Skip to main page content
U.S. flag

An official website of the United States government

Dot gov

The .gov means it’s official.
Federal government websites often end in .gov or .mil. Before sharing sensitive information, make sure you’re on a federal government site.

Https

The site is secure.
The https:// ensures that you are connecting to the official website and that any information you provide is encrypted and transmitted securely.

Access keys NCBI Homepage MyNCBI Homepage Main Content Main Navigation
Review
. 2009 Feb 15;5(1):71-8.

Obstructive sleep apnea syndrome and asthma: what are the links?

Michel Alkhalil  1 , Edward Schulman, Joanne Getsy
Affiliations
Review

Obstructive sleep apnea syndrome and asthma: what are the links?

Michel Alkhalil et al. J Clin Sleep Med. .

Abstract

Recent data suggest that obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS) is an independent risk factor for asthma exacerbations. Neuromechanical reflex bronchoconstriction, gastroesophageal reflux, inflammation (local and systemic), and the indirect effect on dyspnea of OSAS-induced cardiac dysfunction have been suggested as mechanisms that lead to worsening asthma control in patients with concomitant OSAS. Vascular endothelial growth factor-induced airway angiogenesis, leptin-related airway changes, and OSAS-induced weight gain also may play a common mechanistic role linking both disorders. Several studies have confirmed that asthmatic patients are more prone to develop OSAS symptoms than are members of the general population. The common asthmatic features that promote OSAS symptoms are nasal obstruction, a decrease in pharyngeal cross sectional area, and an increase in upper airway collapsibility. Clarifying the nature of the relationship between OSAS and asthma is a critical area with important therapeutic implications.

PubMed Disclaimer

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Interrelationship between obstructive sleep apnea and asthma
See this image and copyright information in PMC

References

    1. Sullivan CE, Issa FG, Berthon-Jones M, et al. Reversal of obstructive sleep apnoea by continuous positive airway pressure applied through the nares. Lancet. 1981;1:862–5. - PubMed
    1. Guilleminault C, Tilkian A, Lehrman K, et al. Sleep apnea syndrome: state of sleep and autonomic dysfunction. J Neurol Neurosurg Psychiatry. 1977;40:718–25. - PMC - PubMed
    1. Guilleminault C, Winkle R, Melvin K, et al. Cyclical variation of the heart rate in sleep apnea syndromes: mechanisms and usefulness of 24-hour electrocardiography as a screening technique. Lancet. 1984;1:126–36. - PubMed
    1. Boushey HA, Holtzman MJ, Sheller JR, et al. State of the art. Bronchial hyperreactivity. Am Rev Respir Dis. 1980;121:384–413. - PubMed
    1. Morrison JF, Pearson SB, Dean HG. Parasympathetic nervous system in nocturnal asthma. BMJ. 1988;296:1427–9. - PMC - PubMed

MeSH terms

Substances