Predictors of adherence to positive airway pressure therapy in children: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Pediatric long-term noninvasive respiratory support in children with central nervous system disorders

RATIONALE

The use of long-term noninvasive respiratory support is increasing in children along with an extension of indications, in particular in children with central nervous system (CNS) disorders.

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this study was to describe the characteristics of children with CNS disorders treated with long-term noninvasive respiratory support in France.

METHODS

Data were collected from 27 French pediatric university centers through an anonymous questionnaire filled for every child treated with noninvasive ventilatory support ≥3 months on 1st June 2019.

MAIN RESULTS

The data of 182 patients (55% boys, median age: 10.2 [5.4;14.8] years old [range: 0.3-25]) were collected: 35 (19%) patients had nontumoral spinal cord injury, 22 (12%) CNS tumors, 63 (35%) multiple disabilities, 26 (14%) central alveolar hypoventilation and 36 (20%) other CNS disorders. Seventy five percent of the patients were treated with noninvasive ventilation (NIV) and 25% with continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP). The main investigations performed before CPAP/NIV initiation were nocturnal gas exchange recordings, alone or coupled with poly(somno)graphy (in 29% and 34% of the patients, respectively). CPAP/NIV was started in an acute setting in 10% of the patients. Median adherence was 8 [6;10] hours/night, with 12% of patients using treatment <4 h/day. Nasal mask was the most common interface (70%). Airway clearance techniques were used by 31% of patients.

CONCLUSION

CPAP/NIV may be a therapeutic option in children with CNS disorders. Future studies should assess treatment efficacy and patient reported outcome measures.

Management of Persistent, Post-adenotonsillectomy Obstructive Sleep Apnea in Children: An Official American Thoracic Society Clinical Practice Guideline

Background: Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is the most common sleep-related breathing disorder. Although adenotonsillectomy is first-line management for pediatric OSA, up to 40% of children may have persistent OSA. This document provides an evidence-based clinical practice guideline on the management of children with persistent OSA. The target audience is clinicians, including physicians, dentists, and allied health professionals, caring for children with OSA. Methods: A multidisciplinary international panel of experts was convened to determine key unanswered questions regarding the management of persistent pediatric OSA. We conducted a systematic review of the relevant literature. The Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development, and Evaluation approach was used to rate the quality of evidence and the strength of the clinical recommendations. The panel members considered the strength of each recommendation and evaluated the benefits and risks of applying the intervention. In formulating the recommendations, the panel considered patient and caregiver values, the cost of care, and feasibility. Results: Recommendations were developed for six management options for persistent OSA. Conclusions: The panel developed recommendations for the management of persistent pediatric OSA based on limited evidence and expert opinion. Important areas for future research were identified for each recommendation.

Sleep Endoscopy and Cine Magnetic Resonance Imaging Evaluation of Children With Persistent Obstructive Sleep Apnea

OBJECTIVE

To compare findings of same-day cine magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and drug-induced sleep endoscopy (DISE) and examine how each technique uniquely contributes to the evaluation of persistent obstructive sleep apnea following adenotonsillectomy.

STUDY DESIGN

Retrospective cohort study.

SETTING

Quaternary care center.

METHODS

Chart review was performed for consecutive patients who underwent same-day cine MRI and DISE between 2015 and 2020. Descriptive statistics are reported, and Cohen kappa coefficients were calculated to evaluate the agreement between cine MRI and DISE for obstruction at the adenoids, lingual tonsils, and tongue base.

RESULTS

There were 137 patients, the mean age was 10.4 years (95% CI, 3.2-16.7), and 62.8% were male. The most common sites of obstruction on DISE were the tongue base (86.9%), velum (78.7%), epiglottis (74.5%), inferior turbinate (68.6%), and lingual tonsil (61.3%). The most common sites of obstruction on cine MRI were the hypopharynx (56.3%), tongue base (44.8%), lingual tonsil (38.0%), and macroglossia (37.6%). There was moderate agreement for adenoid hypertrophy (κ = 0.53) and poor agreement for lingual tonsil hypertrophy (κ = 0.15) and tongue base obstruction (κ = 0.09). DISE identified more instances of multilevel obstruction when compared with cine MRI (94.9% vs 48.2%).

