Longitudinal study of moderate weight change and sleep-disordered breathing

Perioperative management of Obstructive Sleep Apnoea: Present themes and future directions

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

Obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA) is an increasingly common pathology that all those involved in perioperative care will come across. Patients with the condition present a challenge at many stages along the perioperative journey, not least because many patients living with OSA are unaware of their diagnosis.Key interventions can be made pre, intra-, and postoperatively to improve outcomes. Knowledge of screening tools, diagnostic tests, and the raft of treatment options are important for anyone caring for these patients.

RECENT FINDINGS

Recent literature has highlighted the increasing complexity of surgical patients and significant underdiagnosis of OSA in this patient population. Work has demonstrated how and why patients with OSA are at a higher perioperative risk and that effective positive airways pressure (PAP) therapy can reduce these risks, alongside evidencing how best to optimise adherence to therapy, a key issue in OSA.

SUMMARY

OSA, and particularly undiagnosed OSA, presents a huge problem in the perioperative period. Perioperative PAP reduces the risk of postoperative complications but adherence remains an issue. Bespoke perioperative pathways should be developed to identify and optimise high risk patients, although at present evidence on how best to achieve this is lacking.

Upper Airway Surgery or Weight Control? Modified Drug-Induced Sleep Endoscopy for Obstructive Sleep Apnea

OBJECTIVE

To identify the value of head rotation in the supine position and oral appliance (OA) use in drug-induced sleep endoscopy (DISE).

STUDY DESIGN

Eighty-three sleep apnea adults undergoing target-controlled infusion-DISE (TCI-DISE) were recruited from a tertiary academic medical center.

SETTING

During DISE, 4 positions were utilized: supine position (position 1), head rotation (position 2), mandibular advancement using an OA (position 3), and head rotation with an OA (position 4).

METHODS

Polysomnography (PSG) data and anthropometric variables during DISE were analyzed.

RESULTS

Eighty-three patients (65 men and 18 women; mean [standard deviation, SD], 48.5 [11.0] years) who underwent PSG and TCI-DISE were included. The mean (SD) apnea-hypopnea index (AHI) was 35.5 (22.4) events/h. Twenty-three patients had persistent complete concentric velopharyngeal collapse in the supine position, even with concurrent head rotation and OA (position 4). Their mean (SD) AHI was 54.7 (24.6) events/h, significantly higher than that of the 60 patients without such collapse in position 4 (p < .001). Their mean (SD) body mass index (BMI) was 29.0 (4.1) kg/m2 , also significantly higher (p = .005). After adjustment for age, BMI, tonsil size, and tongue position, the degree of velum and tongue base obstruction was significantly associated with sleep apnea severity in positions 2, 3, and 4.

CONCLUSION

We showed the feasibility, safety, and usefulness of using simple edge-to-edge, reusable OA in DISE. Patients who are not responsive to head rotation and OA during TCI-DISE may need upper airway surgery and/or weight control.

The firstly visited department affects the acceptance of CPAP in patients with obstructive sleep apnea: a cohort study

BACKGROUND

Continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) therapy is the first-line treatment for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). However, the low acceptance rate of CPAP remains a challenging clinical issue. This study aimed to determine the factors that influence the acceptance rate of CPAP.

METHODS

This retrospective cohort study was conducted at the sleep center of Shuang-Ho Hospital. Initially, 1186 OSA patients who received CPAP therapy between December 2013 and December 2017 were selected, and finally, 1016 patients were analyzed. All patients with OSA received CPAP therapy for at least 1 week, and their acceptance to treatment was subsequently recorded. Outcome measures included patients' demographic and clinical characteristics (sex, age, BMI, comorbidities, history of smoking, and the medical specialist who prescribed CPAP treatment), polysomnography (PSG) results, and OSA surgical records.

RESULTS

Patients with a lower CPAP acceptance rate were referred from otolaryngologists (acceptance rate of otolaryngology vs. others: 49.6% vs. 56.6%, p = .015), in addition to having a lower apnea-hypopnea index (AHI) (acceptance vs. non-acceptance: 55.83 vs. 40.79, p = .003), rapid eye movement AHI (REM-AHI) (acceptance vs. non-acceptance: 51.21 vs. 44.92, p = .014), and arousal index (acceptance vs. non-acceptance: 36.80 vs. 28.75, p = .011). The multiple logistic regression model showed that patients referred from otolaryngology had a lower CPAP acceptance rate (odds ratio 0.707, p = .0216) even after adjusting for age, sex, BMI, AHI, REM-AHI, arousal index, comorbidities, and smoking status.

CONCLUSIONS

Before their initial consultation, patients may already have their preferred treatment of choice, which is strongly linked to the type of medical specialists they visit, and consequently, affects their rate of acceptance to CPAP therapy. Therefore, physicians should provide personalized care to patients by exploring and abiding by their preferred treatment choices.

Revisiting Asthma Obstructive Sleep Apnea Overlap: Current Knowledge and Future Needs

Asthma and obstructive sleep apnea are highly prevalent conditions with a high cost burden. In addition to shared risk factors, existing data suggest a bidirectional relationship between asthma and OSA, where each condition can impact the other. Patients with asthma often complain of sleep fragmentation, nocturnal asthma symptoms, daytime sleepiness, and snoring. The prevalence of OSA increases with asthma severity, as evidenced by multiple large studies. Asthma may lower the threshold for arousal in OSA, resulting in the hypopnea with arousal phenotype. Epidemiologic studies in adults have shown that OSA is associated with worse asthma severity, increased frequency of exacerbation, and poor quality of life. The current literature assessing the relationship among OSA, asthma, and CPAP therapy is heavily dependent on observational studies. There is a need for randomized controlled trials to minimize the interference of confounding shared risk factors.

The Sleepiness-Depression Link in Obstructive Sleep Apnea: Preliminary Results on the Mediation of Impulsivity

BACKGROUND

Emotional impulsivity has been found to be relevant in explaining the association between sleep problems and depressive symptoms, suggesting the potential role of impulsivity as a key underlying mechanism of this link. The objective of this study was to take a preliminary step in understanding the mediating role of impulsivity in the relation between excessive daytime sleepiness (EDS) and depression in patients with obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS) and to compare psychological and demographic characteristics between different levels of daytime sleepiness.

METHODS

A total of 138 patients with OSAS underwent polygraphic cardiorespiratory monitoring and completed a series of questionnaires investigating perceived sleepiness, depression, impulsivity, and other psychological characteristics. A mediational model was tested in order to assess whether impulsivity mediated the relation between sleepiness and depressive symptoms while controlling for the effects of age, sex, BMI, and oxygen saturation parameters.

RESULTS

the mediation model showed that there was a significant indirect effect of impulsivity in the sleepiness-depression link (αβ = 0.084 [0.0243-0.1617]).

CONCLUSIONS

The here-presented results showed that the sleepiness-depression link is not direct as previous studies asserted, but instead it may be better explained by impulsivity. Research and practical implications are discussed.

Adherence to CPAP Treatment and the Risk of Recurrent Cardiovascular Events: A Meta-Analysis

Importance

The effect of continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) on secondary cardiovascular disease prevention is highly debated.

Objective

To assess the effect of CPAP treatment for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) on the risk of adverse cardiovascular events in randomized clinical trials.

Data Sources

PubMed (MEDLINE), EMBASE, Current Controlled Trials: metaRegister of Controlled Trials, ISRCTN Registry, European Union clinical trials database, CENTRAL (Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials), and ClinicalTrials.gov databases were systematically searched through June 22, 2023.

Study Selection

For qualitative and individual participant data (IPD) meta-analysis, randomized clinical trials addressing the therapeutic effect of CPAP on cardiovascular outcomes and mortality in adults with cardiovascular disease and OSA were included.

Data Extraction and Synthesis

Two reviewers independently screened records, evaluated potentially eligible primary studies in full text, extracted data, and cross-checked errors. IPD were requested from authors of the selected studies (SAVE [NCT00738179], ISAACC [NCT01335087], and RICCADSA [NCT00519597]).

Main Outcomes and Measures

One-stage and 2-stage IPD meta-analyses were completed to estimate the effect of CPAP treatment on risk of recurrent major adverse cardiac and cerebrovascular events (MACCEs) using mixed-effect Cox regression models. Additionally, an on-treatment analysis with marginal structural Cox models using inverse probability of treatment weighting was fitted to assess the effect of good adherence to CPAP (≥4 hours per day).

