Fast Facts: Obstructive Sleep Apnea

Obstructive Sleep Apnea, sleep-disordered breathing, is associated with significant morbidity and mortality, including cardiovascular disease and cognitive impairment. Both the prevalence and the awareness of breathing disturbances during sleep have increased markedly in recent years. This is partly due to advances in diagnosis and treatment but is also due to an increase in the prevalence of obesity and the age of the population. The current estimate of the prevalence of clinically significant Obstructive Sleep Apnea Syndrome (OSAS) is about 5%. This increasingly common condition is treatable provided that it is recognized and managed appropriately. 'Fast Facts: Obstructive Sleep Apnea' is the work of two experienced, international experts and is specifically targeted to primary care physicians to equip them with the knowledge needed to diagnose and manage this disorder successfully in cooperation with specialists.