2022 Volume 39 Issue 4 Pages 554-557
Stroke is the leading cause of severe, long–term disability and death in Japan. Its incidence and prevalence are expected to increase significantly with aging of the population. Obstructive sleep apnea is an independent risk factor of stroke and has a high prevalence in stroke patients. However, the effects of continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) therapy on obstructive sleep apnea after stroke are uncertain, and the subgroup of patients who benefit from CPAP therapy need to be identified.
The relationships between stroke onset and sleep–related diseases other than sleep apnea (e.g., restless legs syndrome and rapid eye movement [REM] sleep behavior disorder) have attracted significant attention, and elucidation of the underlying pathophysiology may provide a new target for stroke prevention. In addition, self–reported short and long sleep times are associated with stroke onset ; this association is particularly strong for long sleep time, which is a marker of chronic illness.
Conversely, sleep–disordered breathing, insomnia, restless legs syndrome, and REM sleep behavior disorder may result in cerebrovascular accidents.
The future challenges for stroke and sleep medicine include thoroughly investigating new treatment strategies for primary and secondary stroke prevention, and establish systematic treatment guidelines.
