The Contribution of Sleep Texture in the Characterization of Sleep Apnea

Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is multi-faceted world-wide-distributed disorder exerting deep effects on the sleeping brain. In the latest years, strong efforts have been dedicated to finding novel measures assessing the real impact and severity of the pathology, traditionally trivialized by the simplistic apnea/hypopnea index. Due to the unavoidable connection between OSA and sleep, we reviewed the key aspects linking the breathing disorder with sleep pathophysiology, focusing on the role of cyclic alternating pattern (CAP). Sleep structure, reflecting the degree of apnea-induced sleep instability, may provide topical information to stratify OSA severity and foresee some of its dangerous consequences such as excessive daytime sleepiness and cognitive deterioration. Machine learning approaches may reinforce our understanding of this complex multi-level pathology, supporting patients' phenotypization and easing in a more tailored approach for sleep apnea.

Automated summary

Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is a worldwide disorder that deeply affects the sleeping brain. In recent years, efforts have been made to find new measures to assess the real impact and severity of OSA, which has been traditionally trivialized by the simplistic apnea/hypopnea index. This review focuses on the role of cyclic alternating pattern (CAP) in linking the breathing disorder with sleep pathophysiology, emphasizing that sleep structure can provide valuable information to stratify OSA severity and predict its dangerous consequences.