Obstructive sleep apnoea

Although snoring and occasional apnoeic breath holding in sleep (obstructive sleep apnoea) is common, the diagnosis of obstructive sleep apnoea syndrome (OSAS) requires the presence of repetitive apnoeas and symptoms of sleep fragmentation, most commonly excessive daytime sleepiness. With increasing awareness of OSAS and portable diagnostic equipment, OSAS is no longer an esoteric diagnosis made only in specialist sleep centres but an easily recognised condition for which effective treatment is widely available. Obstructive sleep apnoea syndrome is also important from a public health perspective because of the increased risk of cardiovascular morbidity1 and road traffic incidents.2 This review is intended for non-specialists and describes the physiology and diagnosis of OSAS, the practicalities of treatment, and the identification of those patients who are likely to benefit.