Obstructive sleep apnea in older adults is a distinctly different physiological phenotype.

ABSTRACT:

Study objectives

Current evidence suggests that the pathological mechanisms underlying obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) are altered with age. However, previous studies examining individual physiological traits known to contribute to OSA pathogenesis have been assessed in isolation, primarily in healthy individuals.

Design

We assessed the four physiological traits responsible for OSA in a group of young and old patients with OSA.

Setting

Sleep research laboratory.

Participants

Ten young (20-40 y) and old (60 y and older) patients with OSA matched by body mass index and sex.

Measurements and results

Pharyngeal anatomy/collapsibility, loop gain (LG), upper airway muscle responsiveness/gain (UAG) and the respiratory arousal threshold were determined using multi

SUBMITTER: Edwards BA 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4098808 | biostudies-literature | 2014 Jul

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature