Do obstructive sleep apnea and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease overlap coincidently or intrinsically?

As unveiled by previous studies that obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) happen concomitantly in about 1% of general population.1 OSA and COPD interact pathologically, causing severe hypoxemia and high risk of cardiovascular mortality.2 Hypercarbia, induced by moderate-severe COPD aggregates weakness of respiratory muscles and represses respiratory response to hypoxia stimulation, thus leading to prolonged breathing events during sleep. Negative thoracic pressure during OSA increases respiratory effort and accentuates muscular fatigue, causing decreased ventilation volume in patients with concomitant COPD.
Source: Heart and Lung - Category: Intensive Care Authors: Source Type: research