Quelles sont les données physiopathologiques expliquant la forte prévalence du syndrome d'apnées obstructives du sommeil chez le sujet âgé ?

The prevalence of the sleep apnea-hypopnea syndrome increases with age, without a clear explanation as why this happens. This chapter recalls the age-related changes in upper airway anatomy and physiology, as well as in sleep physiology, the functioning of the muscles or the exposure to hypnotic or pain suppressor medications that can account for the increased prevalence of sleep apnea in older age.