Urological manifestations of obstructive sleep apnoea and their clinical utility in screening.

BACKGROUND: The cardiovascular outcomes of obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA) are well understood. The effects of OSA on the urological system are emerging and they have the potential to impact quality of life and patient outcomes.

OBJECTIVE: This article aims to strengthen the connection between OSA and urological complaints, summarise their response to CPAP treatment and discuss their clinical utility in OSA.

DISCUSSION: Common urological complaints associated with OSA are nocturnal polyuria, overactive bladder symptoms and erectile dysfunction. Urinary symptoms are thought to be related to recurrent hypoxic episodes and have a significant impact on quality of life. Multiple studies report that urological symptoms and quality of life improve with CPAP treatment. However, current OSA screening questionnaires rely heavily on cardiorespiratory symptoms and specific risk factors that are not present in all OSA population subgroups. We review data that support clinicians incorporating urological symptoms when screening for OSA.