Results

A total of 4186 individual participants were evaluated (82.1% men; mean [SD] body mass index, 28.9 [4.5]; mean [SD] age, 61.2 [8.7] years; mean [SD] apnea-hypopnea index, 31.2 [17] events per hour; 71% with hypertension; 50.1% receiving CPAP [mean {SD} adherence, 3.1 {2.4} hours per day]; 49.9% not receiving CPAP [usual care], mean [SD] follow-up, 3.25 [1.8] years). The main outcome was defined as the first MACCE, which was similar for the CPAP and no CPAP groups (hazard ratio, 1.01 [95% CI, 0.87-1.17]). However, an on-treatment analysis by marginal structural model revealed a reduced risk of MACCEs associated with good adherence to CPAP (hazard ratio, 0.69 [95% CI, 0.52-0.92]).

Conclusions and Relevance

Adherence to CPAP was associated with a reduced MACCE recurrence risk, suggesting that treatment adherence is a key factor in secondary cardiovascular prevention in patients with OSA.

Systematic review and meta-analysis of the prevalence of obstructive sleep apnea in Indian adults

Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is a common sleep disorder associated with considerable morbidity. However, there is an underrepresentation of data from India and other developing countries in global reviews of OSA prevalence. This systematic review and meta-analysis examined the prevalence of OSA in India. The MEDLINE, Embase, and Scopus databases were searched for articles that reported the prevalence of OSA in the general Indian adult population using sleep studies. Eight studies were included comprising 11,009 subjects with mean age ranging from 35.5 to 47.8 years. On the Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI) checklist for prevalence studies, the study quality ranged from 3/9 to 9/9. Meta-analysis was performed using the random-effects model. The pooled prevalence of OSA (AHI ≥5 events/hour) was 11% overall (95% CI: 7%-15%; I2 = 98.0%, p<0.001), 13% in males (95% CI: 7%-18%; I2 = 96.0%, p<0.001), and 5% in females (95% CI: 3%-7%; I2 = 73.3%, p = 0.01). The pooled prevalence of moderate-to-severe OSA (AHI ≥15 events/hour) was 5% (95% CI: 2%-8%, I2 = 95.3%; p = 0.01). Based on these findings, approximately 104 million Indians of working age suffer from OSA, of whom 47 million have moderate-to-severe OSA. This represents a major public health problem in India with important implications for the global burden of the disease.

Longitudinal risk factors for obstructive sleep apnea: A systematic review

Despite substantial disease burden, existing evidence on the risk factors for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) have been derived primarily from cross-sectional studies without determining temporality. Therefore, we aimed to systematically synthesize the literature on longitudinal risk factors for sleep study-assessed OSA and questionnaire-assessed probable OSA from cohort studies in the general adult population settings. We systematically searched Embase and Medline (on OVID) databases. Eleven studies met the inclusion criteria. Meta-analyses were not conducted due to methodological heterogeneity of exposure and outcome measurements. There was consistent evidence that weight gain was associated with incident (n = 2) and greater severity (n = 2) of OSA. One study each observed an association of higher baseline body-mass index, male sex, asthma, a specific genetic polymorphism in rs12415421, and insulin resistance/hyperglycemia, with incident OSA. Long-term exposure to ambient air pollution (NO2, n = 1) was associated with OSA, and menopausal transitions (n = 1) with higher apnea-hypopnea index. There were no eligible studies on long-term smoking or alcohol use. In conclusion, approximately 10% increase in weight, especially in males, might alert clinicians to consider potential or worsening OSA. Large, well-designed longitudinal studies are needed to consolidate knowledge on other associations with OSA development, especially on potentially modifiable risk factors.

Nomogram to diagnosis of obstructive sleep apnoea-hypopnoea syndrome in high-risk Chinese adult patients

INTRODUCTION

Many scales are designed to screen for obstructive sleep apnoea-hypopnoea syndrome (OSAHS); however, there is a lack of an efficiently and easily diagnostic tool, especially for Chinese. Therefore, we conduct a cross-sectional study in China to develop and validate an efficient and simple clinical diagnostic model to help screen patients at risk of OSAHS.

METHODS

This study based on 782 high-risk patients (aged >18 years) admitted to the Sleep Medicine department of the Sixth Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University from 2015 to 2021. Totally 34 potential predictors were evaluated. We divided all patients into training and validation dataset to develop diagnostic model. The univariable and multivariable logistic regression model were used to build model and nomogram was finally built.

RESULTS

Among 602 high-risk patients with median age of 46 (37, 56) years, 23.26% were women. After selecting using the univariate logistic model, 15 factors were identified. We further used the stepwise method to build the final model with five factors: age, BMI, total bilirubin levels, high Berlin score, and symptom of morning dry mouth or mouth breathing. The AUC was 0.780 (0.711, 0.848), with sensitivity of 0.848 (0.811, 0.885), specificity of 0.629 (0.509, 0.749), accuracy of 0.816 (0.779, 0.853). The discrimination ability had been verified in the validation dataset. Finally, we established a nomogram model base on the above final model.

CONCLUSION

We developed and validated a predictive model with five easily acquire factors to diagnose OSAHS patient in high-risk population with well discriminant ability. Accordingly, we finally build the nomogram model.

Body composition changes and their relationship with obstructive sleep apnoea symptoms, severity: The Sleeping Well Trial

BACKGROUND & AIMS

Obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA) and obesity share a complex bi-directional relationship as location of body fat and changes in regional body composition may be more important for OSA improvement than changes in total body weight only. The aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of a 6-month weight loss intervention for adults newly diagnosed with moderate-severe OSA and obesity on regional body composition. The secondary aims evaluated the relationship between changes in OSA symptoms and severity and anthropometry and regional body composition during the first 12-months after commencing CPAP and explored differences in outcomes between males and females.

METHODS

Participants (n = 59) received CPAP overnight at home alongside a 6-month modified fasting intervention with 12-months follow up. Regional body composition was measured by Dual X-ray absorptiometry, (DXA) and anthropometry before and after the lifestyle intervention. OSA severity was measured using the apnoea hypopnea index via overnight polysomnography and OSA symptoms were measured using the Epworth Sleepiness scale.

RESULTS

Forty-seven adults (74% male) had complete measures available with a mean age of 50.0 y (SD 11.0) and BMI 34.1 kg/m2 (SD 5.0). Following the intervention average fat mass changed by -5.27 kg (5.36), p < 0.001) and visceral adipose tissue (-0.63 kg (0.67), p < 0.001) significantly decreased in males only with a maintenance of fat-free mass (mean -0.41 kg (1.80), p = 0.18). Females (n = 12) had significant decreases in waist circumference (mean -3.36 cm (3.18) p < 0.01), android lean (-0.12 kg (0.04), p < 0.05) and android total mass (-0.28 kg (0.39), p < 0.05) only. Regional body composition changes in males were positively associated with improvements in OSA severity (p < 0.01) but not OSA symptoms.

CONCLUSION

Improvements in regional body composition were seen in males only which were related to improvements in OSA severity but not OSA symptoms. Females may exhibit different OSA pathophysiology and may require different treatment approaches.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

https://www.anzctr.org.au/Trial/Registration/TrialReview.aspx?id=369975&isReview=trueAACTRN12616000203459 ACTRN12616000203459.

Integrative Approach to Managing Obstructive Sleep Apnea

Conventional therapies for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), including CPAP and oral appliances, offer the best opportunity for symptomatic improvement and reduction in OSA overall health impact. Integrative medicine brings conventional and complementary approaches together in a coordinated way. With rising obesity rates, weight loss and lifestyle programs seem to be the most favorable integrative methods to combine with conventional OSA therapies. Complementary and integrative approaches to OSA management are varied and, in conjunction with conventional methods, may offer some reduction in the apnea-hypopnea index.

Disparities in Sleep-Disordered Breathing: Upstream Risk Factors, Mechanisms, and Implications

Sleep-disordered breathing (SDB) refers to a spectrum of disorders ranging from habitual snoring without frank episodes of obstructed breathing or desaturation during sleep to obstructive sleep apnea, where apneas and hypopneas repetitively occur with resultant intermittent hypoxia, arousal, and sleep disruption. Disparities in SDB reflect its overall high prevalence in children and adults from racially and ethnically minoritized or low socioeconomic status backgrounds coupled with high rates of underdiagnosis and suboptimal treatment.

