evidence available, it seems that gender has an impact on the prevalence, severity, and susceptibility of this coexistence. Recognizing the role of gender in the coexistence of OSA and other respiratory diseases can enhance everyday medical practice and enable clinicians to adopt a more personalized approach toward optimal screening and diagnosis of these patients.

KEYWORDS:

• Asthma
• chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
• gender
• interstitial lung disease obstructive sleep apnea
• respiratory disease

Article highlights

• OSA is a prevalent disorder among patients with respiratory disease.

• Presence of OSA leads to reduced quality of life, increased cardiovascular risk and exacerbations as well as poorer respiratory disease control.

• Due to the lack of an optimal OSA screening tool for these patients, a comprehensive patient approach and overnight diagnostic sleep study are imperative.

• Despite the scarcity and inconclusive nature of the available evidence, it appears that gender exerts an influence on the prevalence, severity, and susceptibility of this coexistence.

• Recognizing the role of gender in the coexistence of OSA and other respiratory diseases can enhance everyday medical practice and enable clinicians to adopt a more personalized approach toward optimal patient management.

Declaration of interest

The authors have no relevant affiliations or financial involvement with any organization or entity with a financial interest in or financial conflict with the subject matter or materials discussed in the manuscript. This includes employment, consultancies, honoraria, stock ownership or options, expert testimony, grants or patents received or pending, or royalties.

Additional information

Funding

This paper was not funded.