[Epidemiology of obstructive sleep apnoea syndrome].

INTRODUCTION

Epidemiological cohorts based on population samples, established in the 1990s, have helped to clarify the prevalence of obstructive sleep apnoea syndrome (OSAS) and to identify key risk factors and co-morbidities.

STATE OF KNOWLEDGE: OSAS is a common disease whose prevalence increases with age. Its main risk factor is obesity, but familial and genetic predisposition may also promote the condition. The association of OSAS with increased cardiovascular mortality has been known for several years and has been confirmed by recent data from epidemiological cohorts showing increased mortality including an increased incidence of coronary events and stroke in particular in men aged below 70 years. Recent studies also show an independent association between OSAS and cancer mortality.

CONCLUSIONS

OSAS is a common disease whose prevalence continues to increase with the increase of obesity in the population. Large epidemiological studies have shown an independent relationship between OSAS and cardiovascular diseases, metabolic disorders and more recently cancer.