Elucidating the primary mechanisms of high-intensity interval training for improved cardiac fitness in obesity

Obesity is a global and rising multifactorial pandemic associated with the emergence of several comorbidities that are risk factors for malignant cardiac remodeling and disease. High-intensity interval training (HIIT) has gained considerable attention due to its favorable outcomes of cardiometabolic health in individuals with overweight or obese. The primary aim of this review is to discuss the fundamental processes through which HIIT improves cardiac impairment in individuals with obesity to develop viable treatments for obesity management. In this review, a multiple database search and collection were conducted from the earliest record to January 2013 for studies included the qualitative component of HIIT intervention in humans and animals with overweight/obesity related to cardiac remodeling and fitness. We attempt to integrate the main mechanisms of HIIT in cardiac remolding improvement in obesity into an overall sequential hypothesis. This work focus on the ameliorative effects of HIIT on obesity-induced cardiac remodeling with respect to potential and pleiotropic mechanisms, including adipose distribution, energy metabolism, inflammatory response, insulin resistance, and related risk profiles in obesity. In conclusion, HIIT has been shown to reduce obesity-induced risks of cardiac remodeling, but the long-term effects of HIIT on obesity-induced cardiac injury and disease are presently unknown. Collective understanding highlights numerous specific research that are needed before the safety and effectiveness of HIIT can be confirmed and widely adopted in patient with obesity.

Oral appliance therapy for the management of obstructive sleep apnea in adults: an umbrella review protocol

OBJECTIVE

The objective of this review is to summarize the evidence on the effectiveness of oral appliance therapy compared with other therapeutic approaches (continuous positive airway pressure, maxillomandibular and upper airway surgeries, behavioral techniques) for the management of obstructive sleep apnea in adults.

INTRODUCTION

For primary snoring, mild to moderate obstructive sleep apnea, and patients with a severe condition who are intolerant of continuous positive airway pressure therapy, an oral appliance is the treatment of choice among conservative procedures. The effectiveness of these appliances is largely determined by a variety of parameters, including the severity of sleep apnea (mild, moderate, severe), materials and methods used to fabricate the appliance, and the degree of mandibular protrusion. Thus, it is important to evaluate the effectiveness of oral appliances in the reduction of sleep apnea.

INCLUSION CRITERIA

This review will include systematic reviews of quantitative studies reporting on the effectiveness of oral appliances for the treatment of obstructive sleep apnea of any severity, confirmed using polysomnography. The primary outcome will be measured by reduction in the apnea-hypopnea index.

METHODS

A search will be conducted of MEDLINE, Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, Scopus, Web of Science, CINAHL, Epistemonikos, Embase, ProQuest Dissertations and Theses, and Shodhganga Dissertations and Theses from database inception until the present, with no language restrictions. Google Scholar will be searched manually. Two independent reviewers will screen titles, abstracts, and full-text articles and perform data extraction. Quality assessment will be conducted using the standard JBI critical appraisal tool. Data will be extracted from systematic reviews and a synthesis of the findings will be presented. The certainty will be assessed using the Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development and Evaluation (GRADE).

REVIEW REGISTRATION

PROSPERO CRD42021258515.

[From diabetes to sleep apnea: what obesity complications should we look for?]

The prevalence of obesity has increased worldwide. For Germany, according to the "Study on Adult Health in Germany" (DEGS1) of the Robert Koch Institute from the years 2008-2011, the prevalence of a BMI ≥25 kg/m² was 67,1% for men and 53,0% for women, whereby the proportion of obesity, i.e. a BMI ≥30 kg/m² is 23, 3% for men and 23,9% for women. Compared to 1998, the prevalence of obesity in the same group was 18, 8% for men and 21,7% for women. Because of the increasing prevalence of overweight and obesity, the number of patients with obesity-associated comorbidities is correspondingly increasing. There is a close association between obesity and an increased risk of metabolic diseases, cardiovascular diseases, but also musculoskeletal diseases, some types of cancer and mental comorbidities. In addition, obesity might also lead to restrictions in activities of daily living, reduced quality of life, unemployment and early retirement. A knowledge of obesity-associated sequelae is therefore essential in order to specifically look for them, treat them and thereby improve patient care and ultimately morbidity and mortality of patients with obesity.

Should mild obstructive sleep apnoea be treated? A systematic review from the standpoint of disease progression

OBJECTIVE

This study was a systematic review to investigate the progression of untreated obstructive sleep apnoea in order to evaluate whether mild obstructive sleep apnoea should be treated from the standpoint of disease progression.

METHOD

The database search study outcomes that were collected included Apnea Hypopnea Index and Respiratory Disturbance Index. A meta-analysis of obstructive sleep apnoea severity over time intervals was performed.

RESULTS

A total of 17 longitudinal studies and 1 randomised, controlled trial were included for review. For patients with mild obstructive sleep apnoea, mean pre-study and post-study Apnea Hypopnea Index was 5.21 and 8.03, respectively, over a median interval of 53.1 months. In patients with moderate to severe obstructive sleep apnoea, mean pre-study and post-study Apnea Hypopnea Index was 28.9 and 30.3, respectively, over a median interval of 57.8 months. Predictors for disease progression in mild obstructive sleep apnoea are patients aged less than 60 years and those with a baseline body mass index less than 25.

CONCLUSION

Mild obstructive sleep apnoea progression is observed, but it does not appear to reach any clinically significant progression to moderate or severe obstructive sleep apnoea.

Renin-angiotensin system activation: may it increase frequency of obstructive sleep apnea in patients with autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease?

PURPOSE

Renin-angiotensin system (RAS) hyperactivity is a common entity in both autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease (ADPKD) and obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). We aimed to investigate the frequency of OSA in adults with ADPKD either with stages 3-4 or stages 1-2 chronic kidney disease (CKD) and evaluate the effect of RAS blockade on OSA in these patients.

METHODS

This is a comparative, prospective, two-center clinical study. Eligible patients with ADPKD were enrolled in a polysomnography (PSG) study. Presence of OSA in patients with ADPKD was compared with individuals who underwent polisomnography study due to OSA symptoms. A subgroup analysis was performed in terms of the presence of OSA in ADPKD with eGFR values lower or higher than 60 ml/min/1.73 m2 (stages 3-4 and stages 1-2 CKD, respectively).

RESULTS

Frequency of OSA (65%) was higher than in the general population and similar between the two groups (p = 0.367). Patients with ADPKD and eGFR ≥ 60 ml/min/1.73 m2 presented a similar frequency of OSA to the control group (p = 0.759). However, OSA was significantly more frequent in ADPKD with eGFR < 60 ml/min/1.73 m2 (p = 0.018). Subgroup analysis revealed that presence of OSA also was significantly higher in ADPKD with lower eGFR levels (eGFR < 60 ml/min/1.73 m2 and eGFR > 60 ml/min/1.73 m2) 14/17 (82%) and 12/23 (52%), respectively (p: 0.048).

CONCLUSION

As kidney disease progresses, uremia and related factors of renal failure rather than RAS activation seem to play a more important role for the development of OSA in patients with ADPKD.

International Consensus Statement on Obstructive Sleep Apnea

BACKGROUND

Evaluation and interpretation of the literature on obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) allows for consolidation and determination of the key factors important for clinical management of the adult OSA patient. Toward this goal, an international collaborative of multidisciplinary experts in sleep apnea evaluation and treatment have produced the International Consensus statement on Obstructive Sleep Apnea (ICS:OSA).

METHODS

Using previously defined methodology, focal topics in OSA were assigned as literature review (LR), evidence-based review (EBR), or evidence-based review with recommendations (EBR-R) formats. Each topic incorporated the available and relevant evidence which was summarized and graded on study quality. Each topic and section underwent iterative review and the ICS:OSA was created and reviewed by all authors for consensus.

RESULTS

The ICS:OSA addresses OSA syndrome definitions, pathophysiology, epidemiology, risk factors for disease, screening methods, diagnostic testing types, multiple treatment modalities, and effects of OSA treatment on multiple OSA-associated comorbidities. Specific focus on outcomes with positive airway pressure (PAP) and surgical treatments were evaluated.

CONCLUSION

This review of the literature consolidates the available knowledge and identifies the limitations of the current evidence on OSA. This effort aims to create a resource for OSA evidence-based practice and identify future research needs. Knowledge gaps and research opportunities include improving the metrics of OSA disease, determining the optimal OSA screening paradigms, developing strategies for PAP adherence and longitudinal care, enhancing selection of PAP alternatives and surgery, understanding health risk outcomes, and translating evidence into individualized approaches to therapy.

