What is the role of sleep apnea in COPD?

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease ( COPD ) is a chronic inflammatory lung disease that causes obstructed airflow from the lungs. Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is a known common comorbidity of COPD. However, the relationship of the combination of OSA and COPD on mortality is not clear. It has been found that OSA occurs in about 10 to 15 percent of patients with COPD. This is often referred to as the overlap syndrome.

What is the connection?

According to the COPD Foundation, sleep-related disorders are most prevalent in adults and are associated with increased mortality and morbidity from obesity, cardiovascular diseases, diabetes and depression. As a result, so many people experience a reduced quality of life and increased health care costs.

Patients with severe COPD commonly exhibit abnormal sleep like insomnia that can contribute to daytime sleepiness and fatigue. Additionally, medications that have been used to treat COPD may affect the patient’s quality of sleep. Due to a nighttime reduction of oxygen levels that are commonly seen in patients with COPD, it can have a profound effect and lead to long-term sequelae, which can produce arrhythmias, myocardial stress and even lower survival rates.

Oral appliances for treatment

Individuals with both conditions have an increased risk of death and more hospitalizations without CPAP treatment, or in our case, oral appliance therapy. Without treatment, it can negatively impact their overall well-being. The use of oral appliance therapy helps to improve breathing for patients.

For patients with COPD, there is a very poor quality of sleep involved. And if they suffer from OSA as well, it can have profound effects. By looking further into OSA among patients with diagnosed COPD, it can potentially help improve treatment and their outlook on life. Recommend a sleep evaluation for patients diagnosed with COPD and try asking questions about daytime sleepiness, snoring, etc.

We owe it to our patients to remain up-to-date on the latest health connections with sleep apnea for improved care.