Obstructive Sleep Apnea in Older Adults

Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is prevalent and potentially deadly in older people. It may be overlooked by clinicians because the clinical presentation is different from that in younger people. Obesity may not play as significant a role in seniors with OSA, and the risk of OSA in women increases after menopause. Seniors are less likely to report classic symptoms of witnessed apnea, snoring, and fatigue. Because continuous positive airway pressure use is associated with reduced morbidity and mortality in older (as well as younger) people, clinicians need to consider the possibility of OSA in older patients with sleep complaints.