Prevalence of Obstructive Sleep Apnea – OSA (AHI≥5 events/hr)

Age

30-60 yrs (n=602)

>65 yrs (n=420)

Male

24%

28%

Female

9%

20%

Source: NEJM 1993; 328:1230-1235 / Sleep 1991; 14(6): 486-495

Risk Factors

  • Obesity
  • Alcohol and sedative drugs.
  • Anatomic abnormalities such as receding chin.
  • Enlarged tonsils and adenoids.
  • Family history of OSA, although there are no proven genetics.
  • Nasal obstruction.
  • Smoking due to inflammation and airway narrowing.
  • Other such as hypothyroidism, acromegaly, amyloidosis, vocal cord paralysis, post-polio syndrome, neuromuscular disorders, Marfan’s syndrome, Down’s syndrome.