Obstructive sleep apnea is widely underdiagnosed, and its reach extends well past daytime fatigue into cardiovascular and metabolic health. Dr. Mary Talley Bowden covers what sharpens early identification, how to read the Apnea-Hypopnea Index and related measures, and what untreated OSA actually costs a patient over time. She then compares the treatment options, from CPAP to surgery to oral appliances, and folds in newer concepts like hypoxic burden so care can be matched to the individual rather than the average.

Learning objectives

By the end of this session, participants will be able to:

1. Apply knowledge of the epidemiology and risk factors of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) to improve early identification and risk stratification of patients in clinical practice.
2. Interpret the Apnea-Hypopnea Index (AHI) and related diagnostic measures to accurately classify OSA severity and inform evidence-based treatment decisions.
3. Evaluate the impact of OSA on cardiovascular and systemic health outcomes to support comprehensive risk assessment and multidisciplinary management.
4. Compare the effectiveness, indications, and limitations of OSA treatment modalities (CPAP, surgical interventions, oral appliances) to optimize individualized patient care.
5. Incorporate emerging concepts such as hypoxic burden and positional OSA into clinical decision-making to enhance personalized treatment strategies.