Mechanical Interactions Between the Upper Airway and the Lungs that Affect the Propensity to Obstructive Sleep Apnea in Health and Chronic Lung Disease

• Published in: Sleep medicine clinics Vol. 19; no. 2; pp. 211 - 218
• Main Authors: Sunwoo, Bernie Y., Malhotra, Atul
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States Elsevier Inc 01-06-2024
• Subjects: Chronic Disease; Chronic lung disease; End-expiratory lung volume; Humans; Lung - physiopathology; Lung Diseases - physiopathology; Obstructive sleep apnea; Overlap syndrome; Pharyngeal critical closing pressure; Sleep Apnea, Obstructive - complications; Sleep Apnea, Obstructive - physiopathology; Pharyngeal critical closing pressure; End-expiratory lung volume; Obstructive sleep apnea; Chronic lung disease; Overlap syndrome
• ISSN: 1556-407X; 1556-4088; 1556-4088
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jsmc.2024.02.001

Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is a common disorder characterized by repetitive narrowing and collapse of the upper airways during sleep. It is caused by multiple anatomic and nonanatomic factors but end-expiratory lung volume (EELV) is an important factor as increased EELV can stabilize the upper airway via caudal traction forces. EELV is impacted by changes in sleep stages, body position, weight, and chronic lung diseases, and this article reviews the mechanical interactions between the lungs and upper airway that affect the propensity to OSA. In doing so, it highlights the need for additional research in this area.