Obstructive sleep apnea and depression: A review

Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is a common sleep disorder associated with several medical conditions, increased rates of motor vehicle accidents, and higher overall health care expenditure. There is a higher prevalence of depression in people with sleep-disordered breathing in clinical and community samples. Depression and OSA share many symptoms, which may explain the underdiagnosis of OSA in depressed patients. OSA may be responsible for treatment resistance in depression. The relationship between depression and OSA is complex and remains unclear; however, several pathophysiologic mechanisms could be involved. Increased understanding of the relationship between these two disorders will likely improve clinical outcomes.