Obstructive sleep apnoea

Question 1

Obstructive sleep apnoea?

Answer 1

A disease characterised by recurrent prolapse of the pharyngeal airway and apnoea (cessation of airflow for > 10 s) during sleep, followed by arousal from sleep

Question 2

Obstructive sleep apnoea aetiology?

Answer 2

Occurs due to the narrowing of the upper airways because of the collapse of soft tissues o the pharynx due to decreased tone of the pharyngeal dilators during sleep.

Question 3

Obstructive sleep apnoea epidemiology?

Answer 3

COMMON 5-20% of men > 35 yrs 2-5% of women > 35 yrs, prevelance increases with age.

Question 4

Obstructive sleep apnoea risk factors?

Answer 4

Weight gain Smoking Alcohol Sedative use Enlarged tonsils and adenoids in children Macroglossia Marfan’s syndrome Craniofacial abnormalities

Question 5

Obstructive sleep apnoea symptoms?

Answer 5

Excessive daytime sleepiness, unrefreshing or restless sleep, morning headaches Dry mouth, difficulty concentration, Irritability and mood changes, partner reporting snoring, nocturnal apnoeic episodes or nocturnal choking.

Question 6

Obstructive sleep apnoea signs?

Answer 6

large tongue, tonsils, uvula, neck circumference, obesity, hypertension.

Question 7

Obstructive sleep apnoea investigations?

Answer 7

sleep study, bloods (TFTs, ABG)