CONCLUSION

DISE offered a better examination of nasal and supraglottic obstruction and is sensitive to partial vs complete collapse, while cine MRI offered better soft tissue resolution for lymphoid tissue hypertrophy and provided a global view of primary and secondary airway obstruction. Cine MRI and DISE are complementary modalities in the evaluation of children with persistent obstructive sleep apnea.

Behavioral and emotional characteristics of Canadian children with obesity and moderate-severe sleep-disordered breathing treated with positive airway pressure: longitudinal changes and associations with adherence

STUDY OBJECTIVES

Behavioral characteristics and outcomes of positive airway pressure (PAP) therapy in children with obesity and moderate-severe sleep-disordered breathing (SDB) have not been reported. Our aims were to 1) determine baseline behavioral/emotional symptoms of this population and characterize changes over time with PAP, and 2) examine associations between baseline behavioral/emotional symptoms and PAP adherence.

METHODS

This multicenter prospective cohort study of children with obesity prescribed PAP for moderate-severe SDB assessed PAP adherence (≥ 4 h/night, >50% of nights, usage diaries, downloads) and compared behavioral/emotional characteristics with parent- and child-reported Conners Rating Scale (Conners) and the Child Behavior Checklist (CBCL) at baseline and 1 year after PAP prescription between adherent and nonadherent participants; scores at baseline were compared retrospectively between adherence groups.

RESULTS

Twenty-four children were included (median 14.1 years [IQR:12.4,16.0]; 87.5% males). Baseline Conners and CBCL scores were elevated (parent- and child-reported Conners inattention and hyperactivity subscales and CBCL subscales [total, internalizing, externalizing]). Baseline parent-reported Conners scores were significantly more elevated in the nonadherent than adherent group (inattention: 73.3 ± 8.5 vs 60.5 ± 14.6, P = .01; hyperactivity: 70.9 ± 11.1 vs 59.1 ± 16.0, P = .05). This difference was present 1 year later for inattention (P = .01) but not for hyperactivity (P = .09). Parent-reported CBCL scores improved over 1 year in adherent but not nonadherent participants.

CONCLUSIONS

We found that children with obesity and moderate-severe SDB have elevated symptoms of behavioral/emotional concerns on standardized testing. Parent-reported emotional characteristics improved in the adherent but not in the nonadherent group. Children with greater inattention/hyperactivity at baseline were less adherent to PAP, suggesting this may contribute to PAP nonadherence.

CITATION

Constantin E, MacLean JE, Barrowman N, et al. Behavioral and emotional characteristics of Canadian children with obesity and moderate-severe sleep-disordered breathing treated with positive airway pressure: longitudinal changes and associations with adherence. J Clin Sleep Med. 2023;19(3):555-562.

Persistent obstructive sleep apnoea in children: treatment options and management considerations

Unresolved obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA) after an adenotonsillectomy, henceforth referred to as persistent OSA, is increasingly recognised in children (2-18 years). Although associated with obesity, underlying medical complexity, and craniofacial disorders, persistent OSA also occurs in otherwise healthy children. Inadequate treatment of persistent OSA can lead to long-term adverse health outcomes beyond childhood. Positive airway pressure, used as a one-size-fits-all primary management strategy for persistent childhood OSA, is highly efficacious but has unacceptably low adherence rates. A pressing need exists for a broader, more effective management approach for persistent OSA in children. In this Personal View, we discuss the use and the need for evaluation of current and novel therapeutics, the role of shared decision-making models that consider patient preferences, and the importance of considering the social determinants of health in research and clinical practice. A multipronged, comprehensive approach to persistent OSA might achieve better clinical outcomes in childhood and promote health equity for all children.

Adherence to Continuous Positive Airway Pressure Therapy in Pediatric Patients with Obstructive Sleep Apnea: A Meta-Analysis

Introduction

Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is a public health problem that affects children. Although continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) therapy is effective, the CPAP adherence rate in children is varied. This study aimed to evaluate the CPAP adherence rate and factors associated with CPAP adherence in children with OSA using a systematic review.

Methods

The inclusion criteria were observational studies conducted in children with OSA and assessed adherence of CPAP using objective evaluation. The literature search was performed in four databases. Meta-analysis using fixed-effect model was conducted to combine results among included studies.

