The Korean Journal of Medicine

The Korean Association of Internal Medicine (대한내과학회)
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Epidemiology and Etiology of Obstructive Sleep Apnea

폐쇄성 수면 무호흡증의 역학과 병인

  • Yoon, Dae Wui (Institute of Human Genomic Study, Korea University College of Medicine) ;
  • Kim, Jin Kwan (Department of Biomedical Laboratory Science, Jungwon University College of Health Science) ;
  • Shin, Chol (Division of Sleep, Pulmonary, and Critical Care Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, Ansan Hospital, Korea University College of Medicine)
  • 윤대위 (고려대학교 의과대학 인간유전체 연구소) ;
  • 김진관 (중원대학교 의료보건대학 임상병리학교실) ;
  • 신철 (고려대학교 의과대학 안산병원 호흡기내과)
  • Published : 20150000
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Abstract

Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is one of common sleep disorders in western countries, affecting 4% of males and 2% of females. It is characterized by repeated obstruction of the upper airway during sleep, leading to intermittent hypoxemia, sympathetic activation, and sleep fragmentation. OSA is an independent risk factor for a range of medical problems, including cardiovascular disease, diabetes, depression, and cognitive dysfunctions. The etiology of OSA is complex and incompletely understood, but recent studies have shown that the development of OSA depends on the structure of the airway anatomy, the responsiveness of the upper airway dilator muscle to stimulation, and the stability of the respiratory control system. This review details the epidemiological and experimental evidence surrounding the associations between OSA and chronic diseases. Recent findings on the etiology of OSA will also be discussed.

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