Obstructive sleep apnea, cpap and COVID-19: a brief review

Carlotta Mutti; Nicoletta Azzi; Margherita Soglia; Irene Pollara; Francesca Alessandrini; Liborio Parrino

doi:10.23750/abm.v91i4.10941

Obstructive sleep apnea, cpap and COVID-19: a brief review

Authors

Carlotta Mutti Neurology Department, Parma Hospital
Nicoletta Azzi Sleep Disorders Center, Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Parma, Parma, Italy
Margherita Soglia Sleep Disorders Center, Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Parma, Parma, Italy
Irene Pollara Sleep Disorders Center, Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Parma, Parma, Italy
Francesca Alessandrini Sleep Disorders Center, Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Parma, Parma, Italy
Liborio Parrino Sleep Disorders Center, Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Parma, Parma, Italy

DOI: https://doi.org/10.23750/abm.v91i4.10941

Keywords:

obstructive sleep apnea syndrome, Covid-19, inflammation, non-invasive ventilation, CPAP

Abstract

Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is a broadly diffused curable chronic low-grade inflammatory disease sharing impressive clinical and pathogenetic features with Covid-19. Moreover, a potential role of OSA as a detrimental factor for Covid-19 severity has been hypothesized. Continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) is the mainstay treatment for moderate-severe OSA, but the beneficial effects of ventilation strongly depend on medical expertise and on the patient’s adherence and compliance. Although several papers have analyzed the overlaps and outcomes of OSA and Covid-19, limited attention has been dedicated to ventilatory adherence and management of OSA cohorts exposed to Covid-19. We briefly review the literature data, pointing out the main risks and benefits of CPAP for OSA patients in the pandemic setting.

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