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PMID: 18250205 Published · ppublish English Journal Article Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural Review

The epidemiology of adult obstructive sleep apnea.

Proceedings of the American Thoracic Society ·Vol. 5 ·No. 2 ·2008-02-15 ·Pages 136-43

Punjabi NM

Abstract

Obstructive sleep apnea is a chronic condition characterized by frequent episodes of upper airway collapse during sleep. Its effect on nocturnal sleep quality and ensuing daytime fatigue and sleepiness are widely acknowledged. Increasingly, obstructive sleep apnea is also being recognized as an independent risk factor for several clinical consequences, including systemic hypertension, cardiovascular disease, stroke, and abnormal glucose metabolism. Estimates of disease prevalence are in the range of 3% to 7%, with certain subgroups of the population bearing higher risk. Factors that increase vulnerability for the disorder include age, male sex, obesity, family history, menopause, craniofacial abnormalities, and certain health behaviors such as cigarette smoking and alcohol use. Despite the numerous advancements in our understanding of the pathogenesis and clinical consequences of the disorder, a majority of those affected remain undiagnosed. Simple queries of the patient or bed-partner for the symptoms and signs of the disorder, namely, loud snoring, observed apneas, and daytime sleepiness, would help identify those in need of further diagnostic evaluation. The primary objective of this article is to review some of the epidemiologic aspects of obstructive sleep apnea in adults.

MeSH Terms
Adult Disease Progression Humans Prevalence Risk Factors Sleep Apnea, Obstructive/diagnosis,epidemiology
Authors & Affiliations
1 authors, click to expand affiliations / ORCID
Punjabi Naresh M
Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD 21224, USA. [email protected]
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Article Info
Journal
Proceedings of the American Thoracic Society
Abbr.
Proc Am Thorac Soc
ISSN
1546-3222
DOI
10.1513/pats.200709-155MG
Email
[email protected]
Published
2008-02-15
Pages
136-43
Language
English
Region
United States
NLM ID
101203596
PMCID
PMC2645248
Subset
IM
Grants
NIA NIH HHS · AG-025553 · United States
NHLBI NIH HHS · HL-075078 · United States
NHLBI NIH HHS · HL-086862 · United States
External Links
PubMed source DOI: 10.1513/pats.200709-155MG PMC Full Text
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