Peri- and Postoperative Outcomes for Obstructive Sleep Apnoea Patients after Bariatric Surgery-a Systematic Review and Meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

Obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA) is prevalent among patients undergoing bariatric surgery. Previous studies have reported a higher risk of complications, ICU admission and longer length of stay in patients with OSA following surgery. However, clinical outcomes following bariatric surgery are unclear. The hypothesis is that patients with OSA will have an increased risk of these outcome measures after bariatric surgery.

METHODS

A systematic review and meta-analysis were performed to answer the research question. Searches for bariatric surgery and obstructive sleep apnoea were performed using PubMed and Ovid Medline. Studies which compared OSA and non-OSA patients undergoing bariatric surgery and used outcome measures that included length of stay, risk of complications, 30-day readmission and need for ICU admission were selected for the systematic review. Comparable datasets from these studies were used for the meta-analysis.

RESULTS

Patients with OSA are at greater risk of complications after bariatric surgery (RR = 1.23 [CI: 1.01, 1.5], P = 0.04), driven mostly by an increased risk of cardiac complications (RR = 2.44 [CI: 1.26, 4.76], P = 0.009). There were no significant differences between the OSA and non-OSA cohorts in the other outcome variables (respiratory complications, length of stay, 30-day readmission and need for ICU admission).

CONCLUSION

Following bariatric surgery, patients with OSA must be managed carefully due to the increased risk of cardiac complications. However, patients with OSA are not more likely to require a longer length of stay or readmission.

Ultrasonography of the neck in patients with obstructive sleep apnea

INTRODUCTION

In resource-limited settings, obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) often goes undiagnosed as polysomnography (PSG) is expensive, time-consuming, and not readily available. Imaging studies of upper airway have been tried as alternatives to PSG to screen for OSA. However, racial differences in upper airway anatomy preclude generalizability of such studies. We sought to test the hypothesis that ultrasonography (USG), an inexpensive, readily available tool to study soft tissue structures of the upper airway, would have predictive value for OSA in South Asian people.

METHODS

Adult patients with sleep-related complaints suspicious for OSA were taken for overnight PSG. After the PSG, consecutive patients with and without OSA were studied with submental ultrasonography to measure tongue base thickness (TBT) and lateral pharyngeal wall thickness (LPWT).

RESULTS

Among 50 patients with OSA and 25 controls, mean age was 43.9 ± 11.4 years, and 39 were men. Patients with OSA had higher TBT (6.77 ± 0.63 cm vs 6.34 ± 0.54 cm, P value = 0.004) and higher LPWT (2.47 ± 0.60 cm vs 2.12 ± 0.26 cm, P value = 0.006) compared to patients without OSA. On multivariate analysis, TBT, LPWT, and neck circumference were identified as independent factors associated with OSA. These variables could identify patients with severe OSA with a sensitivity of 72% and a specificity of 76%.

CONCLUSION

Patients with OSA have higher tongue base thickness and lateral pharyngeal wall thickness proportionate to the severity of the disease, independent of BMI and neck circumference. These findings suggest that sub-mental ultrasonography may be useful to identify patients with severe OSA in resource-limited settings.

A Prospective Study on Obstructive Sleep Apnea, Clinical Profile and Polysomnographic Variables

Background: Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is characterized by recurring episodes of pharyngeal collapse, which can partially or completely block airflow during sleep and cause cardiorespiratory and neurological imbalances. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to assess OSA and the relationship between AHI and polysomnographic characteristics in OSA patients. Methodology: A prospective study was conducted at the Department of Pulmonology and Sleep Medicine for two years. All 216 participants underwent polysomnography, and 175 of them were reported to have OSA (AHI ≥ 5), while 41 of them did not (AHI < 5). ANOVA and Pearson's correlation coefficient test were performed. Results: In terms of the study population's average AHI, Group 1 had 1.69 ± 1.34, mild OSA had 11.79 ± 3.55, moderate OSA had 22.12 ± 4.34, and severe OSA was found to have 59.16 ± 22.15 events/hour. The study group's average age was 53.77 ± 7.19 out of 175 OSA patients. According to AHI, the BMI for mild OSA was 31.66 ± 8.32 kg/m², for moderate OSA, it was 30.52 ± 3.99 kg/m², and for severe OSA, it was 34.35 ± 8.22 kg/m². The average number of oxygen desaturation events and snoring duration were 25.20 ± 18.63 and 24.61 ± 28.53 min, respectively. BMI (r = 0.249, p < 0.001), average oxygen saturation (r = -0.387, p < 0.000), oxygen desaturation (r = 0.661, p < 0.000), snoring time (r = 0.231, p < 0.002), and the number of snores (r = 0.383, p < 0.001) were the polysomnographic variables that showed significant correlations with AHI in the study group. Conclusions: In this study, a substantial prevalence of obesity and a high OSA frequency were found in men. Our research showed that individuals with obstructive sleep apnea experience nocturnal desaturations. Polysomnography is the primary test for early detection of this treatable condition.

Relationship Between Hyperuricemia-Waist Phenotype and Obstructive Sleep Apnea in Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus

Objective

This study aimed to propose the hyperuricemia-waist (HUAW) phenotype and investigate the relationship between the HUAW phenotype and obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) in type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM).

Methods

We enrolled 255 patients with T2DM (165 male and 90 female) from the First Hospital of Qinhuangdao. The sleep test was performed, and serum uric acid (UA) levels and waist circumference (WC) were calculated. The HUAW phenotype was defined as serum UA concentrations ≥420 μmol/L and WC ≥90 cm (male) and ≥85 cm (female). The participants were categorized into four phenotype groups based on the mentioned cutoffs: normal WC and normal UA concentrations (group A); normal WC and elevated UA concentrations (group B); enlarged WC and normal UA concentrations (group C); and enlarged WC and elevated UA concentrations (group D). Among these participants, 17.6% were characterized by the HUAW phenotype, 80.0% had OSA, and 47.0% had moderate-to-severe OSA. The prevalence of OSA was 43.4%, 71.4%, 89.7%, and 97.8% in groups A, B, C, and D, respectively. The prevalence of moderate-to-severe OSA was 7.5%, 28.6%, 56.9%, and 72.7% in groups A, B, C, and D, respectively. After adjusting for age, sex, duration of diabetes, glycosylated hemoglobin A1c, smoking, and drinking, the HUAW phenotype was found to be significantly associated with OSA and moderate-to-severe OSA.

Conclusion

The present study proposed the HUAW phenotype and demonstrated that in T2DM, the HUAW phenotype was associated with OSA, especially with moderate-to-severe OSA. Unlike T2DM without the HUAW phenotype, T2DM with the HUAW phenotype showed a significantly higher prevalence of OSA, especially moderate-to-severe OSA. Thus, early sleep studies should be routinely examined in individuals with T2DM who display the HUAW phenotype.

Impact of Body Composition on Sleep and Its Relationship with Sleep Disorders: Current Insights

Sleep is involved in many physiological processes and is essential for both physical and mental health. Obesity and sleep deprivation due to sleep disorders are major public health issues. Their incidence is increasing, and they have a wide range of adverse health-related consequences, including life-threatening cardiovascular disease. The impact of sleep on obesity and body composition is well-known, and many studies have shown an association between insufficient or excessive sleep duration and obesity, body fat percentage, and weight gain. However, there is growing evidence of the effects of body composition on sleep and sleep disorders (particularly sleep disordered breathing) through anatomical and physiological mechanisms (nocturnal fluid shift, core body temperature, or diet). Although some research has been conducted on the bidirectional effects of sleep-disordered breathing and body composition, the specific effects of obesity and body composition on sleep and the underlying mechanisms that explain these effects remain unclear. Therefore, this review summarizes the findings on the effects of body composition on sleep and draws conclusions and proposals for future research in this field.

