central sleep apnoea

Sleep apnoea is a global health problem with significant morbidity. Obesity is a well-known risk factor for this condition, however chronic intake of opioids as a risk factor for central sleep apnoea is under-recognised. We report a case of a 47-year-old man who developed significant sleep-disordered breathing secondary to opioid use for chronic pain. A sleep study  demonstrated a picture of complex sleep apnoea with a prominent central sleep apnoea component. He had no significant improvement with conventional continuous positive airway pressure therapy.