Obstructive Sleep Apnea Associated with Higher Parkinson's Disease Risk: CPAP Therapy May Mitigate Threat

Recent research has established a connection between obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) and heightened vulnerability to Parkinson's disease, while also suggesting that early intervention with continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) therapy could diminish this risk. This preliminary study was presented at the American Academy of Neurology's 77th Annual Meeting.

Obstructive sleep apnea is characterized by the relaxation of throat muscles during sleep, which obstructs the airway and causes disturbed sleep patterns as individuals intermittently awaken to breathe. This disruption can lead to reduced oxygen levels in the brain. CPAP therapy involves delivering pressurized air through a mask to maintain open airways during sleep.

Study author Gregory D. Scott, MD, Ph.D., from the VA Portland Health Care System in Oregon, emphasized the significance of the findings, noting that untreated obstructive sleep apnea is well-documented as a risk factor for serious health issues like heart attack and stroke. This study highlights the urgent need for effective management strategies for sleep apnea to potentially lower the risk of developing Parkinson's disease.

The research analyzed over two decades of medical records, focusing on nearly 1.6 million veterans diagnosed with obstructive sleep apnea compared to approximately 10 million veterans without the condition. The team tracked the incidence of Parkinson's disease among these individuals. The results indicated that 3.4% of those with sleep apnea developed Parkinson's within five years, in contrast to 3.8% of the non-sleep apnea cohort.

Despite these initial findings, Scott cautioned that the figures may be influenced by factors such as age, smoking habits, and overall health status between the two groups.

Upon further analysis, the researchers examined the rates of Parkinson's disease following a diagnosis of sleep apnea, adjusting for variables like age, gender, and health conditions, including smoking. They discovered that individuals with obstructive sleep apnea had 1.8 additional cases of Parkinson's disease per 1,000 people compared to those without the disorder.

Among the sleep apnea participants, only 10% were documented as CPAP users. These users were categorized into two groups based on when they started therapy: those who began CPAP within two years of their diagnosis and those who began after that period. The findings revealed that the rate of Parkinson's disease among those who started CPAP later was comparable to that of non-users. However, participants who commenced CPAP therapy early displayed a significant reduction in the incidence of Parkinson's, with 2.3 fewer cases per 1,000 individuals compared to non-CPAP users.

Scott expressed optimism regarding these results, stating that while obstructive sleep apnea may elevate Parkinson's disease risk, proactive treatment with CPAP can potentially lower that risk. He emphasized the necessity for future studies to closely monitor individuals post-sleep apnea diagnosis over extended durations.

A noted limitation of the study is that while the researchers could identify individuals with access to CPAP devices, they could not ascertain whether these devices were used consistently as directed.