Pathophysiology & genetics of obstructive sleep apnoea.
- Resource Type
- Article
- Authors
- Campana, Lisa; Eckert, Danny J.; Patel, Sanjay R.; Malhotra, Atul
- Source
- Indian Journal of Medical Research. Feb2010, Vol. 131 Issue 2, p176-187. 12p. 2 Diagrams, 1 Chart, 1 Graph.
- Subject
- *SLEEP apnea syndromes
*PATHOLOGICAL physiology
*MEDICAL genetics
*AIRWAY (Anatomy)
*OBESITY
*SEX factors in disease
*AGING
- Language
- ISSN
- 0971-5916
Obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA) is a highly prevalent condition with proven neurocognitive and cardiovascular consequences. OSA patients experience repetitive narrowing or collapse of the pharyngeal airway during sleep. Multiple factors likely underlie the pathophysiology of this condition with considerable inter-individual variation. Important risk factors for OSA include obesity, male gender, and ageing. However, the mechanisms underlying these major risk factors are not well understood. We briefly review the state-of-the-art knowledge regarding OSA pathogenesis in adults and highlight the potential role of genetics in influencing key OSA pathophysiological traits. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]