Results

In all, 34 studies that evaluated adherence rate and predictors of CPAP adherence in children with OSA were included, representing 21,737 patients with an average adherence rate of 46.56%. There were 11 calculations of factors predictive of CPAP adherence: age, sex, ethnicity, body mass index, obesity, income, sleep efficiency, the apnea-hypopnea index (AHI), severity of OSA, residual AHI, and lowest oxygen saturation level. Three different factors were linked to children with adherence and non-adherence to CPAP: age, body mass index, and AHI.

Conclusion

The CPAP adherence rate in children with OSA was 46.56%. Young age, low body mass index, and high AHI were associated with acceptable CPAP adherence in children with OSA.

Impact of COVID-19 pandemic on adherence to noninvasive ventilation in children

STUDY OBJECTIVES

The aim of this study was to measure changes in adherence to noninvasive ventilation (NIV) in children during the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic.

METHODS

Retrospective chart review of children (0-18 years) using home NIV through the Stollery's Pediatric NIV program in Edmonton, Canada during March 2019 to March 2021. Demographics, clinical characteristics, and adherence information from machine downloads were collected prior to and during the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic. Paired t tests and Chi-square compared adherence prepandemic and during pandemic and repeated analysis of variance tests compared adherence pre- and 0-6 and 6-12 months during pandemic.

RESULTS

Eighty-two children met inclusion criteria (62% male; age 8.6 ± 4.6 years). Overall, there were no changes in NIV adherence during pandemic (average NIV minutes pre- and during pandemic of 390 ± 219 and 405 ± 300 minutes, respectively). When separated into increased vs decreased adherence groups, adherence differences pre- compared to during pandemic became significant, with no differences across demographic/clinical variables or prepandemic adherence. There were no changes in NIV adherence during the initial 6 months of pandemic compared to prepandemic, but NIV use significantly increased by 9-57 minutes during the following 6-12 months. Bilevel positive airway users had longer NIV use than continuous positive airway pressure users at all time points, with an overall increasing trend over time.

CONCLUSIONS

Despite the significant life disruption created by COVID-19 and changes to virtual care, children using home NIV maintained adequate adherence. Qualitative research is needed to understand the nuances of using NIV during the pandemic and potential advantages of virtual care for support of these children and families.

CITATION

Halperin H, Chalifour M, Bedi PK, et al. Impact of COVID-19 pandemic on adherence to noninvasive ventilation in children. J Clin Sleep Med. 2023;19(1):179-188.

Factors affecting pediatric adherence to positive airway pressure: Patient- and caregiver-reported treatment barriers and sleep difficulties

OBJECTIVE/BACKGROUND

Adherence to positive airway pressure (PAP) treatment among children and adolescents is often suboptimal. Little is understood about modifiable determinants of PAP adherence. We evaluated whether patient and caregiver-perceived treatment barriers (across behavioral, environmental, emotional, and physical domains), as well as insomnia severity, were associated with PAP adherence among youth with sleep disordered breathing (SDB).

PATIENTS/METHODS

We conducted a retrospective review of 188 patients prescribed PAP, ages 2-19 years. At the clinical visit, PAP adherence was assessed via objective download/smartcard and patients and their caregivers completed validated standardized questionnaires on barriers to PAP adherence and sleep onset and maintenance difficulties. We tested predictors of PAP adherence using linear regression.

RESULTS

On average, patients wore their PAP 2/3 of nights for 5.3 ± 3.4 h. Patients reported more barriers overall compared to caregivers, and specifically more behavioral and emotional barriers (e.g., over a third of patients reported they just want to forget about sleep apnea). After controlling for demographic/treatment characteristics, patient-reported barriers accounted for a significant proportion of the variance in percent nights used (51%) and average nightly use (42%). Greater difficulties with sleep maintenance predicted poorer PAP adherence (percent nights and nightly duration).

CONCLUSIONS

Study findings suggest that assessment of both patient and caregiver-perceived barriers to PAP adherence, as well as evaluating for sleep maintenance concerns, may provide important treatment targets for promoting PAP adherence among youth. Results also support the potential benefit of a multi-disciplinary team-based approach to managing SDB and promoting PAP adherence.

