Obesity and sleep-disordered breathing--when two 'bad guys' meet

Area of Science:

• Pulmonary and Sleep Medicine
• Obesity Research
• Cardiovascular Disease

Background:

• Sleep-disordered breathing (SDB), encompassing obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) and obesity hypoventilation syndrome (OHS), presents significant morbidity and mortality.
• The global rise in obesity is a primary driver for the increasing prevalence of SDB.
• Obesity exacerbates SDB through anatomical changes, altered ventilatory control, and increased respiratory workload.

Purpose of the Study:

• To highlight the link between rising obesity rates and the increasing incidence of SDB.
• To underscore the bidirectional relationship between OSA and obesity.
• To emphasize the role of inflammation in SDB and obesity-related comorbidities.

Main Methods:

• Literature review and synthesis of current evidence on SDB, OSA, OHS, and obesity.
• Analysis of the pathophysiological mechanisms linking obesity to SDB.
• Examination of the role of inflammatory pathways in associated metabolic and cardiovascular diseases.

Main Results:

• Obesity significantly contributes to SDB pathogenesis via multiple mechanisms.
• Evidence suggests OSA may also contribute to obesity development.
• Both OSA and obesity activate inflammatory pathways, implicated in cardiovascular and metabolic diseases.

Conclusions:

• Early identification and treatment of SDB are essential due to available therapies.
• Public health initiatives targeting obesity reduction are urgently needed to mitigate the growing burden of SDB.
• Addressing obesity is critical for managing SDB and its associated health risks.