Treating Sleep Apnea May Lower Parkinson’s Risk
🧠 What will you learn in this article?
This article highlights a new study that found that untreated obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) may increase the risk of developing Parkinson’s disease. It discusses:
- How up to 40% of people with Parkinson’s experience sleep apnea.
- People with untreated obstructed sleep apnea had nearly twice the risk of developing Parkinson's disease compared to those without OSA.
- Early continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) treatment in those with OSA significantly reduced the number of Parkinson's cases.
- Benefits of early CPAP use for people with Parkinson’s.
Sleep problems are a common non-movement symptom for people who live with Parkinson’s disease (PD). However, a new large-scale study reveals that untreated obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) may actually increase the risk of developing Parkinson’s disease in the first place, but treating it with continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) may help reduce that risk.
Up to 40% of people with Parkinson’s experience sleep apnea.
Obstructive sleep apnea is a condition where breathing repeatedly stops and starts during sleep due to a blocked or narrowed airway. This prevents the body from getting enough oxygen, disrupting sleep quality and putting stress on various organs, including the brain. An estimated 30 million Americans have OSA, though many remain undiagnosed.
Study Results
The study, published in JAMA Neurology, and led by researchers at Oregon Health & Science University and the Portland VA Health Care System analyzed electronic health records from veterans who received care through the Department of Veterans Affairs between 1999 and 2022.
Of the more than 11 million veterans included in the analysis, about 1.5 million (13.7%) had OSA. After adjusting for factors like age, obesity and cardiovascular conditions, the researchers found a strong link between untreated sleep apnea and Parkinson’s disease. Veterans with OSA showed 1.61 additional cases of Parkinson’s per 1,000 people at six years from OSA diagnosis compared to those without the condition. Compared to those without the condition, veterans with OSA were nearly twice as likely to develop Parkinson’s. The link between OSA and Parkinson’s was even more pronounced in female veterans.
OSA can be effectively treated using CPAP machines. Importantly, the study found that early CPAP treatment reduced the risk of developing Parkinson’s. Veterans who began CPAP use within two years of their diagnoses were about 30% less likely to develop Parkinson’s compared to those who didn’t use CPAP.
In addition, for those who did eventually get diagnosed with Parkinson’s, the study showed that using CPAP early after an OSA diagnosis was associated with a reduction in the rates of falls, fractures and mortality.
Highlights
- The study analyzed health records of more than 11 million U.S. veterans over a 23-year period.
- People with untreated obstructed sleep apnea had nearly twice the risk of developing Parkinson's disease compared to those without OSA.
- The link between OSA and Parkinson's risk was even stronger in female veterans.
- Early CPAP treatment in those with OSA significantly reduced the number of Parkinson's cases.
- For those who developed Parkinson’s, early CPAP use was linked to reduced risk of falls, fractures, and mortality.
What Does This Mean?
This research suggests that obstructive sleep apnea may be a modifiable risk factor for Parkinson’s disease — meaning it can potentially be treated. It is important to note that the results of this study are correlations; the study did not prove that sleep apnea causes Parkinson’s, or that CPAP can prevent the development of Parkinson’s. However, the links between OSA, CPAP use, and Parkinson’s highlight the importance of diagnosing and managing sleep disorders early.
Additionally, these results support similar findings from the dementia field, in which a study found that CPAP treatment of OSA was associated with reduced odds of developing dementia.
OSA is extremely common and underdiagnosed. The Global Burden of Obstructive Sleep Apnea study found OSA to be a widespread concern “estimated to affect nearly 936 million adults aged between 30 and 69 worldwide.” Because of how widespread OSA is, linking it to Parkinson’s means there is a large opportunity to reduce risk and improve outcomes through better detection and treatment.
What Do These Findings Mean for People with Parkinson’s Right Now?
While this research does not change day-to-day treatment for people already living with Parkinson’s, it reinforces the importance of addressing sleep problems, which are already common in Parkinson’s.
Poor sleep can worsen movement and non-movement symptoms, affect quality of life and impact overall health. Research continues to link sleep apnea with negative health outcomes. If you experience symptoms of sleep apnea, such as loud snoring, gasping during sleep or excessive daytime fatigue, talk to your doctor. A sleep study can determine if you have OSA, and treatments like CPAP can help improve your sleep quality and potentially support your overall health.
Learn More
The Parkinson’s Foundation believes in empowering the Parkinson’s community through education. Learn more about PD and sleep through our resources below, or by calling our free Helpline at 1-800-4PD-INFO (1-800-473-4636) for answers to your Parkinson’s questions.