Adherence to e-health interventions for substance use and the factors influencing it: Systematic Review, meta-analysis, and meta-regression

Background

Substance use disorders affect 36 million people globally, but only a small proportion of them receive the necessary treatment. E-health interventions have been developed to address this issue by improving access to substance use treatment. However, concerns about participant engagement and adherence to these interventions remain. This review aimed to evaluate adherence to e-health interventions targeting substance use and identify hypothesized predictors of adherence.

Methods

A systematic review of literature published between 2009 and 2020 was conducted, and data on adherence measures and hypothesized predictors were extracted. Meta-analysis and meta-regression were used to analyze the data. The two adherence measures were (a) the mean proportion of modules completed across the intervention groups and (b) the proportion of participants that completed all modules. Four meta-regression models assessed each covariate including guidance, blended treatment, intervention duration and recruitment strategy.

Results

The overall pooled adherence rate was 0.60 (95%-CI: 0.52-0.67) for the mean proportion of modules completed across 30 intervention arms and 0.47 (95%-CI: 0.35-0.59) for the proportion of participants that completed all modules across 9 intervention arms. Guidance, blended treatment, and recruitment were significant predictors of adherence, while treatment duration was not.

Conclusion

The study suggests that more research is needed to identify predictors of adherence, in order to determine specific aspects that contribute to better exposure to intervention content. Reporting adherence and predictors in future studies can lead to improved meta-analyses and the development of more engaging interventions. Identifying predictors can aid in designing effective interventions for substance use disorders, with important implications for e-health interventions targeting substance use.

Positive airway pressure for the treatment of the childhood obstructive sleep apnea syndrome

In this review, we have summarized the benefits of treatment with positive airway pressure for the childhood obstructive sleep apnea syndrome and presented a socio-ecological framework to enhance our understanding of positive airway pressure adherence predictors and important targets of comprehensive positive airway pressure treatment models across different pediatric populations. Although positive airway pressure is clearly a beneficial treatment for pediatric obstructive sleep apnea syndrome, additional research is needed to evaluate how socio-ecological factors may interact to predict positive airway pressure adherence, with more attention to the impact of the broader healthcare setting and on treatment approaches and outcomes in special pediatric populations.

A social media intervention for the families of young Black men with obstructive sleep apnoea

OBJECTIVE

To address positive airway pressure (PAP) adherence in adolescents diagnosed with obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA) by pilot testing a novel, online, facilitated, peer-support and health education programme for families.

DESIGN SETTING AND METHODS

Families participated in separate Facebook peer-groups (adolescent [n=6] and parent [n=6]) for four weeks, followed by face-to-face interviews. Participants received OSA and PAP educational videos and posts, engaged with questions and polls, and viewed de-identified postings of peer PAP use data.

RESULTS

Adolescent participants were young Black males aged 13-17 years (n=6) with obesity (n=5), severe sleep apnoea (100%) and 4-15 months of prior PAP use. Parent participants were mothers (n=4) and fathers (n=2). Four of six young males increased their mean PAP use during the intervention period. Overall, parents were more engaged with the Facebook group page than adolescents, but interviews revealed the online group/peer-support and education provided was highly regarded and appreciated by families. Parents were particularly appreciative of being involved in care and diagnosis in this way.

CONCLUSION

Results of this pilot trial provide important data regarding intervention design, content, and delivery approaches to be considered in the development of future interventions aiming to engage families and improve adolescent PAP adherence.

Similar effect of hypoglossal nerve stimulation for obstructive sleep apnea in 5 disease severity categories

STUDY OBJECTIVES

Data on adherence and outcome of upper airway stimulation (UAS) for patients with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) are collected in an international registry (ADHERE). Previous publications report significant improvement in self-reported and objective OSA outcomes, durable effectiveness, and high adherence. Debate remains whether the effectiveness of UAS is influenced by preoperative OSA severity; therefore, we aimed to evaluate this using data from the ADHERE Registry.

METHODS

ADHERE is a postmarket, ongoing, international multicenter registry. Adult patients were included if they had undergone UAS implantation and had at least 1 follow-up visit recorded in the database on June 8, 2021. We divided the patients into 5 subgroups, based on OSA severity at baseline (AHI in events/h): subgroup 1 (0-15), 2 (15-30), 3 (≥ 30-50), 4 (> 50-65), and 5 (> 65). We compared results regarding objective and self-reported treatment outcomes.

