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. 2020 Sep;6(3):94-100.
doi: 10.1007/s40675-020-00179-7. Epub 2020 Aug 25.

Sleep Apnea and Skin

Vinaya Soundararajan  1 , Jennifer Lor  1   2 , Anna B Fishbein  2
Affiliations

Sleep Apnea and Skin

Vinaya Soundararajan et al. Curr Sleep Med Rep. 2020 Sep.

Abstract

Purpose of the review: Skin disease is associated with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) both epidemiologically and mechanistically. In this review we highlight conditions which have a well-established link to obstructive sleep apnea, such as psoriasis and atopic dermatitis.

Recent findings: We describe putative mechanistic links between OSA and skin disease involving inflammatory pathways, obesity, mechanical upper airways obstruction, and hypoxia. In the context of these mechanisms we describe specific skin conditions, and other conditions which are associated with both skin manifestations (including hair/nail findings) and OSA. The risks/ benefits of CPAP in the context of skin disease are also reviewed.

Summary: We conclude that further research is needed to understand the mechanisms behind the associations between OSA and skin disease. Given the frequent co-occurrence of OSA and skin conditions, there would be great benefit for OSA clinical trials to consider improvement in skin disease as an outcome measure.

Keywords: atopic dermatitis; obesity; psoriasis; sleep apnea; sleep disturbance.

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Conflict of interest statement

Conflicts of interest: Dr. Fishbein has grant support from Pfizer and served as consultant for Regeneron.

Figures

Figure 1:
Figure 1:
Mechanisms linking skin disease with OSA and some example conditions
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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