Sleep Apnea in Sickle Cell Disease

Despite the fact that obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA) is highly prevalent in the sickle cell population, studies focusing on the associations of the two diseases and their common pathophysiological mechanisms are scarce. OSA is one of the most common conditions responsible for hemoglobin desaturation. The nocturnal hemoglobin desaturation occurring in some sickle cell disease (SCD) patients with OSA could trigger hemoglobin S polymerization and red blood cell (RBC) sickling, leading to further blood rheological alterations, hence increasing the risks for VOC. Moreover, OSA has been demonstrated to increase oxidative stress and inflammation in non Sickle Cell Disease (SCD) patients, which, in SCD patients, could increase the risk for complications. Finally, OSA is accompanied by impaired vascular function and autonomic nervous system dysfunction in the general population. Indeed, the presence of OSA in SCD could increase the clinical severity of patients and the frequency of VOC.