Obstructive Sleep Apnea and COVID-19 Infection Comorbidity: Analysis of the Problem in the Age Aspect

Abstract

In the literature, there are suggestions of a possible mutual influence between obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) and the novel coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).The aim of this review is to analyze data found in the literature related to pathogenetic aspects of the impact of OSA on COVID-19, and vice versa, and features of the course of this comorbidity in both adulthood and childhood. Information was searched in MEDLINE, PubMed, EBSCO, and RSCI databases, which presented some data for the connection between COVID-19 and OSA, as well as aspects of OSA and COVID-19 comorbidity for adults and the elderly. The common pathophysiological pathways leading to increased systemic inflammation and adverse consequences of OSA and COVID-19 infection do coexist and were revealed in detail. We paid special attention to aspects of this comorbidity in children, and found that research in this area was lacking. Based on this information, it should be concluded that: 1) more pediatric studies of links between OSA and COVID-19 are urgently needed; 2) screening hospitalized COVID-19 patients with tools to detect OSA could identify those at risk for a severe course of these diseases and adverse outcomes; 3) treating OSA will allow increasing the likelihood of developing a robust and long-lasting post-COVID-19 adaptive immunity in these patients.

Keywords

• obstructive sleep apnea
• covid-19
• comorbidity
• pathogenesis
• adults
• children