[Obstructive sleep apnea and asthma: Clinical implications]

Rev Mal Respir. 2021 May;38(5):506-513. doi: 10.1016/j.rmr.2020.10.006. Epub 2021 May 18.
[Article in French]

Abstract

Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) and asthma are common respiratory diseases that can coexist in the same patient. Epidemiological and pathophysiological data suggest an independent link between these two diseases. Specially, OSA is frequently associated with non-eosinophilic and with poorly-controlled asthma. Common comorbidities including obesity, gastroesophageal reflux and rhinitis may promote this association. The impact of OSA treatment on the clinical and functional control of asthma has been extensively investigated. Numerous non-randomized studies suggest that continuous positive pressure treatment is likely to improve asthma symptoms, the control of the disease and quality of life in asthmatics with OSA. However, this impact has not been confirmed in the limited randomized trial available. To date, the optimal treatment approach in asthmatics with OSA is the best treatment of each disease separately and the recognition and treatment of comorbidities. When indicated, obesity surgery has a major impact on both diseases.

Keywords: Asthma; Asthme; Continuous positive airway pressure; Obesity; Obstructive; Obésité; Pression positive continue; Sleep apnea syndrome; Syndrome d’apnées hypopnées du sommeil.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Asthma* / complications
  • Asthma* / diagnosis
  • Asthma* / epidemiology
  • Continuous Positive Airway Pressure
  • Humans
  • Obesity / complications
  • Obesity / epidemiology
  • Obesity / therapy
  • Quality of Life
  • Sleep Apnea, Obstructive* / complications
  • Sleep Apnea, Obstructive* / diagnosis
  • Sleep Apnea, Obstructive* / epidemiology