Obstructive Sleep Apnoea Syndrome (OSAS) is a common condition affecting all age groups.
In the middle aged population it affects 2-4% of men presenting a significant public health concern due to the associated cardinal daytime symptom of excessive sleepiness.
During sleep there is a loss of stability of the upper airwaywhich leads to pertial closure (hypopnoea) or complete obstruction (apnoea). This is associated with a drop in oxygen saturation and is terminated by a large inspiratory breath and arousal from sleep. The patient is often unaware of these events however their bed partners are often able to provide witnessed accounts of apnoea, chocking episodes and heroic snoring.
Although the breathing distrubance occurs during sleep the consequences of the fragmented sleep affects daytime functioning.
Excessive sleepiness impairs quality of life affecting relationships and cognitive function.
It also affects work performance and people with untreated apnoea are seven times more likely to have an RTA (NICE 2008), which may be due to a lapse in concentration, error of judgement or falling asleep at the wheel.
OSAS is also associated with hypertension which increases the risk of cardiovascular disease and stroke. (IMPRESS 2009) Although it is strongly connected with obesity, 30% of patients have a BMI <30.