Obstructive Sleep Apnea Dramatically Improves After Kidney Transplantation in End-Stage Renal Disease: A Case Report

Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is prevalent among patients with end-stage renal disease (ESRD), but documented improvements following kidney transplantation are rare. We present a case of a 51-year-old male with ESRD on peritoneal dialysis who suffered from severe OSA that was resistant to multiple positive airway pressure (PAP) therapies. Sixteen months after his OSA diagnosis, he underwent kidney transplantation, which led to a marked and sustained resolution of his OSA symptoms. Follow-up polysomnography indicated a reduction in OSA severity from severe to mild. This case supports the hypothesis that renal dysfunction plays a direct role in the development of OSA and suggests that restoring renal function can lead to remission. It also highlights the limitations of PAP therapy in ESRD patients and underscores the influence of systemic factors on sleep-disordered breathing.