Recurrent upper airway collapse during sleep causing intermittent hypoxia, arousals and daytime sleepiness.
Clinical features
- • Snoring, witnessed apnoeas
- • Unrefreshing sleep, morning headache
- • Excessive daytime sleepiness (Epworth ≥11)
- • Nocturia
Investigations
- • STOP-BANG and Epworth scores
- • Home respiratory polygraphy or polysomnography (AHI)
- • Consider ABG if obesity hypoventilation suspected
Management
- • Weight loss, alcohol and sedative avoidance, positional therapy
- • CPAP for moderate-severe or symptomatic mild OSA
- • Mandibular advancement device for mild disease
- • ENT review for surgically correctable anatomy
Clinical pearls
- • Driving advice is mandatory — inform licensing authority if sleepy
- • Untreated OSA causes resistant hypertension and AF recurrence
Related in WardRound
Educational — verify locally.
