Year: 2026
Type: article
Study design: Systematic Review
Abstract: PURPOSE: Present an intriguing case of a man suffering of OSA who has a homozygous monochorionic twin. Made a systematic review of the literature to summarize existing data and the reported incidence of OSA in twins. METHODS: Case presentation and systematic literature review, according to the PRISMA guidelines about twins and Obstructive sleep Apnea. RESULTS: Our patient had a severe OSA condition with an Apnea Hypopnea index (AHI) of 57.6. This patient had a twin who did not suffer from sleep apnea and presented different oropharyngeal and endoscopic anatomical characteristics. Six eligible studies were identified investigating OSA or OSA-related traits in twins. All studies demonstrated higher concordance among monozygotic than dizygotic twins and substantial heritability estimates (40%-83%), particularly for AHI and ODI. However, non-shared environmental and anatomical factors accounted for considerable phenotypic variability. CONCLUSION: Despite the genetic factors related to the sleep apnea, differences in anatomical features and lifestyle could contributed to the different expression of OSA.
Authors: Giannicola Iannella, Andrea Collettini, Antonella Polimeni, Armando De Virgilio, Patrizia Mancini, Annalisa Pace, Antonino Maniaci, Jerome R. Lechien, Carlos-Miguel Chiesa-Estomba, Luigi A. Vaira, Salvatore Cocuzza, Alberto Caranti, Claudio Vicini, Manuele Casale, Antonio Moffa, Mario Giuseppe Bellizzi, Enrica Croce, Saverio Nicoletti, Francesco Dispenza, Giuseppe Magliulo
Institutions: Sapienza University of Rome, Università degli Studi di Enna Kore, University of Mons, Epicura, Donostiako Unibertsitate Ospitalea, University of Sassari, University of Catania, University of Ferrara, Università Campus Bio-Medico, Campus Bio Medico University Hospital, University of Palermo
Language: English
Subfield: Physiology
Field: Medicine
Domain: Health Sciences
Open Access status: gold
Estimated APC paid: $3,630
OpenAlex ID: W7204777943