Obstructive sleep apnoea and coexisting respiratory disorders

Obstructive sleep apnoea may be associated with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), asthma or other significant respiratory disorders. For patients with a coexisting respiratory disorder, a sleep study should include measurement of transcutaneous carbon dioxide and arterial blood gases.

Patients with severe COPD and obstructive sleep apnoea can develop nocturnal hypoventilation due to the combination of the COPD and the episodes of apnoea and hypopnoea.

Management of obstructive sleep apnoea in patients with comorbid respiratory disease includes optimisation of daytime respiratory function through weight loss, smoking cessation and drug treatment of the respiratory disorder.