This series of articles, published in Multidisciplinary Respiratory Medicine, provides the newest research and comprehensive background information on obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS), an underdiagnosed chronic disease characterized by recurrent episodes of apneas and hypopneas during sleep, associated with repetitive episodes of intermittent hypoxemia, intrathoracic pressure changes, arousals, and excessive daytime sleepiness. OSAS is considered as risk factor for cancer. Patients with untreated OSAS are at significantly increased risk of cardiovascular, metabolic, neurocognitive disease and motor vehicle accidents (MVAs). The European Commission recommended mandatory testing for OSAS, before a driver's license is granted or renewed. In Italy the Ministry of Health recognizes OSAS as a very important public health issue.
The articles aim to provide an up-to-date information on this topic.