RESULTS

A total of 1,963 patients were included. Twelve months after implantation, there was a significant (P < .0001) improvement in objective sleep parameters in all subgroups with an AHI above 15 events/h. Patients in subgroup 1 had the lowest AHI at the final visit and the AHI reduction in patients in subgroup 5 was the largest (P < .0001). No significant difference was found between the subgroups in overall treatment success (66.6%) and improvement in self-reported outcomes.

CONCLUSIONS

Our results suggest that UAS is an effective treatment for patients with an AHI ≥ 15 events/h, independent of preoperative OSA severity. Self-reported outcomes and treatment success did not differ significantly between the 5 subgroups. These results clearly support that the indication of UAS could be broadened for patients with an AHI above 65 events/h, which, to date, is not common practice.

CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION

Registry: ClinicalTrials.gov; Title: Adherence and Outcome of Upper Airway Stimulation (UAS) for OSA International Registry (ADHERE Registry); Identifier: NCT02907398; URL: https://www.clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT02907398.

CITATION

Bosschieter PFN, de Vries N, Mehra R, et al. Similar effect of hypoglossal nerve stimulation for obstructive sleep apnea in 5 disease severity categories. J Clin Sleep Med. 2022;18(6):1657-1665.

Routine lung volume recruitment in boys with Duchenne muscular dystrophy: a randomised clinical trial

BACKGROUND

Impaired cough results in airway secretion retention, atelectasis and pneumonia in individuals with Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD). Lung volume recruitment (LVR) stacks breaths to inflate the lungs to greater volumes than spontaneous effort. LVR is recommended in DMD clinical care guidelines but is not well studied. We aimed to determine whether twice-daily LVR, compared with standard of care alone, attenuates the decline in FVC at 2 years in boys with DMD.

METHODS

In this multicentre, assessor-blinded, randomised controlled trial, boys with DMD, aged 6-16 years with FVC >30% predicted, were randomised to receive conventional treatment or conventional treatment plus manual LVR twice daily for 2 years. The primary outcome was FVC % predicted at 2 years, adjusted for baseline FVC % predicted, age and ambulatory status. Secondary outcomes included change in chest wall distensibility (maximal insufflation capacity minus FVC) and peak cough flow.

RESULTS

Sixty-six boys (36 in LVR group, 30 in control) were evaluated (median age (IQR): 11.5 years (9.5-13.5), median baseline FVC (IQR): 85% predicted (73-96)). Adjusted mean difference in FVC between groups at 2 years was 1.9% predicted (95% CI -6.9% to 10.7%; p=0.68) in the direction of treatment benefit. We found no differences in secondary outcomes.

CONCLUSION

There was no difference in decline in FVC % predicted with use of twice-daily LVR for boys with DMD and relatively normal lung function. The burden associated with routine LVR may outweigh the benefit. Benefits of LVR to maintain lung health in boys with worse baseline lung function still need to be clarified.

TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER

NCT01999075.

Clinical predictors of nonadherence to positive airway pressure therapy in children: a retrospective cohort study

STUDY OBJECTIVES

Despite the importance of treating sleep-disordered breathing, positive airway pressure adherence rates in children are low. Identifying readily available predictors of nonadherence would enable the development of targeted interventions and supports, but literature is limited. Our objective was to identify baseline clinical predictors of 6-month positive airway pressure therapy nonadherence in children with SDB through a retrospective cohort study.

METHODS

This study evaluated children (ages 8-17 years) prescribed positive airway pressure therapy for sleep-disordered breathing between 2011 and 2017 at a single pediatric tertiary hospital. The primary outcome was nonadherence at 6 months, measured using both machine downloads and self-report. Candidate baseline predictors included demographics, comorbidities, and sleep-disordered breathing characteristics. Relative risks (RR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) were estimated using a modified Poisson regression. Missing data were imputed prior to analysis.

RESULTS

The study included 104 children. The independent predictors most strongly associated with greater nonadherence were older age (RR = 1.08 for a 1-year increase; 95% CI, 1.00-1.16) and higher oxygen saturation nadir (RR = 1.03 for a 1% increase; 95% CI, 1.00-1.05), whereas those most strongly associated with lower nonadherence were higher arousal index (RR = 0.97 for a 1 event/h increase; 95% CI, 0.95-1.00), developmental delay (RR = 0.58; 95% CI, 0.30-1.13), and asthma (RR = 0.72; 95% CI, 0.44-1.17).

