Originally published on healio.com
Obstructive sleep apnea is a significant risk factor for all-cause sudden death and cardiovascular mortality, according to findings published in BMJ Open Respiratory Research.
“Individuals with OSA have nearly a twofold higher risk of sudden death and cardiovascular mortality. Treatment and interventions related to decreasing this risk and other adverse outcomes are necessary to optimize survival and [quality of life],” Emily S. Heilbrunn, project coordinator inpublic health sciences at Penn State Health Milton S. Hershey Medical Center, and colleagues wrote.
Researchers conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis of MEDLINE, Cochrane, Scopus and Joanna Briggs Institute Evidence-Based Practice databases through January 2020. Heilbrunn and colleagues identified 22 observational studies that assessed the association of sudden death among individuals with and without OSA. The studies evaluated 42,099 participants (mean age, 62 years; 64% men).