title: Obstructive sleep apnea and asthma: associations and treatment implications.
abstract: Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) and asthma are highly prevalent respiratory disorders and are frequently co-morbid. Risk factors common to the two diseases include obesity, rhinitis, and gastroesophageal reflux (GER). Observational and experimental evidence implicates airways and systemic inflammation, neuromechanical effects of recurrent upper airway collapse, and asthma-controlling medications (corticosteroids) as additional explanatory factors. Therefore, undiagnosed or inadequately treated OSA may adversely affect control of asthma and vice versa. It is important for clinicians to be vigilant and specifically address weight-control, nasal obstruction, and GER in these populations. Utilizing validated screening instruments to affirm high risk of co-morbid OSA or asthma in persistently symptomatic patients will allow clinicians to cost-effectively test and treat appropriate patients, potentially improving outcomes. While non-invasive ventilation in acute asthma improves outcomes, the role of chronic continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP; the first-line treatment for OSA) in improving long-term asthma control is not known. Future research should focus on the impact of optimal CPAP therapy and adherence on asthma symptoms and outcomes.
authors.affiliation: Division of Pulmonary, Critical Care, Sleep, and Allergy, College of Medicine, University of Illinois at Chicago, USA; Center for Narcolepsy, Sleep and Health Research, College of Nursing, University of Illinois at Chicago, USA. Electronic address: bpradsad@uic.edu.
authors.forename: Bharati
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Prasad
authors.affiliation: Division of Pulmonary, Critical Care, Sleep, and Allergy, College of Medicine, University of Illinois at Chicago, USA. Electronic address: snyenhui@uic.edu.
authors.forename: Sharmilee M
authors.initials: SM
authors.lastname: Nyenhuis
authors.affiliation: Center for Narcolepsy, Sleep and Health Research, College of Nursing, University of Illinois at Chicago, USA. Electronic address: teweaver@uic.edu.
authors.forename: Terri E
authors.initials: TE
authors.lastname: Weaver
mesh_terms: D018927:Anti-Asthmatic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001249:Asthma / Q000150:complications* / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000453:epidemiology; D015897:Comorbidity; D045422:Continuous Positive Airway Pressure; D006801:Humans; D012307:Risk Factors; D020181:Sleep Apnea, Obstructive / Q000150:complications* / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000628:therapy
chemical_list: D018927:Anti-Asthmatic Agents
keywords: Asthma; Continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP); Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA); Overlap; Pathophysiology