Obstructive sleep apnea syndrome: a frequent complication of obesity

Obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS) is a major health problem, not only because of its consequences in terms of morbidity and mortality, but also because of its social impact in the form of car accidents and industrial accidents. These facts stress the necessity of screening OSAS among the population, particularly in patients suffering from obesity or hypertension, diseases frequently associated with OSAS. This review will focus on the epidemiology and the pathophysiology of this syndrome, its clinical features with a view to screening OSAS, and the main examination used to confirm the diagnosis. The management of OSAS will be discussed.