Personality profiles in patients with obstructive sleep apnea

Nasal obstruction in adults: how it affects psychological status?

OBJECTIVE

This study investigated the psychological status of patients with unilateral or bilateral complete nasal obstruction.

METHOD

The study included 49 consecutive cases of unilateral or bilateral complete nasal obstruction. In order to assess participants' personality traits, both groups completed the Personality Belief Questionnaire, State-Trait Anxiety Inventory form, Beck Depression Inventory and Beck Anxiety Inventory.

RESULTS

The groups were similar in terms of demographic characteristics. Patients with unilateral or bilateral complete nasal obstruction had higher scores on all the psychological assessments compared with the healthy controls, except for the Beck Anxiety Inventory. Although all personality assessment scores were higher in patients, the only differences that were statistically significant were in the dependent, antisocial and avoidant personality trait scores.

CONCLUSION

The psychological conditions of patients with structural deformities that cause nasal obstruction may be affected, and appropriate treatment should be provided to improve their symptoms and quality of life.

[Factors affecting adherence to CPAP therapy in patients with obstructive sleep apnea syndrome]

OBJECTIVE

Analysis of factors affecting adherence to continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) therapy in patients with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA).

MATERIAL AND METHODS

The literature search was carried out using the databases PubMED, Google Scholar, E-library, Cyberleninka for the period 2013-2023 and included reviews and original articles.

RESULTS

The main groups of factors affecting adherence to CPAP therapy in patients with OSA have been established. These include sociodemographic and socioeconomic factors, the severity of OSA and the severity of clinical symptoms, and psychosocial factors. Strategies that can improve adherence were identified (educational technologies for patients, telemedicine technologies, behavioral therapy, modern technical interventions).

CONCLUSION

Factors that improve adherence to CPAP therapy are high levels of education and income, more severe OSA forms accompanied by daytime sleepiness, support from the patient's spouse and social support. Factors such as low levels of education and income, smoking, symptoms of depression and hypochondria, as well as side-effects worsen adherence to CPAP therapy, including refusal to continue treatment. It should be noted that all the identified factors are very closely associated with each other, so it is necessary to evaluate them comprehensively in each patient with OSA.

Factors Affecting Automatic Positive Airway Pressure Therapy Adherence in Patients Who had Completed the 3-Month Compliance Assessment for Korean National Health Insurance Coverage

Background and Objective The numbers of prescriptions for continuous positive airway pressure and automatic positive airway pressure (APAP) machines have increased dramatically since the Korean government changed national health insurance coverage. This study examined adherence to APAP therapy in patients with obstructive sleep apnea who completed the 3-month adaptation period required by the insurance service, and evaluated the factors predictive of good adherence.Methods We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of a total of 315 patients who received APAP prescriptions between July 2018 and December 2019. After screening, 189 patients were analyzed. Patients were divided into an adherent (AD) group and a non-adherent (NAD) group based on 9 months’ APAP adherence. Patient demographics, medical history, body mass index and pretreatment polysomnography results, as well as APAP therapy adherence-related variables, the 90th percentile pressure, residual apnea hypopnea status, and type of devices or managers were compared between the two groups.Results We found mean usage times, mean pressures, days with ≥ 4 hours of use a day, and 90th percentile pressures differed significantly between the AD and NAD groups. The device-related data at months 1 and 3 and 9 were similar. One type of device performed differently compared to the other devices, but this did not affect adherence.Conclusions The mean pressure and 90th percentile pressure were the main determinants of adherence in patients who passed a 3-month compliance assessment conducted by the Korean National Institute of Health. The data on adherence at months 1, 3 and 9 were similar.

Improving outcomes of hypoglossal nerve stimulation therapy: current practice, future directions and research gaps. Proceedings of the 2019 International Sleep Surgery Society Research Forum

Hypoglossal nerve stimulation (HGNS) has evolved as a novel and effective therapy for patients with moderate-to-severe obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). Despite positive published outcomes of HGNS, there exist uncertainties regarding proper patient selection, surgical technique, and the reporting of outcomes and individual factors that impact therapy effectiveness. According to current guidelines, this therapy is indicated for select patients, and recommendations are based on the Stimulation Therapy for Apnea Reduction (STAR) trial. Ongoing research and physician experiences continuously improve methods to optimize the therapy. An understanding of the way in which airway anatomy, OSA phenotypes, individual health status, psychological conditions and comorbid sleep disorders influence the effectiveness of HGNS is essential to improve outcomes and expand therapy indications. This manuscript presents discussions on current evidence, future directions, and research gaps for HGNS therapy from the 10th International Surgical Sleep Society expert research panel.

A review of psychosocial factors and personality in the treatment of obstructive sleep apnoea

Effective treatment of obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA) is primarily determined by adherence to the selected intervention. The most common treatment pathways are mechanical devices such as continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) or a mandibular advancement device, often combined with weight loss therapy. Weight reduction is usually an adjunct therapy but may be used as a secondary treatment in mild-to-moderate OSA when mechanical treatments cannot be tolerated. To enhance the uptake and adherence to treatment, clinicians may assess patient's personality profiles and psychological readiness. There is a paucity of evidence related to these aspects of patient care and this article outlines the current research in relation to patient presentation, treatment uptake and barriers, and methods to enhance treatment adherence.

