title: [Obstructive sleep apnea--its clinical significance, and the role of general practitioners in its treatment and care].
abstract: It is has been widely studied and proved that obstructive sleep apnea is a risk factor for cardiovascular diseases, especially hypertension, myocardial infarction and stroke. It is also important to be aware that, due to sleep apnea, hypersomnia increases the risk of accidents and the prevalence of neuropsychiatric complications (cognitive impairments, depression, memory and concentration problems, quality of life decreasing). Sleep apnea has several social and economical consequences. Family physicians have an important role in screening and recognizing sleep apnea. Effective screening methods could prevent severe, irreversible complications and could improve patients' quality of life. Family physicians should collaborate with a specialist from sleep laboratory in the field of the patients' examination, treatment and care.
authors.affiliation: Semmelweis Egyetem, Általános Orvostudományi Kar Családorvosi Tanszék Budapest Kútvölgyi út 4. 1125. torzsapeter@freemail.hu
authors.forename: Péter
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Torzsa
authors.forename: László
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Kalabay
authors.forename: Agnes
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Adám
authors.forename: Márta
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Novák
authors.forename: István
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Mucsi
mesh_terms: D000059:Accidents; D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000150:complications; D003072:Cognition Disorders / Q000150:complications; D003863:Depression / Q000150:complications; D048909:Diabetes Complications / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000628:therapy; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D005764:Gastroesophageal Reflux / Q000150:complications; D006801:Humans; D010819:Physician's Role; D010821:Physicians, Family; D029424:Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive / Q000150:complications; D011788:Quality of Life; D012307:Risk Factors; D020181:Sleep Apnea, Obstructive / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy*; D012894:Sleep Stages; D020521:Stroke / Q000150:complications