CONCLUSIONS

Overall, children who are older, have less-severe sleep-disordered breathing, or less-disrupted sleep at baseline are more likely to be nonadherent to positive airway pressure therapy and may benefit from additional supports to acclimatize to therapy. As clinical predictors were only weakly associated with nonadherence, nonclinical characteristics may play a larger role in predicting adherence.

Predictors of longitudinal outcomes for children using long-term noninvasive ventilation

BACKGROUND

Noninvasive ventilation (NIV) is a first-line therapy for sleep-related breathing disorders and chronic respiratory insufficiency. Evidence about predictors that may impact long-term NIV outcomes, however, is scarce. The aim of this study is to determine demographic, clinical, and technology-related predictors of long-term NIV outcomes.

METHODS

A 10-year multicentred retrospective review of children started on long-term continuous or bilevel positive airway pressure (CPAP or BPAP) in Alberta. Demographic, technology-related, and longitudinal clinical data were collected. Long-term outcomes examined included ongoing NIV use, discontinuation due to improvement in underlying conditions, switch to invasive mechanical ventilation (IMV) or death, patient/family therapy declination, transfer of services, and hospital admissions.

RESULTS

A total of 622 children were included. Both younger age and CPAP use predicted higher likelihood for NIV discontinuation due to improvement in underlying conditions (p < .05 and p < .01). Children with upper airway disorders or bronchopulmonary dysplasia were less likely to continue NIV (p < .05), while presence of central nervous system disorders had a higher likelihood of hospitalizations (p < .01). The presence of obesity/metabolic syndrome and early NIV-associated complications predicted higher risk for NIV declination (p < .05). Children with more comorbidities or use of additional therapies required more hospitalizations (p < .05 and p < .01) and the latter also predicted higher risk for being switched to IMV or death (p < .001).

CONCLUSIONS

Demographic, clinical data, and NIV type impact long-term NIV outcomes and need to be considered during initial discussions about therapy expectations with families. Knowledge of factors that may impact long-term NIV outcomes might help to better monitor at-risk patients and minimize adverse outcomes.

Defining the patterns of PAP adherence in pediatric obstructive sleep apnea: a clustering analysis using real-world data

STUDY OBJECTIVES

The implementation of positive airway pressure (PAP) therapy to treat obstructive sleep apnea in children is a complex process. PAP therapy data are highly heterogeneous in pediatrics, and the clinical management cannot be generalized. We hypothesize that pediatric PAP users can be subgrouped via clustering analysis to guide tailored interventions.

METHODS

PAP therapy data for 250 children with obstructive sleep apnea were retrospectively examined using unsupervised hierarchical cluster analysis based on (1) PAP tolerance (average hours on days used) and (2) consistency of PAP use (percentage of days used). Clinical features in each cluster were defined, and a tree decision analysis was generated for clinical implementation.

RESULTS

We were able to subclassify all 250 children (median age = 11.5 years) into five clusters: A (13.6%), B (29.6%), C (17.6%), D (16.4%), and E (22.8%). The clusters showed significant differences in PAP use patterns (Kruskal-Wallis P value < 1e-16). The most consistent PAP use patterns were seen in clusters A, B, and C. Major differences across clusters included the prevalence of obesity, PAP setting, developmental delay, and adenotonsillectomy. We also identified important differences in mask acceptance, OSA severity, and individual responses to PAP therapy based on objective apnea-hypopnea reductions in PAP downloads.

CONCLUSIONS

A simple method to subset PAP use patterns in children can be implemented by analyzing cloud-based PAP therapy data. This novel approach may contribute to optimization of PAP therapy in children of all ages based on real-world evidence at the individual level.

