title: Obstructive sleep apnoea and depression--diagnostic and treatment implications.
abstract: Sleep apnoea (OSA), a common sleep disorder, is well recognised as a cause of morbidity including psychiatric disorders. There is increasing recognition of the link between OSA and depression. Sleep changes are intrinsic to depressive disorders, most notably disturbances of REM sleep; OSA causes predominantly REM sleep disturbances. The neuro-vegetative features of depression are similar or identical to the symptoms of OSA-an issue which has not achieved wide clinical recognition. A growing number of studies confirm the statistical link between the two conditions. The implications are twofold: OSA needs to be excluded in cases of chronic or resistant depression and treatment of OSA will make it easier to treat the primary depressive disorder. A new method of treatment for OSA, the Sullivan continuous positive airway pump (CPAP), raises the theoretical possibility of treating depression by this means as well.
authors: Liaison Clinic, Wollongong, New South Wales.
authors: R
authors: R
authors: Kaplan
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000928:Antidepressive Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D003866:Depressive Disorder / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012891:Sleep Apnea Syndromes / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy; D012895:Sleep, REM / Q000187:drug effects
chemical_list: D000928:Antidepressive Agents