HOME HELP FEEDBACK SUBSCRIPTIONS ARCHIVE SEARCH TABLE OF CONTENTS		QUICK SEARCH:   [advanced] Author: Keyword(s): Year:  Vol:  Page:

This Article Full Text Full Text (PDF) Alert me when this article is cited Alert me if a correction is posted Services Similar articles in this journal Similar articles in PubMed Alert me to new issues of the journal Download to citation manager Citing Articles Citing Articles via HighWire Citing Articles via Google Scholar Google Scholar Articles by Eckert, D. J. Articles by Malhotra, A. Search for Related Content PubMed PubMed Citation Articles by Eckert, D. J. Articles by Malhotra, A.

Pathophysiology of Adult Obstructive Sleep Apnea

¹ Division of Sleep Medicine, Sleep Disorders Program, Brigham and Women's Hospital, and Harvard Medical School; and ² Division of Pulmonary/Critical Care Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts

Correspondence and requests for reprints should be addressed to Danny Eckert, Ph.D., Brigham and Women's Hospital, Division of Sleep Medicine, Sleep Disorders Program, BIDMC, 75 Francis Street, Boston, MA 02115. E-mail: deckert{at}rics.bwh.harvard.edu

ABSTRACT

Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is a common disorder characterized by repetitive narrowing or collapse of the pharyngeal airway during sleep. The disorder is associated with major comorbidities including excessive daytime sleepiness and increased risk of cardiovascular disease. The underlying pathophysiology is multifactorial and may vary considerably between individuals. Important risk factors include obesity, male sex, and aging. However, the physiological mechanisms underlying these risk factors are not clearly understood. This brief review summarizes the current understanding of OSA pathophysiology in adults and highlights the potential mechanisms underlying the principal risk factors. In addition, some of the pathophysiological characteristics associated with OSA that may modulate disease severity are illustrated. Finally, the potential for novel treatment strategies, based on an improved understanding of the underlying pathophysiology, is also discussed with the ultimate aim of stimulating research ideas in areas where knowledge is lacking.

Key Words: arousal • genioglossus • lung volume • upper airway • ventilatory control stability

This article has been cited by other articles:

				G.-S. Hwang, S.-T. Chen, T.-J. Chen, and S.-W. Wang Effects of hypoxia on testosterone release in rat Leydig cells Am J Physiol Endocrinol Metab, November 1, 2009; 297(5): E1039 - E1045. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				A. Vakulin, S. D. Baulk, P. G. Catcheside, N. A. Antic, C. J. van den Heuvel, J. Dorrian, and R. D. McEvoy Effects of Alcohol and Sleep Restriction on Simulated Driving Performance in Untreated Patients With Obstructive Sleep Apnea Ann Intern Med, October 6, 2009; 151(7): 447 - 455. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				P. Attal, V. Claes, S. Bobin, P. Chanson, P. Kamenicky, P. Zizzari, and Y. Lecarpentier Growth hormone excess and sternohyoid muscle mechanics in rats Eur. Respir. J., October 1, 2009; 34(4): 967 - 974. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				A. Malhotra Obstructive Sleep Apnea and Central Sleep Apnea: Epidemiology, Pathophysiology, and Risk Factors ACCP Sleep Med Brd Rev, January 1, 2009; 4(0): 193 - 200. [Full Text] [PDF]

				A Malhotra and D Hillman Obesity and the lung: 3 {middle dot} Obesity, respiration and intensive care Thorax, October 1, 2008; 63(10): 925 - 931. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				M. G. Levitzky Using the pathophysiology of obstructive sleep apnea to teach cardiopulmonary integration Advan Physiol Educ, September 1, 2008; 32(3): 196 - 202. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]