Update on the aetiopathogenesis of obstructive sleep apnea: Role of inflammatory and immune mediated mechanisms

Table 1 Multifactorial causes of obstructive sleep apnea

Anatomic factors	Nonanatomic factors	Functional factors	Miscellaneous
Micrognathia, retrognathia; facial elongation; mandibular hypoplasia; adenoid and tonsillar hypertrophy; inferior displacement of the hyoid	Central fat distribution; obesity, BMI > 30 kg/m2; advanced age; male gender; supine sleeping position; pregnancy	Impaired pharyngeal dilator muscle function; low respiratory arousal threshold; unstable control of breathing	Alcohol use; smoking; sedatives and hypnotics use; hereditary

BMI: Body mass index.