Q: What is "Z Syndrome"?


Answer: "Z Syndrome" is a metabolic syndrome (“syndrome X”), associated with sleep disturbances. It is a cluster of 5 components.

• insulin resistance,
• obesity,
• hypertension,
• dyslipidemia, and
• Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA)

Clinical Significance: Treating OSA eliminates recurrent episodes of hypoxaemia and the haemodynamic and respiratory stresses. In ICU these patients may benefit from application of nocturnal CPAP mask.