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Where does Allergy Management Fit in Obstructive Sleep Apnea?

  • Otolaryngic Allergy (M Platt and C Brook, Section Editors)
  • Published:
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Abstract

Purpose of the review

Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) and allergic rhinitis (AR) are common airway disorders which often coexist. The effect of nasal allergy symptoms and treatment for AR on sleep parameters and OSA has been studied. The purpose of this review is to present recent data on the role of allergy management on the treatment of OSA.

Recent findings

Recent literature supports the use of second-generation antihistamines, intranasal corticosteroids and/ or immunotherapy to reduce the inflammatory conditions in the nose, reduce nasal resistance and improve CPAP use. The impact of allergic rhinitis on sleep testing is unknown and may worsen the diagnosis of OSA, resulting in false positive and false negative results. A meta-analysis of recent surgical literature found that correction of nasal deformities and reduction of nasal resistance through nasal surgical interventions resulted in reduced nasal resistance and improved compliance of nasal CPAP.

Summary

The complex relationship between OSA and allergic rhinitis has been examined. Patients with OSA benefit from recognition of AR and treatment of the nasal airway for improved CPAP compliance and airway inflammation.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Northeast Montana ENT Services, Sidney Health Center, Sidney, USA

    Douglas Dawson

  2. Department of Otolaryngology/Head and Surgery, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, USA

    Matthew Patterson

  3. Total ENT Care, Baltimore, USA

    Alpen Patel

  4. Augusta Aiken ENT and Allergy, Augusta, USA

    Christopher Vickery

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Correspondence to Douglas Dawson.

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Alpen Patel reports: Past President of American Academy of Otolaryngic Allergy. The other authors declare that they have no conflict of interest.

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Dawson, D., Patterson, M., Patel, A. et al. Where does Allergy Management Fit in Obstructive Sleep Apnea?. Curr Otorhinolaryngol Rep 10, 285–290 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1007/s40136-022-00405-6

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