Effect of Body Posture on Pharyngeal Shape and Size in Adults With and Without Obstructive Sleep Apnea

• Published in: Sleep (New York, N.Y.) Vol. 31; no. 11; pp. 1543 - 1549
• Main Authors: Walsh, Jennifer H., Leigh, Matthew S., Paduch, Alexandre, Maddison, Kathleen J., Armstrong, Julian J., Sampson, David D., Hillman, David R., Eastwood, Peter R.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Rochester, MN American Academy of Sleep Medicine 01.11.2008; Associated Professional Sleep Societies, LLC
• Subjects: Anthropometry; Behavioral psychophysiology; Biological and medical sciences; Body Mass Index; Cross-Sectional Studies; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; Humans; Male; Medical sciences; Middle Aged; Oropharynx - anatomy & histology; Oropharynx - physiopathology; Palate, Soft - anatomy & histology; Palate, Soft - physiopathology; Pharynx - anatomy & histology; Pharynx - physiopathology; Pneumology; Polysomnography; Posture; Posturnal Association with Sleep Apnea; Psychology. Psychoanalysis. Psychiatry; Psychology. Psychophysiology; Respiratory system : syndromes and miscellaneous diseases; Severity of Illness Index; Sleep Apnea, Obstructive - diagnosis; Sleep Apnea, Obstructive - physiopathology; Human; Nervous system diseases; Sleep apnea syndrome; Respiratory disease; Adult; Body; Comparative study; Posture

In patients with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), the severity and frequency of respiratory events is increased in the supine body posture compared with the lateral recumbent posture. The mechanism responsible is not clear but may relate to the effect of posture on upper airway shape and size. This st...