Sleep-related breathing disorders

Sleep-related breathing disorders (SRBD) are classified as obstructive (OSA) and central sleep apnea as well as sleep-related hypoxemia and hypoventilation. OSA is the most common and clinically relevant form of SRBD. It mainly but not only affects obese elderly males. Apart from snoring and excessive daytime sleepiness OSA is characterized by increased cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. One form of central sleep apnea is Cheyne-Stokes respiration in congestive heart failure. It is also associated with decreased survival rates. Sleep-related hypoxemia and hypoventilation can occur in various diseases causing impaired lung function, reduced capacity of the respiratory pump and respiratory insufficiency. Obesity hypoventilation syndrome is defined by the presence of daytime hypercapnia and a body mass index (BMI) >30 kg/m(2). Polysomnography is the gold standard in the diagnosis of SRBD. The first line treatment consists of various forms of noninvasive ventilation.