Using Machine-Learning to Predict Sleep-Disordered Breathing Diagnosis From Medical Comorbidities and Craniofacial Features

Objectives This paper attempts to use machine-learning (ML) algorithms to predict the presence of sleep-disordered breathing (SDB) in a patient based on their body habitus, craniofacial anatomy, and social history. Materials and methods Data from a group of 69 adult patients who attended a dental clinic for oral surgeries and dental procedures in the last 10 years was used to train machine-learning models to predict whether a subject is likely to have SDB based on input information such as age, gender, smoking history, body mass index (BMI), oropharyngeal airway (Mallampati assessment), forward head posture (FHP), facial skeletal pattern, and sleep quality. Logistic Regression (LR), K-nearest Neighbours (kNN), Support Vector Machine (SVM) and Naïve Bayes (NB) were selected as these are the most frequently used supervised machine-learning models for classification of outcomes. The data was split into two sets for machine training (80% of total records) and the remaining was used for testing (validation). Results Initial analysis of collected data showed overweight BMI (at 25 or above), periorbital hyperchromia (dark circle eyes), nasal deviation, micrognathia, convex facial skeletal pattern (class 2) and Mallampati class 2 or above have positive correlations with SDB. Logistic Regression was found to be the best performer amongst the four models used with an accuracy of 86%, F1 score of 88% and area under the ROC curve (AUC) of 93%. LR also had 100% specificity and 77.8% sensitivity. Support Vector Machine was the second-best performer with an accuracy of 79%, F1 score of 82% and AUC of 93%. k-Nearest Neighbours and Naïve Bayes performed reasonably well with F1 scores of 71% and 67%, respectively. Conclusions This study demonstrated the feasibility of using simple machine-learning models as a credible predictor of sleep-disordered breathing in patients with structural risk factors for sleep apnoea such as craniofacial anomalies, neck posture and soft tissue airway obstruction. By utilising higher-level machine-learning algorithms, it is possible to incorporate a broader range of risk factors, including non-structural features like respiratory diseases, asthma, medication use, and more, into the prediction model.

Effect of yoga-based lifestyle and dietary modification in overweight individuals with sleep apnea: A randomized controlled trial (ELISA)

BACKGROUND

Obesity is recognised as an important risk factor for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), with obese individuals at a four times higher risk of being diagnosed with the syndrome. Treating obesity with lifestyle modification is associated with a reduction in the severity of obstructive sleep apnea. Yoga comprises lifestyle modification that includes asana (postures), pranayama (breathing techniques), dhyana (meditation) and guideline principles for healthy living (Yama and Niyama). There is a scarcity of data to evaluate the effect of yoga on OSA. This study was conducted to evaluate the efficacy of Yoga based lifestyle modification on OSA.

METHODS

Consenting obese patients (BMI >23) diagnosed with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) (AHI>5) on Polysomnography (PSG) were enrolled. Eligible patients were randomized into two groups. The control group received counselling for dietary modification (staple Indian) with regular exercise and the active intervention group received Yoga intervention as treatment (OSA module) in addition to similar dietary modification and regular exercise counselling. Polysomnography (PSG) was conducted at baseline and one year follow-up. All patients were evaluated at baseline, six months, and one year for compliance and anthropometric parameters. Additional assessment with Hamilton scales for depression and anxiety, SF-36, and the Pittsburgh sleep quality index was also conducted.

RESULTS

A total of 37 eligible patients (19 in the control group and 18 in the yoga group) were recruited for the study. The age [45.73 ± 10.71 vs. 46.22 ± 9.39 years, p = 0.88] and gender [15(78.95%) vs. 12(66.67%), p = 0.48 (males)] distribution was similar in both groups. After adjusting for age and gender, the percentage reduction in weight between the two groups did not reach statistical significance at one year. There was no significant difference in mean AHI between the two groups at one year. However, the number of patients with more than 40% AHI reduction [2/19 (10.52%) vs 8/18 (44.44%), p = 0.02] was significantly higher in the yoga group. Additionally, within the groups, the mean AHI at one year was significantly reduced in the yoga group [51.2 ± 28.0 to 36.8 ± 21.0/hour, p = 0.003], while no significant change was found in the control group [47.2 ± 23 to 38.8 ± 19.9/hour, p = 0.08].

CONCLUSIONS

Lifestyle alteration using Yoga intervention and modification of staple Indian diet may be effective in reducing OSA severity among obese patients.

CTRI NUMBER

CTRI/2017/05/008462.

Peri-operative anaesthetic management of women with obesity

Obesity in women is prevalent and growing at an alarming pace worldwide, resulting in significant healthcare and socioeconomic consequences. Obesity is a multisystemic disease that is associated with numerous comorbidities, particularly sleep-disordered breathing, hypertension, coronary artery disease, pulmonary hypertension, thromboembolism, and diabetes mellitus. Additionally, obesity poses several peri-operative challenges including difficulty with airway management and mechanical ventilation, challenges with intravenous access or regional blocks, the need for modified anaesthetic drug dosing, the requirement for correctly sized and rated equipment, and appropriate post-operative monitoring. Therefore, early multidisciplinary planning is crucial to identify and address important peri-operative and clinical issues. Parturients with obesity are especially at high risk due to the additional physiological changes and obstetric comorbidities associated with obesity. Antenatal anaesthetic consultation along with close communication and collaboration within the multidisciplinary team are important to improve maternal and neonatal safety.

Investigating the Relationship between Obstructive Sleep Apnoea, Inflammation and Cardio-Metabolic Diseases

Obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA) is a prevalent underdiagnosed disorder whose incidence increases with age and weight. Uniquely characterised by frequent breathing interruptions during sleep-known as intermittent hypoxia (IH)-OSA disrupts the circadian rhythm. Patients with OSA have repeated episodes of hypoxia and reoxygenation, leading to systemic consequences. OSA consequences range from apparent symptoms like excessive daytime sleepiness, neurocognitive deterioration and decreased quality of life to pathological complications characterised by elevated biomarkers linked to endocrine-metabolic and cardiovascular changes. OSA is a well-recognized risk factor for cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases. Furthermore, OSA is linked to other conditions that worsen cardiovascular outcomes, such as obesity. The relationship between OSA and obesity is complex and reciprocal, involving interaction between biological and lifestyle factors. The pathogenesis of both OSA and obesity involve oxidative stress, inflammation and metabolic dysregulation. The current medical practice uses continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) as the gold standard tool to manage OSA. It has been shown to improve symptoms and cardiac function, reduce cardiovascular risk and normalise biomarkers. Nonetheless, a full understanding of the factors involved in the deleterious effects of OSA and the best methods to eliminate their occurrence are still poorly understood. In this review, we present the factors and evidence linking OSA to increased risk of cardiovascular conditions.

Obstructive Sleep Apnea and Its Management: A Narrative Review

Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is a disorder in which there is repeated collapse of the upper airway when the person is in sleep, which causes oxygen desaturation and interrupted sleep. While asleep, airway blockages and collapse are accompanied by awakenings with or without oxygen desaturation. OSA is a prevalent disorder, especially in people with known risk factors and other illnesses. Pathogenesis is variable, and the risk factors include low chest volume, erratic respiratory regulation, and muscular dysfunction in the upper airway dilators. The high-risk factors include overweight, male sex, aging, adenotonsillar hypertrophy, interruption of the menstrual cycle, preservation of liquids, and smoking. The signs are snoring, drowsiness, and apneas. A sleep history, assessment of symptoms, and physical examination are all part of the screening process for OSA, and the data can help determine which people need to be tested for the condition. The results of the polysomnogram or at-home sleep apnea test assist in determining the presence and severity of OSA. Still, it is seen many times that the accuracy of home sleep apnea tests is significantly less, so one should take an expert opinion for the same. OSA results in systemic hypertension, drowsiness, and driving accidents. It is additionally related to diabetes mellitus, congestive heart failure (CHF), cerebral infarction, and myocardial infarction, but the exact mechanism is not known. The preferred treatment is continuous positive airway pressure with 60-70% adherence. Other management options include reducing weight, therapy of oral appliances, and correcting any anatomical obstruction (narrow pharyngeal airway, adenoid hypertrophy, and mass in the pharynx). OSA indirectly causes headaches just after awakening and daytime sleepiness. However, there are no age boundaries in OSA as it can occur in any age group. Still, more prevalence is seen in individuals of more than 60 years of age.

The preventable productivity burden of sleep apnea in Australia: a lifetime modelling study

Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is a common disorder. OSA is associated with cardiovascular disease (CVD), type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and depression, among other comorbidities. We aim to determine the productivity burden of OSA in Australia using productivity-adjusted life-years (PALYs). Using life table modelling, we built a multistate Markov model to estimate the impact of moderate to severe OSA on the whole working-age Australian population in 2021 (aged 20-65 years) with OSA until retirement (aged 66 years). The model also captured the impact of OSA on CVD, T2DM, depression, and vehicle-related accidents. Data for OSA and comorbidities and Australian specific labour data, were extracted from published sources. A second cohort was then modelled to test the effect of a hypothetical intervention, assuming a 10% reduction in OSA prevalence and a 10% reduction in comorbidities in patients with OSA. The primary outcome of interest were PALYs accrued. All outcomes were discounted 5% annually. Over a lifetime, the Australian population with OSA accrued 193,713,441 years of life lived and 182,737,644 PALYs. A reduction of 10% in OSA prevalence and comorbidities would result in 45,401 extra years of life lived and 150,950 extra PALYs. This resulted in more than AU$25 billion of gained gross domestic product over the lifetime of the working population. Our study highlights the substantial burden of OSA on the Australian population and the need to tailor interventions at the population level to reduce the health and economic impacts.

