title: Managing Comorbid Illness in Obstructive Sleep Apnea: What Can We Learn from Other Diseases?
abstract: Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is associated with numerous comorbid medical conditions. Symptoms of OSA may mimic those of comorbid conditions. The presence of OSA may worsen outcomes from the primary condition. Conversely, OSA treatment may benefit both sleep symptomatology and comorbid illness. Because of potential significant benefit, it is important to screen for sleep apnea symptoms, to have a low threshold to perform diagnostic testing, to treat OSA if present, and to closely monitor symptoms. OSA management does not necessarily replace, but rather, should be performed in conjunction with primary therapy for comorbid conditions.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine, University of Colorado Denver School of Medicine, 13001 East 17th Place, Aurora, CO 80045, USA. Electronic address: walter.conwell@ucdenver.edu.
authors.forename: Walter D
authors.initials: WD
authors.lastname: Conwell
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine, University of Colorado Denver School of Medicine, 13001 East 17th Place, Aurora, CO 80045, USA; Department of Medicine, National Jewish Health, 1400 Jackson Street, Denver, CO 80206, USA.
authors.forename: Sheila C
authors.initials: SC
authors.lastname: Tsai
mesh_terms: D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000628:therapy*; D015897:Comorbidity; D004700:Endocrine System Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000628:therapy*; D006801:Humans; D008171:Lung Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000628:therapy*; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000628:therapy*; D020181:Sleep Apnea, Obstructive / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000628:therapy*; D012893:Sleep Wake Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000628:therapy*
keywords: CPAP therapy; Comorbid disease; Hypersomnia; Obstructive sleep apnea