OSA and CPAP in Older Patients—When to Treat?

The aim of this review is to synthesize the current evidence on obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA) in elderly subjects and to describe recent findings on the studies that have investigated the effects of CPAP treatment in elderly subjects. OSA is highly prevalent at advanced age, and its clinical presentation and impact in aged patients seem to differ from those in middle-aged subjects. Nevertheless, there are very few studies on the management of OSA in this age group, and indications of continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) treatment are generally based on results extrapolated from studies performed on young adults. In recent years, some observational studies and clinical trials focused on elderly individuals have been published and shed light on the role of CPAP treatment in elderly individuals. OSA is one of the most common respiratory disorders and is an important public health problem whose prevalence is expected to further increase in the coming years. Approximately one-third of the population over 65 years of age has moderate to severe OSA. Scientific evidence about OSA in the elderly and the effects of CPAP treatment are limited, there are still many questions that need to be answered.