Citation

Ejaz SM, Khawaja IS, Bhatia S, Hurwitz TD. Innov. Clin. Neurosci. 2011; 8(8): 17-25.

Affiliation

Dr. Ejaz is from the Minnesota Regional Sleep Disorders Center, Hennepin County Medical Center, Minneapolis, Minnesota, and University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota; Drs. Khawaja and Hurwitz are from Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Minneapolis, Minnesota, and University of Minnesota; and Dr. Bhatia is from the VA Medical Center, Omaha, Nebraska.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2011, Matrix Medical Communications)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

21922066

PMCID

PMC3173758

Abstract

Obstructive sleep apnea is a common sleep disorder associated with several medical conditions, increased risk of motor vehicle accidents, and overall healthcare expenditure. There is higher prevalence of depression in people with obstructive sleep apnea in both clinical and community samples. Many symptoms of depression and obstructive sleep apnea overlap causing under-diagnosis of obstructive sleep apnea in depressed patients. Sleep problems, including obstructive sleep apnea, are rarely assessed on a regular basis in patients with depressive disorders, but they may be responsible for antidepressant treatment failure. The mechanism of the relationship between obstructive sleep apnea and depression is complex and remains unclear. Though some studies suggest a mutual relationship, the relationship remains unclear. Several possible pathophysiological mechanisms could explain how obstructive sleep apnea can cause or worsen depression. Increased knowledge of the relationship between obstructive sleep apnea and depression might significantly improve diagnostic accuracy as well as treatment outcomes for both obstructive sleep apnea and depression.

Language: en