Understanding The Complex Link Between Obstructive Sleep Apnoea And Clinical Depression: Risk Factors, Mechanisms And Effects Of Treatment

Obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA) is a common sleep disorder that can cause adverse daytime effects, including depression, which is more prevalent in people with OSA compared to the general population. Treatment of OSA has been shown to improve depressive symptoms, suggesting a possible link between the two conditions. However, it is unclear whether treating OSA in patients with comorbid clinical depression can improve their depressive symptoms. This chapter paper examines the association between OSA and depression, reviews current literature on the efficacy of continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) therapy and surgery for OSA in improving depression diagnosis and symptoms, and reducing antidepressant use. The chapter also explores possible psychological, biological and neurological mechanisms that link OSA and clinical depression, including abnormal neural pathways. The findings suggest that more research is necessary to determine how treating OSA can improve mood in patients with clinical depression, potentially leading to novel approaches for managing and treating depression in people with sleep-disordered breathing.