Treatment options for sleep apnoea.
Sleep apnoea (SA) is a common sleep disorder affecting 4 to 25% of the adult population. The most common form, obstructive SA, is characterised by recurrent upper airway obstruction during sleep associated with sleep disruption and hypoxaemia. There is increasing evidence that SA leads to impaired vigilance, quality of life, driving accidents and probably represents a vascular disease risk factor. Currently, the most effective treatments are aimed at increasing upper airway space by either air pressure [(continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP)], upper airway surgery or oral appliances. CPAP is the main treatment modality for moderate to severe SA but noncompliance approaches 50% in clinic populations. A number of pharmacological agents have been used in SA but at this stage, none are indicated in moderate to severe SA.
Grunstein
R R
RR
Centre for Respiratory Failure and Sleep Disorders, Royal Prince Alfred Hospital and University of Sydney, Australia. rrg@mail.med.usyd.edu.au
Hedner
J
J
Grote
L
L
D000086:Acetazolamide / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000929:Antidepressive Agents, Tricyclic / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000959:Antihypertensive Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006801:Humans; D000860:Hypoxia / Q000209:etiology; D011175:Positive-Pressure Respiration / Q000379:methods; D018490:Serotonin Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D020182:Sleep Apnea, Central / Q000150:complications / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy; D020181:Sleep Apnea, Obstructive / Q000150:complications / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy*; D012913:Snoring / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy; D016683:Supine Position / Q000502:physiology; D013806:Theophylline / Q000627:therapeutic use; D014139:Tracheostomy
D000929:Antidepressive Agents, Tricyclic; D000959:Antihypertensive Agents; D018490:Serotonin Agents; D013806:Theophylline; D000086:Acetazolamide