Sleep Apnea and Other Sleep-Wake Disorders in Stroke

Sleep-disordered breathing (SDB) and sleep-wake disturbances (SWD) are frequent in stroke patients. They deserve attention, because they may significantly influence rehabilitation process and functional outcome. In addition, SDB may increase the risk of stroke recurrence. More than 50% of stroke patients have SDB, mostly obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). In some patients, stroke recovery is accompanied by an improvement of SDB. The treatment of choice for OSA is continuous positive airway pressure. Oxygen, theophylline, and other forms of ventilation may be helpful in patients with other forms of SDB (eg, Cheyne-Stokes breathing). In at least 20% to 40% of stroke patients, SWD are present, mainly in form of increased sleep needs (hypersomnia), excessive daytime sleepiness, or insomnia. Depression, anxiety, SDB, stroke complications (eg, nocturia, dysphagia, and urinary or respiratory infections), and drugs may contribute to SWD and should be addressed first. In patients with SWD of primary neurologic origin, treatment with stimulants or dopaminergic drugs and hypnotics or sedating antidepressants, respectively, can be attempted.