Sleep apnea as a model of sleep deprivation: exploring outcomes and best treatment course
Location
Suwanee, GA
Start Date
17-4-2026 12:00 PM
End Date
17-4-2026 1:00 PM
Description
Introduction: Sleep plays an integral role in one’s quality of life and homeostasis. 7-8 hours of sleep per night are recommended for adults, and sleep deprivation or disruption has been correlated with decreased memory consolidation and cognition, poorer mental health outcomes, and decreased cardiovascular health. Over 70 million adults in the United States suffer from sleep disorders. Sleep apnea is a significant sleep pathology, with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) impacting over one billion adults worldwide. The other subtype is central sleep apnea (CSA), and both pathologies have multifactorial causes. Healthcare providers often measure severity by the Apnea-Hypopnea Index (AHI). Continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) is considered the gold standard treatment, but it is not without limitations and suffers from low adherence. Other treatments exist in various surgeries, hypoglossal nerve stimulation, and oral appliance therapy.
Objectives: This project aims to provide an overview and analyze the available treatment modalities for sleep apnea and, based on the available literature, compare their outcomes across various therapeutic targets to derive the best overall treatment plan for individuals with sleep apnea.
Methods: This literature review used public databases, such as PubMed and Embase, to gather various scientific resources on the etiologies of sleep apnea, diagnostic methods, common therapeutic targets, and outcomes. A comprehensive overview of the various treatment options, including CPAP, airway surgeries, hypoglossal nerve stimulation, and oral appliance therapy, was written. The relationship between each treatment and outcomes was assessed using multiple parameters, including AHI, quality of life, blood pressure, cardiovascular events, and neurocognition.
Results: Multiple sources indicate that CPAP lowers systolic blood pressure and improves quality-of-life markers. However, CPAP suffers from a low adherence rate (approximately 66%) and does not necessarily decrease cardiovascular events such as myocardial infarction. Adenotonsillectomy, hypoglossal nerve stimulation, and oral appliance therapy were all shown to lower AHI in multiple sources. Lifestyle changes such as exercise and smoking cessation also showed promise in lowering AHI and are an alternative to CPAP for some individuals.
Conclusion: There is no single treatment that will benefit every patient, and each individual should exhaust options with their provider. If a patient cannot adhere to CPAP, they can look to oral appliances or hypoglossal nerve stimulation. Providers should not overlook lifestyle modifications. Combining treatments, such as adenotonsillectomy and CPAP, has proven to be effective.
Embargo Period
5-15-2026
Sleep apnea as a model of sleep deprivation: exploring outcomes and best treatment course
Suwanee, GA
Introduction: Sleep plays an integral role in one’s quality of life and homeostasis. 7-8 hours of sleep per night are recommended for adults, and sleep deprivation or disruption has been correlated with decreased memory consolidation and cognition, poorer mental health outcomes, and decreased cardiovascular health. Over 70 million adults in the United States suffer from sleep disorders. Sleep apnea is a significant sleep pathology, with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) impacting over one billion adults worldwide. The other subtype is central sleep apnea (CSA), and both pathologies have multifactorial causes. Healthcare providers often measure severity by the Apnea-Hypopnea Index (AHI). Continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) is considered the gold standard treatment, but it is not without limitations and suffers from low adherence. Other treatments exist in various surgeries, hypoglossal nerve stimulation, and oral appliance therapy.
Objectives: This project aims to provide an overview and analyze the available treatment modalities for sleep apnea and, based on the available literature, compare their outcomes across various therapeutic targets to derive the best overall treatment plan for individuals with sleep apnea.
Methods: This literature review used public databases, such as PubMed and Embase, to gather various scientific resources on the etiologies of sleep apnea, diagnostic methods, common therapeutic targets, and outcomes. A comprehensive overview of the various treatment options, including CPAP, airway surgeries, hypoglossal nerve stimulation, and oral appliance therapy, was written. The relationship between each treatment and outcomes was assessed using multiple parameters, including AHI, quality of life, blood pressure, cardiovascular events, and neurocognition.
Results: Multiple sources indicate that CPAP lowers systolic blood pressure and improves quality-of-life markers. However, CPAP suffers from a low adherence rate (approximately 66%) and does not necessarily decrease cardiovascular events such as myocardial infarction. Adenotonsillectomy, hypoglossal nerve stimulation, and oral appliance therapy were all shown to lower AHI in multiple sources. Lifestyle changes such as exercise and smoking cessation also showed promise in lowering AHI and are an alternative to CPAP for some individuals.
Conclusion: There is no single treatment that will benefit every patient, and each individual should exhaust options with their provider. If a patient cannot adhere to CPAP, they can look to oral appliances or hypoglossal nerve stimulation. Providers should not overlook lifestyle modifications. Combining treatments, such as adenotonsillectomy and CPAP, has proven to be effective.