Recent studies have shown that untreated obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is associated with an increased risk of heart attack and stroke . However, the relationship between OSA and the risk of Parkinson’s disease (PD) remains unclear. To explore this connection, a preliminary study has investigated the association and the impact of continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) therapy on PD by analyzing data from 1.6 million veterans with OSA and nearly 10 million veterans without the condition.
After adjusting for age, sex, and health factors such as smoking, the study found 1.8 more cases of PD per 1,000 individuals with OSA compared to those without OSA. Remarkably, patients who initiated CPAP therapy within two years of diagnosis had a lower incidence of the disease, with 2.3 fewer cases per 1,000 individuals compared to those who did not use CPAP. These findings suggest that OSA may…
