THE MULTIFACTORIAL ETIOLOGY OF OBSTRUCTIVE SLEEP APNEA

Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is a condition that affects hundreds of millions of people worldwide. The direct and indirect costs associated with the treatment of OSA and its complications place a significant burden on healthcare systems. It is estimated that a large proportion of individuals remain undiagnosed, and the available treatment options often fail to produce satisfactory outcomes. In addition to the long-term, potentially serious complications, patients frequently struggle with daily symptoms that substantially reduce their quality of life. At present, it is crucial to raise awareness among specialists across various medical fields and involve them in the diagnostic process. All of this is intended to restore patients’ quality of life and protect them from long-term complications. This paper is based on an analysis of research articles: original papers, review papers and clinical cases published on PubMed between 2020 and 2025. Its aim is to highlight the complex etiology of OSA and the resulting diagnostic and therapeutic opportunities, which should involve multidisciplinary collaboration. Such an approach allows for personalized treatment strategies, better aligned with individual variability, and offers the best possible therapeutic outcomes for each patient.