Alternate-Day Fasting Combined with Exercise: Effect on Sleep in Adults with Obesity and NAFLD

Objective: This study investigated how alternate-day fasting (ADF) combined with aerobic exercise impacts body weight and sleep in adults with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). Methods: Adults with obesity and NAFLD (n = 80) were randomized into one of four groups for 3 months: combination of ADF (600 kcal “fast day,” alternated with an ad libitum intake “feast day”) and moderate-intensity aerobic exercise (five sessions per week, 60 min/session); ADF alone; exercise alone; or a no-intervention control group. Results: By month 3, body weight and intrahepatic triglyceride content decreased (p < 0.001, group × time interaction) in the combination group versus the exercise group and control group, but not versus the ADF group. Sleep quality, measured by the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Inventory (PSQI), did not change in the combination group (baseline: 6.0 ± 0.7; month 3: 5.6 ± 0.7), ADF group (baseline: 8.9 ± 1.0; month 3: 7.5 ± 0.8), or exercise group (baseline: 6.4 ± 0.6; month 3: 6.7 ± 0.6), versus controls (baseline: 5.5 ± 0.7; month 3: 4.6 ± 0.5). Wake time, bedtime, sleep duration, and insomnia severity did not change (no group x time interaction) over the course of the study in any group. Risk for obstructive sleep apnea was present in 30% of combination subjects, 75% of ADF subjects, 40% of exercise subjects, and 75% of controls, and did not change in the intervention groups, versus controls, by month 3. No associations were observed between changes in body weight, intrahepatic triglyceride content, and any sleep outcome. Conclusions: The weight loss induced by ADF combined with exercise does not improve sleep quality, duration, insomnia severity, or risk of obstructive sleep apnea in individuals with NAFLD.

Screening for obstructive sleep apnoea in post-treatment cancer patients

BACKGROUND AND AIMS

For cancer patients, comorbid obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) poses additional risk to their surgical/anaesthetic outcomes, quality of life, and survival. However, OSA screening is not well-established in oncology settings. We tested two screening tools (STOP-Bang questionnaire [SBQ] and the at-home monitoring device, ApneaLink™Air), for predicting polysomnography (PSG) confirmed OSA in post-treatment cancer patients.

METHODS

Breast (n = 56), endometrial (n = 37) and melanoma patients (n = 50) were recruited from follow-up clinics at Westmead Hospital (Sydney, Australia). All underwent overnight PSG, 137 completed SBQ, and 99 completed ApneaLink™Air. Positive (PPV) and negative (NPV) predictive values for PSG-determined moderate-to-severe OSA and severe OSA, were calculated using an SBQ threshold ≥3 au and ApneaLink™Air apnoea-hypopnea index thresholds of ≥10, ≥15 and ≥30 events/h.

RESULTS

Both SBQ and ApneaLink™Air had high NPVs (92.7% and 85.2%-95.6% respectively) for severe OSA, but NPVs were lower for moderate-to-severe OSA (69.1% and 59.1%-75.5%, respectively). PPV for both tools were relatively low (all <73%). Combining both tools did not improve screening performance.

CONCLUSIONS

These screening tools may help identify cancer patients without severe OSA, but both are limited in identifying those with moderate-to-severe or severe OSA. PSG remains optimal for adequately identifying and managing comorbid OSA in cancer patients.

Comparing the influence of foot reflexology and fasting mimicking diet on quality of life and sleep quality in obesity hypoventilation syndrome

OBJECTIVES

Obesity hypoventilation syndrome is one of the most serious outcomes of obesity-related respiratory difficulties, resulting in higher healthcare costs as well as increased cardio-respiratory morbidity and mortality.

METHODS

Sixty-two males who had a high risk of obstructive sleep apnea according to the STOP-BANG Sleep Apnea Questionnaire were enrolled in the study. Their age is 50-60 years old, and they have a BMI of 35-40 kg/m², daytime hypercapnia, and sleep breathing problems. The patients were divided into two equal groups at random reflexology fasting-mimicking diet groups. Weight, height, waist, and neck circumference were assessed at the beginning of the study and after two months of the intervention. Sleep quality was measured using the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), which is used to evaluate sleep quality. The Maugeri Obstructive Sleep Apnea Syndrome (MOSAS) questionnaire was used to assess a patient's quality of life.

RESULTS

There was a significant change in the MOSAS and PSQI questionnaires for both groups post-intervention, as the p-value was less than 0.05. The percentage change in the MOSAS questionnaire score and PSQI questionnaire was higher in the mimic diet group than in the reflexology group. Also, the mimic diet group's weight and neck circumference were considerably reduced after the intervention, with no change in the reflexology group.

CONCLUSIONS

Reflexology and a fasting-mimicking diet were found to have a substantial impact on enhancing the quality of life and sleep in people with obesity hypoventilation syndrome.

Respiratory complications of obesity: from early changes to respiratory failure

Obesity is a significant and increasingly common cause of respiratory compromise. It causes a decrease in static and dynamic pulmonary volumes. The expiratory reserve volume is one of the first to be affected. Obesity is associated with reduced airflow, increased airway hyperresponsiveness, and an increased risk of developing pulmonary hypertension, pulmonary embolism, respiratory tract infections, obstructive sleep apnoea and obesity hypoventilation syndrome. The physiological changes caused by obesity will eventually lead to hypoxic or hypercapnic respiratory failure. The pathophysiology of these changes includes a physical load of adipose tissue on the respiratory system and a systemic inflammatory state. Weight loss has clear, well-defined benefits in improving respiratory and airway physiology in obese individuals.

Unexpected Resolution of Obstructive Sleep Apnea after Nasal Surgery in a Patient Nonadherent to Continuous Positive Airway Pressure Therapy

Continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) is recommended as first-line therapy in cases of moderate-to-severe obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). Continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) prevents upper airway obstruction and abolishes apnea or hypopnea events during sleep. But up to 50% of OSA patients may be nonadherent to CPAP due to various causes, including nasal obstruction. Nasal surgery may improve CPAP compliance in some OSA patients but is not regarded as OSA therapy. Here, I report a patient non-adherent to CPAP whose sleep apnea resolved unexpectedly after nasal surgery to increase adherence to CPAP.

Estimates of 10-year risk of cardiovascular death and adherence to cardiovascular risk factor management in Danish patients investigated for obstructive sleep apnea

OBJECTIVE

Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) increases the risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD) in both morbidity and mortality. We used the risk chart of Systemic Coronary Risk Evaluation (SCORE) from European Society of Cardiology (ESC) to determine the 10-year risk of cardiovascular death, and adherence to cardiovascular risk factor management in Danish patients investigated for obstructive sleep apnea.

RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS

In a prospective cohort study, 303 patients with mild, moderate and severe OSA were investigated for cardiovascular risk factors before initiating CPAP therapy. Primary outcome was estimates of 10-year risk of cardiovascular death assessed from the ESC risk chart SCORE based on sex, age, smoking status, systolic blood pressure and s-total cholesterol. Furthermore we analyzed treatment indication with statins in patients with mild (apnea-hypopnea index, AHI <15), moderate (AHI 15-29.9) and severe OSA (AHI ≥30).

RESULTS

Patients with mild OSA predominately had low or moderate 10-year risk of CVD (low risk 55.4%, moderate risk 30.8%) while patients with moderate and severe OSA were more likely to have high or very high risk of 10-year CVD (p = 0.001). The large majority of included OSA patients had dyslipidemia, 235 (77.6%) and of those, only 27.4% were treated with cholesterol lowering drugs while additional 27.7% were eligible for oral statin supplement as risk-estimated by the ESC SCORE. In multiple regression analysis among statin naive patients, AHI was positively associated with statin eligibility when adjusted for age and sex.

CONCLUSION

Patients with moderate and severe OSA had an elevated 10-year risk of fatal CVD and were undertreated with CVD risk lowering agents such as statins.

Prognostic Implications of OSA in Acute Coronary Syndrome by Obesity Status

BACKGROUND

A close relationship exists between OSA and obesity. The impact of obesity on the prognostic significance of OSA in patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS) remains unclear.

RESEARCH QUESTION

Do the effects of OSA on subsequent cardiovascular events in patients with ACS vary with obesity status?

STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS

This is a prospective cohort study. Patients 18 to 85 years of age and hospitalized for ACS were consecutively enrolled and underwent portable sleep monitoring after clinical stabilization. OSA was defined as an apnea hypopnea index ≥ 15 events/h. The primary end point was major adverse cardiovascular and cerebrovascular event (MACCE), including cardiovascular death, hospitalization for ACS, stroke, ischemia-driven revascularization, or hospitalization for heart failure.

RESULTS

Among 1,920 patients enrolled (84.5% men; mean age ± SD, 56.4 ± 10.5 years), 1,013 (52.8%) had OSA, and 718 (37.4%) were obese (BMI ≥ 28 kg/m²). During 2.9 years (1.5, 3.6) follow up, the incidence of MACCE was significantly higher in patients with obesity than in patients without obesity (hazard ratio [HR], 1.29; 95% CI, 1.06-1.58; P = .013). Although the prevalence of OSA was lower in patients without obesity than in those with obesity (43.9% vs 67.5%, P < .001), OSA independently predicted the incidence of MACCE only in patients without obesity (adjusted HR, 1.34; 95% CI, 1.03-1.75; P = .03), but not in patients with obesity (adjusted HR, 1.10; 95% CI, 0.78-1.55; P = .58). No significant interaction between obesity and OSA was noted (P for interaction = .35). The incremental risk associated with OSA in patients without obesity might be explained by more hospitalization for ACS and ischemia-driven revascularization.

INTERPRETATION

For patients with ACS, OSA was independently associated with an increased risk of subsequent events, particularly among patients without obesity. These findings highlight the importance of identifying OSA in nonobese patients with ACS.

CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION

ClinicalTrials.gov; No.: NCT03362385; URL: www.

CLINICALTRIALS

gov.

Effects of Soft Tissue Sleep Surgery on Morbidly Obese Patients

INTRODUCTION

Morbidly obese patients with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) are often intolerant of continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP). The effects of sleep surgery in this population is not well documented, and sleep surgery is generally avoided due to the expectation of poor outcomes, leaving these patients untreated.

METHODS

This retrospective study included 42 patients with a body mass index (BMI) ≥40.0 and OSA with a preoperative apnea hypopnea index (AHI) ≥5. Preoperative BMI ranged from 40.0 to 69.0 kg/m². Preoperative AHI ranged from 7.2 to 130.0. Of 42 patients, 12 (28.6%) underwent concurrent pharyngeal and retrolingual surgery. Subgroup analysis of change in AHI was measured with respect to preoperative OSA severity, change in preoperative BMI, and BMI severity. Univariate linear and logistic regression was performed assessing change in AHI and surgical success with respect to age, sex, preoperative AHI, preoperative BMI, change in BMI, total procedures, palatal procedure, retrolingual procedure, nasal procedure, and multilevel procedures.

RESULTS

The mean AHI improved from 45.9 ± 31.8 to 31.9 ± 31.6 (P = .007). Epworth sleepiness score (ESS) improved from 13.2 ± 5.5 to 9.6 ± 5.4 (P = .00006). Lowest oxygen saturation (LSAT) improved from 74.4 ± 10.7 to 79.9 ± 10.4 (P = .002). About 33.3% of patients had surgical success (AHI < 20 with at least 50% reduction in AHI). Preoperative AHI was the most significant factor for change in AHI in univariate and multivariate models (P = .015).

CONCLUSION

Sleep surgery is effective in reducing OSA burden in most morbidly obese patients and can result in surgical cure for a third of patients.

Nasopharyngeal luminal change on cervical radiography in brachycephalic dogs without respiratory signs

This study aimed to prospectively assess nasopharyngeal luminal changes in brachycephalic dogs without respiratory signs using cervical radiography. Forty brachycephalic dogs without cardiopulmonary diseases were included. The nasopharyngeal luminal change was calculated on inspiratory and expiratory cervical lateral radiographs. The median nasopharyngeal luminal change was 21.6% (range, 0.3-85.6%). In five dogs, a nasopharyngeal luminal change of >50% was identified. There was no correlation between nasopharyngeal luminal changes and age, sex, body weight, or body condition score. These results suggest that brachycephalic dogs without cardiopulmonary diseases may be over-diagnosed with partial pharyngeal collapse. Further studies comparing nasopharyngeal luminal changes between clinically healthy brachycephalic dogs and dogs with respiratory signs are warranted.

Prevalence of patients at risk for developing obstructive sleep apnea based on the STOP-BANG questionnaire at King Abdulaziz University Faculty of Dentistry

OBJECTIVE

Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is a common sleep disorder. Its susceptibility can easily be detected when it is at an early stage as can patients who are at risk of OSA. A simple questionnaire such as STOP-BANG (SB) can facilitate early detection. Our study aims to assess the risk of OSA and evaluate its correlating risk factors in patients attending King Abdulaziz University Faculty of Dentistry (KAUFD), Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, using the SB questionnaire.

METHODS

Ethical approval was obtained. A random sample of patients ages 18-80 years, who visited KAUFD between November 2016 and April 2017 were recruited. Three highly trained and calibrated dental interns obtained the following measurements (weight, height, blood pressure, and neck circumference) and administered the questionnaire in a face-to-face interview.

RESULTS

A total of 55 patients (62% females) participated in the study with a mean age of 34.6 years and hypertension reported as 16.4%. According to the SB, 31% of patients were found at high risk of OSA. Large neck circumference (40.22[±4.7] cm) and gender (66% males) were found to be significantly correlated with high-risk patients; p < .001.

CONCLUSION

Approximately one third of the patients were at high risk of OSA, with men and patients having large neck circumference being significantly more affected. Systolic blood pressure, hypertension, and smoking were found to be high in high-risk patients. However, they were not statistically and significantly different from those patients who were not in high risk. The role of a dentist should be to utilize the questionnaire to detect any patient at risk of OSA and refer them accordingly.

Prevalence of risk and factors associated with obstructive sleep apnea-hypopnea syndrome in an adult population in Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of Congo

Obstructive sleep apnea-hypopnea syndrome (OSAHS) is an underdiagnosed and lesser known disease in sub-Saharan Africa. We believe that this is the first descriptive and analytical cross-sectional study in Kinshasa (from February 1 to October 31, 2021), which included respondents aged ≥18 years. The study aimed to determine the prevalence of the risk and factors associated with OSAHS. Each participant signed a free and informed consent. Statistical analyses were performed using XLStat 2020 and the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences version 24 for Windows. Odds ratios (ORs) were calculated to determine the degree of association between these variables and a high risk of OSAHS. The significance threshold was p < 0.05 and confidence interval (CI) at 95%. There were 4,162 participants, including 2,287 men (54.9%), with an mean (SD) age of 32 ± 12.6 years. The prevalence of OSAS risk was 17.4% and 7.9% for men and women, respectively. The associated risk factors were male sex (OR 4, 95% CI 3.20-5.54), hypertension (OR 6.7, 95% CI 4.87-9.30), age ≥60 years (OR 8.7, 95% CI 4.07-18.88), obesity/overweight (OR 1.94, 95% CI 1.13-3.78), and excessive daytime sleepiness (OR 2.63, 95% CI 2.05-3.56). The risk of OSAS in Kinshasa is high and it increases with age, male sex, obesity, and hypertension. The Snoring, Tiredness, Observed apnea, high blood Pressure, Body mass index, Age, Neck circumference, and male Gender (STOP-BANG) questionnaire is an easy-to-use tool for diagnostic orientation.

Obstructive sleep apnoea-hypopnoea syndrome: state of the art

Obstructive sleep apnoea-hypopnoea syndrome (OSAHS) is an extremely common sleep-related breathing disorder (SRBD) characterised by complete or partial collapse of the upper airways. These nocturnal phenomena cause high-frequency hypoxemic desaturations (or intermittent hypoxia, IH) during sleep and alterations in gas exchange. The result of IH is the development or worsening of cerebro-cardio-vascular, metabolic and other diseases, which cause a high risk of death. Hence, OSAHS is a multifactorial disease affecting several organs and systems and presenting with various clinical manifestations involving different medical branches. Although it has been estimated that about one billion individuals worldwide are affected by OSAHS, this SRBD remains underestimated also due to misinformation regarding both patients and physicians. Therefore, this review aims to provide information on the main symptoms and risk factors for the detection of individuals at risk of OSAHS, as well as to present the diagnostic investigations to be performed and the different therapeutic approaches. The scientific evidence reported suggest that OSAHS is an extremely common and complex disorder that has a large impact on the health and quality of life of individuals, as well as on healthcare expenditure. Moreover, given its multifactorial nature, the design and implementation of diagnostic and therapeutic programmes through a multidisciplinary approach are necessary for a tailor-made therapy for each patient.

