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Abstract

Literature review Obstructive sleep apnoea is a condition involving intermittent collapse of the pharynx, usually at the level of soft palate, causing episodes of apnoea during sleep 1. Muscle tone declines during sleep and thus, upper airway dilating muscles are unable to maintain pharyngeal patency. In severe cases, the patient wakes up briefly multiple times during the night to allow dilating muscles to reopen the airway 2. This results in severe sleep fragmentation leading to symptoms such as daytime somnolence (assessed by Epworth sleepiness scale), morning headaches and decreased cognitive performance. Polysomnography is the gold standard investigation to diagnose obstructive sleep apnoea. This involves monitoring of oxygen saturation, airflow at the nose and mouth, ECG, EMG, chest and abdominal movement during sleep 1. The occurrence of 15 or more episodes of apnoea or hypopnoea during 1 hour of sleep indicates significant sleep apnoea. 3