Screening tools for obstructive sleep apnea with applicability in pharmacy practice

Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) as the most common sleep disorder, is associated with increased morbidity and mortality from cardiovascular diseases and traffic injuries. Sleep disorders, particularly those resulting from sleep apnea, despite their significant health and financial burden, are poorly recognized, often underdiagnosed, and ineffectively managed. Screening, diagnosing, and adequately treating OSA requires multidisciplinary teamwork and an individualized approach to patients with sleep disorders. Pharmacists, as some of the most accessible health professionals integrated into interdisciplinary teams, can provide complementary clinical (pharmacy) services for screening, health education, monitoring, and management of sleep disorders and OSA.