Medical Evaluation of Patients with Obstructive Sleep Apnea

Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is an increasingly common sleep disorder defined by repetitive upper airway collapse during sleep that leads to intermittent hypoxia and fragmented sleep. Left untreated, it has been associated with an increase in all-cause mortality, motor vehicle accidents, decreased quality of life, as well as significant cardiovascular consequences such as hypertension and possible coronary artery disease. In this chapter, we will discuss the epidemiology and risk factors for OSA and the clinical presentation as well as outline the complications of untreated OSA. We will also discuss the diagnosis of OSA, including attended polysomnography and home sleep testing. The treatment of OSA will be discussed elsewhere.