A Scoping Review of Sleep Apnea: Where Do We Stand?

Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), a condition in which there is a recurrent collapse of the upper airway while sleeping, is a widespread disease affecting 5% to 10% people worldwide. Despite several advances in the treatment modalities for OSA, morbidity and mortality remain a concern. Common symptoms include loud snoring, gasping for air during sleep, morning headache, insomnia, hypersomnia, attention deficits, and irritability. Obese individuals, male gender, older age (65+), family history, smoking, and alcohol consumption are well recognized risk factors of OSA. This condition holds the ability to increase inflammatory cytokines, cause metabolic dysfunction, and increase the sympathetic output, all of which exacerbate OSA due to their effect on the cardiovascular system. In this review, we discuss its brief history, risk factors, complications, treatment modalities, and the role of clinicians in curbing its risk.

Bariatric surgery reduces sleep apnea in obese patients with obstructive sleep apnea by increasing pharyngeal cross-sectional area during the early postoperative period

OBJECTIVE

Bariatric surgery (BS) is considered one of the most effective treatments for obese individuals with Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA). However, otolaryngologists have raised concerns about the structural alterations caused by BS on the upper respiratory tract, especially, on the pharyngeal cavity.

METHODS

In this study, we recruited 42 individuals who underwent BS at our hospital. They were divided into two groups based on apnea-hypopnea index (AHI): mild group (5 ≤ AHI < 15) and moderate-severe group (AHI ≥ 15). The participants were followed up for 12 months and several indicators, including body mass index (BMI), polysomnography (PSG), and acoustic pharyngometry (APh), were assessed repeatedly before surgery and at 3, 6, and 12 months (m) after surgery.

RESULTS

Participants exhibited significant decreases in BMI (F = 128.1, P = 0.001) and total weight loss (F = 176.7, P < 0.001) after BS. The AHI value among obese patients with mild OSA decreased significantly within three months after surgery (0 day vs. 3 months, P < 0.01), and decreased significantly more than 12 months with moderate-to-severe patients (0 day vs. 3 months, 3 months vs. 6 months, 6 months vs. 12 months, P < 0.01). The therapeutic effect of OSA of the mild group was significantly better compared with that of the moderate-severe group at 6 months (mean rank = 28.13 vs. 14.21, P < 0.001) and 12 m (mean rank = 26.75 vs. 15.52, P = 0.001). The APh results revealed that the pharyngeal volume of the two groups increased significantly between 0 day and 6 months after surgery (P < 0.01). The oropharyngeal junction (OPJ) area and the glottal area were increased significantly between 0 day and 6 m after surgery (P < 0.01).

CONCLUSION

BS can relieve apnea and OSA symptoms among obese patients with OSA, especially in the early postoperative period. Moreover, OSA severity was closely associated with OPJ and glottal areas, rather than pharyngeal cavity volume.

In Situ Investigation of Upper Airway Occlusion in Sleep Disordered Breathing Using Ultrasonic Transducer Arrays

This work presents a novel application of ultrasound for the real-time, non-invasive investigation of occlusion of the upper airway during events of obstructive sleep apnea/hypopnea syndrome. It is hypothesized that ultrasonic pulses applied to the neck during apneic events produce spectral and temporal features that can detect apnea occurrence. Theoretical models of ultrasound propagation and an in vitro test were conducted to test this hypothesis in both transmission and reflection modes. Complete specifications and technical details of the system design and fabrication, which is mounted on each subject's neck, are presented, including the methodology. Nine patients (seven male and two female, mean age of 42 years, with a range of 25 to 56 years, and body mass index 37.6 ± 6.6 kg/m²) were recruited for a full night study, which included simultaneous nocturnal polysomnography for the validation of the results. Nine temporal features and four spectral features were extracted from the envelope of the received pulse waveform. These were used to compute 26 metrics to quantify the changes in the ultrasonic waveforms between normal breathing and apneic events. The statistical analysis of the collected ultrasonic data showed that at least two or more of the proposed features could detect apneic events in all subjects. The findings establish the feasibility of the proposed method as a cost-effective and non-invasive OSAHS screening tool.

The effects of time-restricted eating on sleep, cognitive decline, and Alzheimer's disease

According to the United Nations, by 2050, one in six individuals will be over age 65 globally, and one in four people would be aged 65 and older in western countries. The unprecedented growth of the aging population is associated with increased age-related disorders like Alzheimer's disease (AD) and Mild cognitive impairment (MCI). To date, no cure is known for AD, thus lifestyle interventions including calorie restriction (CR) and time-restricted eating (TRE) are proposed as potential approach to delay the onset and progression of the disease. Sleep disturbances are common in people with MCI and AD. Moreover, accumulating data indicates that pro-inflammatory cytokines including tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α), interleukin-1β (IL-1β), IL-6, IL-8 and IL-10 increase in individuals with AD and MCI versus healthy subjects. Thus, the purpose of the present review is to describe the potential effects of TRE on sleep, cognition decline, and neuroinflammatory markers in humans. Preliminary evidence suggests that TRE may produce neuroprotective effects on cognition and reduce neuroinflammatory markers related to AD in humans. To date, no studies investigated the effects of TRE on sleep disturbances and patients with AD. Thereby, the impact of TRE on cognition in individuals with cognitive decline and AD needs to be investigated further in randomized controlled trials (RCTs).

A Prediction Nomogram for Severe Obstructive Sleep Apnea in Snoring Patients: A Retrospective Study

Purpose

Snoring patients, as a high-risk group for OSA, are prone to the combination of severe OSA and face serious health threats. The aim of our study was to develop and validate a nomogram to predict the occurrence of severe OSA in snorers, in order to improve the diagnosis rate and treatment rate in this population.

Patients and Methods

A training cohort of 464 snoring patients treated at our institution from May 2021 to October 2022 was divided into severe OSA and non-severe OSA groups. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression were used to identify potential predictors of severe OSA, and a nomogram model was constructed. An external hospital cohort of 210 patients was utilized as an external validation cohort to test the model. Area under the receiver operating characteristic curve, calibration curve, and decision curve analyses were used to assess the discriminatory power, calibration, and clinical utility of the nomogram, respectively.

Results

Multivariate logistic regression demonstrated that body mass index, Epworth Sleepiness Scale total score, smoking history, morning dry mouth, dream recall, and hypertension were independent predictors of severe OSA. The area under the curve (AUC) of the nomogram constructed from the above six factors is 0.820 (95% CI: 0.782-0.857). The Hosmer-Lemeshow test showed that the model had a good fit (P = 0.972). Both the calibration curve and decision curve of the nomogram demonstrated the corresponding dominance. Moreover, external validation further confirmed the reliability of the predicted nomograms (AUC=0.805, 95% CI: 0.748-0.862).

Conclusion

A nomogram predicting the occurrence of severe OSA in snoring patients was constructed and validated with external data for the first time, and the findings all confirmed the validity of the model. This may help to improve existing clinical decision making, especially at institutions that do not yet have devices for diagnosing OSA.

Risk prediction for Obstructive Sleep Apnea prognostic in Obese patients referred for bariatric surgery

OBJECTIVES

(i) To assess the anthropometric measurements, along with the clinical characteristics and quality of life profiles of the studied patients; (ii) To determine the occurrence and severity of Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA), using polysomnography; and (iii) To identify the best anthropometric and clinical indicators to predict OSA in obese patients who are candidates for bariatric surgery.

METHODS

a prospective observational study conducted in a private clinic, using consecutive sampling of patients eligible for bariatric surgery with a BMI ≥ 40, or with a BMI of ≥ 35 kg/m² accompanied by comorbidities associated with obesity.

RESULTS

Sixty patients were initially selected, of whom 46 agreed to take part in the preoperative evaluation. OSA was observed in 76% of patients, 59% of whom had moderate-to-severe OSA, with a predominance of men in these groups. Among the variables suggesting statistical difference between groups, waist-to-hip ratio (WHR) was the only clinical factor associated with scores the apnea hypopnea index (AHI) ≥ 15, with a cut-off value of 0.95. The results showed that patients scoring above 0.95 are three times more likely to have moderate-to-severe apnea.

CONCLUSION

The best risk factor for the prognostic of moderate-to-severe OSA was presenting a WHR score with a cut-off value of 0.95 or above.