Obstructive Sleep Apnea with COVID-19.

ABSTRACT

The novel coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) and the ensuing pandemic have greatly impacted the global healthcare system due to its high infectiousness, associated high mortality, and a complete lack of immunity in the population. Globally, the COVID-19 pandemic has unleashed a health crisis that has not only seriously disrupted people's lives but also affected their normal sleep, along with physical and mental health; this situation is especially exacerbated in people suffering from pre-existing conditions, such as sleep apnea. A recent meta-analysis of 18 studies by Miller et al. (September 2020) showed that obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is related to higher mortality and morbidity in patients with COVID-19 and is most likely independent of other risk factors. A recent meta-analysis indicated that COVID-19 patients with OSA are more severely affected than those without OSA, thereby providing further evidence that concurrent OSA may elevate the severity of COVID-19 infection, along with the risk of mortality. The COVID-19 pandemic has significantly impacted the diagnosis and therapeutic management of patients with OSA. Thus, it is necessary to identify and develop new diagnostic and therapeutic avenues in the future. In this context, the current study summarizes known associations between COVID-19 and OSA and the regular diagnostic and therapeutic strategies for OSA in the light of COVID-19 pandemic prevention and control.