Modern and multidimensional approach of sleep apneea as a public health problem

The obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS) is a highly prevalent disorder, associated with recurring episodes of partial or complete upper airway occlusion during sleep, which results in marked sleep disturbance, excessive daytime sleepiness, irritability and morning headache, among other symptoms. Sleep apnea is strongly associated with impaired neuropsychological function and reduced quality of life and social functioning. Daytime sleepiness leads to an increased risk for traffic and industrial accidents. OSAS is also independently associated with several cardiovascular complications: not only systemic hypertension but also ischaemic heart disease and stroke. Identifying patients "at risk" and treating them is very important, but at the same time it is time consuming and expensive. Nevertheless, treatment with continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) has been shown to improve symptoms and quality of life, decrease traffic accidents and may have a positive effect on cardiovascular morbidity. That is why the economic aspects of sleep apnea and the current legislation are an important issue to discuss and manage, for both the patients and the society they live in.