Allergy, Asthma and Immunology: Obstructive sleep apnea and asthma

Jornal Brasileiro de Pneumologia

Print version ISSN 1806-3713

J. bras. pneumol. vol.39 no.5 São Paulo Sept./Oct. 2013

http://dx.doi.org/10.1590/S1806-37132013000500011

REVIEW ARTICLE

Obstructive sleep apnea and asthma *

Cristina Salles1, Regina Terse-Ramos2, Adelmir Souza-Machado3, Álvaro A Cruz4

¹Otolaryngologist and Sleep Specialist. Graduate Program in Health Sciences, Federal University of Bahia, Salvador, Brazil

²Adjunct Professor. Department of Pediatrics, Federal University of Bahia School of Medicine, Salvador, Brazil

³Federal University of Bahia , School of Medicine, Department of Biomorphology, Salvador, Brazil, Adjunct Professor. Institute of Health Sciences, Department of Biomorphology, and Bahia State Asthma Control Program, Federal University of Bahia School of Medicine, Salvador, Brazil

⁴Coordinator. Center of Excellence in Asthma, Federal University of Bahia, Salvador, Brazil

ABSTRACT

Symptoms of sleep-disordered breathing, especially obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS), are common in asthma patients and have been associated with asthma severity. It is known that asthma symptoms tend to be more severe at night and that asthma-related deaths are most likely to occur during the night or early morning. Nocturnal symptoms occur in 60-74% of asthma patients and are markers of inadequate control of the disease. Various pathophysiological mechanisms are related to the worsening of asthma symptoms, OSAS being one of the most important factors. In patients with asthma, OSAS should be investigated whenever there is inadequate control of symptoms of nocturnal asthma despite the treatment recommended by guidelines having been administered. There is evidence in the literature that the use of continuous positive airway pressure contributes to asthma control in asthma patients with obstructive sleep apnea and uncontrolled asthma.

Keywords: Apnea; Sleep apnea, obstructive; Asthma