Progress in the pathogenesis and treatment of rheumatoid arthritis with sleep apnea hypopnea syndrome

Objective:Sleep apnea hypopnea syndrome (SAHS) is a common sleep disorder, which is manifested as a reduction in tidal volume or apnea during sleep, which results in intermittent hypoxia and tissue hypoxia and induces oxidative stress and inflammatory responses. Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a systemic disease contributing to hyperplasia of synovial membrane, cartilage erosion and joint damage. Fibroblast like synoviocytes (FLS), which make up the lining of the synovial membrane, are believed to play a role in the pathogenesis of RA. RA is a series of inflammation-like responses that induce joint damage and dysfunction and impair patients' life quality. This article first introduced the basic features of RA and analyzes the pathogenesis of RA with SAHS. Then the relationship between RA and SAHS was investigated. Finally, the progress in the treatment for RA with SAHS was reviewed emphatically.