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Sleep apnea

What is sleep apnea in bipolar disorder?

The most common form of sleep apnea is obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), which occurs when the muscles of the upper airway relax in such a way that they block the airway during sleep. As a result, OSA is associated with daytime sleepiness, cognitive dysfunction, and the development of hypertension, cardiovascular disease, and abnormalities in glucose metabolism. OSA also has adverse effects on quality of life, and can lead to anxiety and depression symptoms.

What is the evidence for sleep apnea in people with bipolar disorder?

Moderate quality evidence suggests around 25% of people with bipolar disorder have OSA, which is less than people with major depression (36%), but more than people with schizophrenia (15%).

October 2021

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Last updated at: 11:55 pm, 25th October 2021
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Tags:  Sleep apnea

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