[Reviews] Endocrine aspects of obstructive sleep apnea

Abstract

[Abstract] Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is a common clinical condition that has variety of adverse effects on human health. Studies suggest that OSA increases the cardiovascular risk, and a link between OSA and glucose metabolism has been described. Some endocrine and metabolic conditions (obesity, acromegaly, hypothyroidism, polycystic ovary disease, etc.) can be associated with OSA that may be improved by treatment of underlying endocrine disorders like hypothyroidism and acromegaly, where OSA is mainly related to upper airways narrowing due to reversible thickening of the pharyngeal walls. In other cases proper treatment of OSA has a beneficial effect on different endocrine disturbances. Central obesity is an important risk factor both in diabetes and sleep apnea, and recent evidence supports the direct association between them. There may be a positive feed back circle between the two disorders : sleep problems may affect endocrine function and metabolic conditions, while metabolic abnormalities potentially interfere with sleep regulation