The obstructive sleep apnoea/hypopnoea syndrome – An overview

In the last 30 years, there has been an explosion in facilities for the diagnosis and treatment of the obstructive sleep apnoea/hypopnoea syndrome (OSAHS) as well as a rapid advancement in the understanding of its consequences. In the general population, the prevalence of OSAHS is approximately 3–7% in adult men and 2–5% in adult women. OSAHS has been recognised as an independent risk factor for disorders such as hypertension, cardiovascular disease and sleepiness-related accidents. Currently, it is considered to be a systemic disease. This review provides a general overview of OSAHS: its epidemiology, pathophysiology, clinical features, diagnosis and treatment, as well as its consequences for public health.