O bstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is characterized by recurring episodes of cessation (apnea) or reduction (hypopnea) in airflow during sleep caused by obstruction of the upper airway. In recent population-based studies, the estimated prevalence of moderate to severe sleep-disordered breathing ranges from 3% to nearly 50% depending on age group and sex. A survey conducted by the Public Health Agency of Canada in 2009 found that 26% of Canadian adults reported symptoms and risk factors that are associated with a high risk of OSA; 3 however, prevalence data in Canada are limited by the absence of studies using objective sleep testing. ]
Laratta et al. (Sun,) studied this question.