Obstructive sleep apnea, verbal memory, and executive function in a community-based high-risk population identified by the Berlin Questionnaire Akershus Sleep Apnea Project

Purpose Cognitive functions in community-dwelling adults at high risk of obstructive sleep apnea have not been described and nor are associations between cognitive functions and obstructive sleep apnea severity fully understood. The study aimed to describe verbal memory and executive function in community-dwelling adults identified by the Berlin Questionnaire and to investigate associations between these cognitive domains and different obstructive sleep apnea severity indicators. Methods Among 29,258 age- and gender-stratified persons 30–65 years who received the Berlin Questionnaire by mail, 16,302 (55.7%) responded. From 654 randomly drawn respondents with BQ high risk who were approached for study participation, 290 participants (55.9% males, mean age 48.2 years) were included. Verbal memory was assessed by Rey Auditory Verbal Learning Test and executive function by Stroop test. Obstructive sleep apnea severity indicators were assessed by polysomnography

Obstructive sleep apnoea: A review of the orofacial implications

The document attached has been archived with permission from the Australian Dental Association (8th Jan 2008). An external link to the publisher’s copy is included.Obstructive sleep apnoea is a complex multifactorial condition produced by a combination of anatomical and physiological factors. There is a significant associated mortality and morbidity to obstructive sleep apnoea. There is an at least 25 per cent increased mortality from cardiovascular disease when obstructive sleep apnoea patients are compared to age and gender matched healthy people. Obstructive sleep apnoea sufferers also have a much higher industrial and motor vehicle accident rate. Management of the condition should be undertaken by a multidisciplinary team including respiratory physicians, sleep laboratory technicians, otorhinolaryngologists, oral and maxillofacial surgeons and dental specialists. The diagnostic and therapeutic interactions of team members are the key to successful treatment. The treatment regime utilises nasal continuous positive airway pressure devices, mandibular advancement splints and soft and hard tissue surgery. This review provides the dental practitioner with an introduction to obstructive sleep apnoea with particular emphasis on the orofacial aspects.David Sherring, Norman Vowles, Ral Antic, Suren Krishnan and Alastair N Gos

Obstructive sleep apnea and blood pressure elevation: what is the relationship? Working Group on OSA and Hypertension.

Sleep disordered breathing has increasingly been recognised as a frequent cause of ill-health in the community. Moderate or severe forms of the most common condition, obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), occur in up to 12% of the adult male population. A substantial body of literature has been published on the potential relationship between OSA and cardiovascular disease. In particular, OSA has been associated with cardiac failure, stroke, myocardial infarction and hypertension. Part of this association may be explained by other confounders, mainly obesity, which is common in OSA patients. The present review was prepared following a workshop aimed to critically review available scientific evidence suggesting that hypertension is a direct consequence of OSA. In addition, pathophysiologic mechanisms that may be involved in the relationship between OSA and cardiovascular disease, particularly brief intermittent elevation of blood pressure and sustained systemic hypertension, are discussed