pulmonary disorders
Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA)
Prognosis for Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA)
Prognosis for obstructive sleep apnea is excellent provided treatment is instituted, accepted, and effective. Untreated or unrecognized OSA is accompanied by a lower quality of life, and increased risk of hypertension and injuries from falling asleep while engaging in potentially hazardous activities. Treated OSA is accompanied by better sleep, daytime alertness, and quality of life. Treatment of OSA results in a modest 2 to 3 mm Hg decrease in blood pressure ( Prognosis reference ), with larger effects in those with resistant hypertension. There may be reduced prevalence of stroke and a shallower decline in renal function. Treatment may lessen excessive daytime sleepiness and its attendant consequences and can decrease snoring and restless sleep. However, there is no strong evidence yet that treatment reduces heart failure or arrhythmias, but it may make these conditions easier to manage. Mortality effects are mixed in controlled trials of CPAP, generally attributed to the poor (about 50%) adherence in the treated groups. Although the associations between hypertension, short sleep duration, insomnia, restless legs syndrome (RLS) diabetes, etc, and OSA are identified by multiple studies, their causative role is not proven. 1.Bratton DJ, Gaisl T, Wons AM, et al: CPAP vs mandibular advancement devices and blood pressure in patients with obstructive sleep apnea: a systematic review and meta-analysis.JAMA314(21):2280-2293, 2015. doi:10.1001/jama.2015.16303 