Obstructive sleep apnea and epilepsy comorbidity: possible complications and treatment options

Epilepsy is one of the most prevalent neurological disorders, affecting approximately 50 million individuals globally. Sleep plays a crucial role in the progression of epilepsy, particularly concerning serious complications such as Sudden Unexpected Death in Epilepsy (SUDEP). The sleep patterns of individuals with epilepsy can be significantly disrupted by obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), which affects around 40% of adult epilepsy patients. The most effective treatment for OSA is continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP). Additionally, carbonic anhydrase inhibitors, commonly used to manage focal epileptic seizures, have shown beneficial effects on obstructive sleep apnea, rendering them a viable pharmacological alternative for treating OSA in epilepsy patients. This effect is most pronounced for sultiame.