This article disseminates personality traits observed in patients with OSA and identifies vulnerable groups who may require additional support to increase treatment adherence. It summarises the current evidence for treatment barriers in patients with OSA. Low self-efficacy in relation to CPAP and weight loss adherence will be explored as well as the potential to predict treatment responders and enhance therapeutic uptake and adherence. Extending personality traits into research and clinical practice could potentially result in more successful CPAP therapy and weight loss treatment outcomes.

Sleep disorders in patients with ADHD: impact and management challenges

Attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is one of the most commonly diagnosed disorders in childhood, enduring through adolescence and adulthood and presenting with symptoms of inattention, hyperactivity, and/or impulsivity and significantly impairing functioning. Primary sleep disorders such as sleep-disordered breathing, restless leg syndrome, circadian rhythm sleep disorder, insomnia, and narcolepsy are commonly comorbid in these individuals but not often assessed and are therefore often left untreated. Sleep disturbances in individuals with ADHD can result in significant functional impairments that affect mood, attention, behavior, and ultimately school/work performance and quality of life. Previous reviews have described findings related to sleep but have neglected to examine potential impacts of these sleep disorders and ADHD on daytime functioning. This review investigates empirical findings pertaining to sleep abnormalities and related cognitive, behavioral, emotional, and physical impairments in individuals with ADHD and comorbid primary sleep disorders across the life span. It discusses implications to management and highlights existing limitations and recommended future directions.

Does personality play a role in continuous positive airway pressure compliance?

Key points

Obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA) is a condition characterised by repetitive, intermittent partial or complete collapse/obstruction of the upper airway during sleep. Continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) is highly efficacious in treating OSA but its effectiveness is limited due to suboptimal acceptance and adherence rates, with as many as 50% of OSA patients discontinuing CPAP treatment within the first year. Until recently, research has focused on examining mechanistic and demographic factors that could explain nonadherence (e.g. age, sex, race and education level) with limited applicability in a prospective or clinical manner.

More recent research has focused on personality factors or types of patients with OSA who comply and do not comply with CPAP adherence in an attempt to enhance the accuracy of predicting treatment compliance. Type D personality has been found to be prevalent in one third of patients with OSA. The presence of Type D personality increases noncompliance and poor treatment outcomes due to negative affectivity, social inhibition, unhealthy lifestyle, and a reluctance to consult and/or follow medical advice. Conversely, individuals who are more likely to adhere to CPAP treatment tend to have a high internal locus of control and high self-efficacy, self-refer for treatment, and have active coping skills. By assessing personality and coping skills, the clinician may gain insight into the likelihood of a patient’s adherence to treatment. If the patient displays potential risk factors for CPAP noncompliance, the clinician can offer the patient education, refer them to a support group, engage in behavioural/motivational therapy and undertake regular follow-up visits or phone calls incorporating troubleshooting to increase CPAP adherence, especially in individuals with Type D personality.

OSA patients should be assessed for Type D personality to determine likely CPAP compliancehttp://ow.ly/DIbb309cMPH

Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory profile in patients with restless legs syndrome

INTRODUCTION

Restless legs syndrome (RLS) is associated with psychiatric disorders. We aim to investigate the personality traits of RLS patients using the Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory.

METHODS

Twenty adult patients with RLS (14 females and 6 males) and 20 healthy controls (14 females and 6 males) who were referred to university neurology were enrolled in the present study. Diagnosis of RLS was established using International Restless Legs Syndrome Study Group. Psychometric evaluation was made with the Turkish version of the Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory.

RESULTS

RLS patients have significantly higher absolute and clinical elevation scores on hypochondriasis and hysteria, and clinical elevation scores on psychasthenia, compared with the controls. Absolute scores on depression were higher at the border in RLS patients compared with the controls.

DISCUSSION

RLS patients have hypochondriac, hysterical, depressive, and anxious personality traits.

Impact of type D personality on adherence to oral appliance therapy for sleep-disordered breathing

PURPOSE

Type D personality, defined as a combination of social inhibition and negative affectivity, has been associated with poor medication adherence and lower adherence to continuous positive airway pressure in patients with sleep-disordered breathing. Up to this date, the association of patient's personality with adherence with a mandibular advancement device (MAD) has not been studied. The purposes of this study were to examine the association between type D personality and poor adherence to MAD treatment and to examine the impact of type D personality on perceived side effects during this treatment.

METHODS

Eighty-two patients out of 113 patients with a known baseline type D scale who have started MAD treatment between June 2006 and December 2009 were included. Information about side effects and adherence were collected via a postal questionnaire. Thirty-three patients were using a monobloc MAD and 49 patients were using a duobloc MAD.

RESULTS

Forty-five percent of type D patients discontinued MAD treatment, whereas only 15 % of non-type D patients reported treatment discontinuation. The odds ratio for treatment discontinuation was 6.03 (95 % confidence interval 1.22-29.81; p = 0.027) for type D personality, adjusted for age, gender, MAD type (monobloc or duobloc), and decrease in apnea severity. In continuing MAD users, no significant difference in perceived side effects was reported between the personality types.

CONCLUSION

This is the first study to examine the relationship between type D personality and adherence to MAD treatment. Type D patients reported a significantly higher discontinuation rate when compared to patients without type D personality.