Disparities in Sleep-Disordered Breathing: Upstream Risk Factors, Mechanisms, and Implications

Clin Chest Med. 2023 Sep;44(3):585-603. doi: 10.1016/j.ccm.2023.03.012. Epub 2023 May 8.

Abstract

Sleep-disordered breathing (SDB) refers to a spectrum of disorders ranging from habitual snoring without frank episodes of obstructed breathing or desaturation during sleep to obstructive sleep apnea, where apneas and hypopneas repetitively occur with resultant intermittent hypoxia, arousal, and sleep disruption. Disparities in SDB reflect its overall high prevalence in children and adults from racially and ethnically minoritized or low socioeconomic status backgrounds coupled with high rates of underdiagnosis and suboptimal treatment.

Keywords: Adult; Disparities; Interventions; Mechanisms; Mediators; Pediatrics; Sleep health; Sleep-disordered breathing.

Publication types

  • Review
  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Child
  • Humans
  • Prevalence
  • Risk Factors
  • Sleep Apnea Syndromes* / epidemiology
  • Sleep Apnea Syndromes* / therapy
  • Sleep Apnea, Obstructive* / complications
  • Sleep Apnea, Obstructive* / epidemiology
  • Sleep Apnea, Obstructive* / therapy
  • Snoring / complications
  • Snoring / etiology