Sleep in the patient with lung disease

Normal sleep is associated with changes in respiration. The impact of sleep on patients with underlying lung disease may be significant depending on the severity of the underlying disease. Nocturnal oxygen desaturation may complicate the management of patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, interstitial lung disease, and kyphoscoliosis. Nocturnal bronchospasm may develop in patients with asthma. The impact of sleep on these four disorders, as well as diagnostic and therapeutic considerations, are reviewed.