[Epidemiology of sleep-disordered breathing]

The principal types of sleep-disordered breathing--snoring and obstructive sleep apnea syndrome--are highly prevalent in the general population, although it is believed that the majority of cases continue to go undiagnosed. We should be aware of the principal risk factors that favor the onset of these disorders, such as male gender, obesity, aging and craniofacial features. Similarly, systemic arterial hypertension, cardiovascular diseases and metabolic disorders should alert us to the possibility of obstructive sleep apnea syndrome.