Epidemiology Research Today is a free monthly online journal that collates and summarizes the latest research about Epidemiology, including details on twin studies, statistics, environmental and genetic factors.

Sleep apnea: epidemiology, pathophysiology, and relation to cardiovascular risk.

Parati G, Lombardi C, Narkiewicz K

Dept. of Clinical Medicine and Prevention, Univ. of Milano-Bicocca and Ospedale San Luca, IRCCS, Istituto Auxologico Italiano, via Spagnoletto 3, 20149, Milano, Italy. gianfranco.parati@unimib.it

Several studies have shown the occurrence of an independent association between obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS) and cardiovascular disease, including arterial hypertension, ischemic heart disease, and stroke. The pathogenesis of the cardiovascular complications of OSAS is still poorly understood, however. Several mechanisms are likely to be involved, including sympathetic overactivity, selective activation of inflammatory molecular pathways, endothelial dysfunction, abnormality in the process of coagulation, and metabolic dysregulation. The latter may involve insulin resistance and disorders of lipid metabolism. The aim of this review, which reports the data presented at a workshop jointly endorsed by the European Society of Hypertension and by the European Union COST action on OSAS (COST B26), is to critically summarize the evidence available to support an independent association between OSAS and cardiovascular disease.

Published 3 October 2007 in Am J Physiol Regul Integr Comp Physiol, 293(4): R1671-83.
Full-text of this article is available online (may require subscription).

© 2005-2008 Epidemiology Research Today. All Rights Reserved.