Overlap: Asthma and sleep apnea syndrome

Introduction: often, asthma and sleep apnea syndrome coexist; the overlap of the two diseases makes necessary the treatment of both conditions. Objective: to evaluate the effects of bronchodilator therapy on nocturnal non invasive ventilation (NIV) in patients with asthma and sleep apnea syndrome. Methods: we studied diurnal and nocturnal respiratory function in 45 patients with asthma and sleep apnea syndrome moderate/ severe. Patients were subjected to polysomnography in NIV. These patients received obstructive sleep apnea test (OSAS test) and asthma control test (ACT). Bronchodilator therapy was optimized according to GINA guidelines, and after 30 days, we revaluated patients with new polysomnography and OSAS and ACT test. Results: the data showed that 60% of patients had poor control of symptoms and poor adherence to therapy night with an average time of use of the device 4 hours per night, SpO2 average of 93%, index of desaturation/hour of 16.2. Conclusions: patients affected by asthma in comorbidity with sleep apnea, have a worse quality of life for the coexistence of similar symptoms; Because of the increasing number of patients with overlap syndrome, the correct treatment of asthma, and nocturnal syndrome overlapped is the only valid therapeutic option. Bronchodilator therapy unoptimized can interfere with therapy in NIV, and if not, therefore, encourage adherence to NIV and improve their effectiveness.