Smoking, snoring and obstructive sleep apnea.

Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), with an apnea/hypopnea index (AHI) > or =5 events per hour, is recognized as an important cause of medical morbidity and mortality, being associated with a wide range of significant medical consequences, including arterial hypertension, cardiovascular diseases, metabolic diseases, neurological diseases and psychological effects. Tobacco smoking is considered a predisposing factor for pulmonary and cardiovasculary diseases and a risk factor for developing OSA. Since snoring is frequent in smokers and a common symptom, even a preclinical form of OSA, it is reasonable to speculate that smoking is an independent risk factor for snoring and may be associated with OSA. Current studies have observed there is a synergistic effect between smoking and OSA, both increasing the risk of cardiovascular disease through oxidative stress, endothelial dysfunction and abnormal inflammatory response. OSA, itself could be responsible for nicotine addiction.