Promoting identification of obstructive sleep apnea among patients with psychiatric conditions

Abstract

Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is prevalent but remains underdiagnosed and undertreated. Recognizing OSA in patients with psychiatric disorders can be challenging due to the conditions' overlapping symptoms. To aid primary care NPs in identifying OSA among patients with psychiatric disorders, this article examines overlapping symptoms and outlines diagnostic reasoning. It also provides an overview of the anatomy and neurotransmitters involved in OSA, as well as OSA-specific screening tools and risk stratification, to promote the condition's identification among this population.