Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease and Obstructive Sleep Apnea Overlap Syndrome: An Update on the Epidemiology, Pathophysiology, and Management

Benjamin H M Nguyen; Patrick B Murphy; Brendon J Yee

doi:10.1016/j.jsmc.2024.04.003

Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease and Obstructive Sleep Apnea Overlap Syndrome: An Update on the Epidemiology, Pathophysiology, and Management

Sleep Med Clin. 2024 Sep;19(3):405-417. doi: 10.1016/j.jsmc.2024.04.003. Epub 2024 May 28.

Authors

Benjamin H M Nguyen¹, Patrick B Murphy², Brendon J Yee³

Affiliations

¹ Department of Thoracic Medicine, Level 4 Xavier Building, St Vincent's Hospital, 390 Victoria Street, Darlinghurst, NSW 2010, Australia; Department of Respiratory and Sleep Medicine, Royal Prince Alfred Hospital, Level 11 Royal Prince Alfred Hospital, Missenden Road, Camperdown, NSW 2050, Australia; Faculty of Medicine and Health, Sydney Medical School, Sydney Medical School Central Sydney, The University of Sydney, NSW 2006, Australia; The Woolcock Institute of Medical Research, Macquarie University, 2 Innovation Road, Macquarie Park, NSW 2113, Australia. Electronic address: [email protected].
² Lane Fox Respiratory Service, Division of Heart, Lung and Critical Care, Guy's & St Thomas NHS Foundation Trust, Ground Floor, South Wing, St Thomas' Hospital, Westminster Bridge Road, London SE1 7EH; King's College London, Strand, London WC2R 2LS, United Kingdon.
³ Department of Respiratory and Sleep Medicine, Royal Prince Alfred Hospital, Level 11 Royal Prince Alfred Hospital, Missenden Road, Camperdown, NSW 2050, Australia; The Woolcock Institute of Medical Research, Macquarie University, 2 Innovation Road, Macquarie Park, NSW 2113, Australia.

PMID: 39095139
DOI: 10.1016/j.jsmc.2024.04.003

Abstract

This review provides an up-to-date summary of the prevalence, pathophysiology, diagnosis, and treatment of the chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) overlap syndrome (OVS). The presence of OVS is high in patients with COPD and in patients with OSA and is associated with profound nocturnal oxygen desaturation and systemic inflammation. There is a high prevalence of cardiovascular disease among patients with OVS and this likely contributes to increased mortality. Observational studies suggest that positive airway pressure therapy improves survival and reduces COPD exacerbations; however, randomized controlled trials will be required to confirm these findings.

Keywords: Comorbidity; Epidemiology; Exacerbations; Management; Mortality; Positive airway pressure therapy.

Publication types

Review

MeSH terms

Humans
Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive* / epidemiology
Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive* / physiopathology
Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive* / therapy
Sleep Apnea, Obstructive* / complications
Sleep Apnea, Obstructive* / epidemiology
Sleep Apnea, Obstructive* / physiopathology
Sleep Apnea, Obstructive* / therapy