Paediatrics: how to manage obstructive sleep apnoea syndrome

Obstructive sleep apnoea syndrome (OSAS) is defined as the intermittent reduction or cessation of airflow due to partial or complete obstruction of the upper airway during sleep. Paediatric OSAS has specific contributing factors, presenting symptoms and management strategies in various age groups. Untreated OSAS can lead to detrimental effects on neurocognitive development and cardiovascular and metabolic functions of a growing child. In the past decade, practice guidelines have been developed to guide the evaluation and management of OSAS. This article provides a narrative review on the current diagnostic and treatment options for paediatric OSAS. Alternative diagnostic tools other than the standard polysomnography are discussed. Adenotonsillectomy is considered the first-line therapy yet it is not suitable for treatment of all OSAS cases. Nocturnal non-invasive positive airway pressure ventilation is effective and could be the priority treatment for patients with complex comorbidities, residual OSAS post-adenotonsillectomy or obesity. However, intolerance and non-adherence are major challenges of positive airway pressure therapy especially in young children. There is increasing evidence for watchful waiting and other gentler alternative treatment options in mild OSAS. The role of anti-inflammatory drugs as the primary or adjunctive treatment is discussed. Other treatment options, including weight reduction, orthodontic procedures and myofunctional therapy, are indicated for selected patients. Nevertheless, the successful management of paediatric OSAS often requires a multidisciplinary team approach.

Creating enriched training sets of eligible studies for large systematic reviews: the utility of PubMed's Best Match algorithm

INTRODUCTION

Solutions like crowd screening and machine learning can assist systematic reviewers with heavy screening burdens but require training sets containing a mix of eligible and ineligible studies. This study explores using PubMed's Best Match algorithm to create small training sets containing at least five relevant studies.

METHODS

Six systematic reviews were examined retrospectively. MEDLINE searches were converted and run in PubMed. The ranking of included studies was studied under both Best Match and Most Recent sort conditions.

RESULTS

Retrieval sizes for the systematic reviews ranged from 151 to 5,406 records and the numbers of relevant records ranged from 8 to 763. The median ranking of relevant records was higher in Best Match for all six reviews, when compared with Most Recent sort. Best Match placed a total of thirty relevant records in the first fifty, at least one for each systematic review. Most Recent sorting placed only ten relevant records in the first fifty. Best Match sorting outperformed Most Recent in all cases and placed five or more relevant records in the first fifty in three of six cases.

DISCUSSION

Using a predetermined set size such as fifty may not provide enough true positives for an effective systematic review training set. However, screening PubMed records ranked by Best Match and continuing until the desired number of true positives are identified is efficient and effective.

CONCLUSIONS

The Best Match sort in PubMed improves the ranking and increases the proportion of relevant records in the first fifty records relative to sorting by recency.

Incidence of cure and residual obstructive sleep apnea in obese children after tonsillectomy and adenoidectomy stratified by age group

OBJECTIVES

Current clinical guidelines by the American Academy of Pediatrics recommends adenotonsillectomy (T&A) as the first-line treatment for pediatric OSA. However, obese children experience a decreased incidence of cure from T&A compared to non-obese children, with obesity increasing risk of residual post-operative OSA by up to 3.7-fold. In addition to obesity, increased age has also been linked to more severe baseline OSA, among other factors. In this study, we examined how age effects the post-operative outcome in obese children with OSA.

METHODS

A retrospective chart review was performed to assess post-operative T&A polysomnography outcomes of obese children. Inclusion criteria included patients who were 17 years old and younger, underwent T&A, were obese and had both pre- and post-operative sleep studies. The patients were split into 3 different groups based on their age: Group 1 (0-6 years old), Group 2 (7-11 years old), and Group 3 (12-17 years old).

RESULTS

55 patients were included in the study: 13 in Group 1, 20 in Group 2, and 22 in Group 3. For Groups 1, 2, and 3 respectively, data averages were BMI percentile 99.20, 98.49, and 98.92 (P = 2.77); z-score 2.79, 2.36, and 2.45 (P = 0.026), tonsil size 3.17, 3.15, and 3.23 (P = 0.898), adenoid size 2.42, 2.05, and 1.77 (P = 0.015), time between the preoperative and postoperative PSG 179, 240, and 202 days (P = 0.481), and time from surgery to postoperative PSG 126, 170, and 127 days (P = 0.544). The average preoperative oAHI was 52.56, 41.23, and 43.49 (P = 0.732), post-operative oAHI was 1.94, 4.79, and 4.44 (P=.417); and change in oAHI was 50.62, 36.44, and 39.25 (P = 0.617). When comparing the age group of 0-6-year-olds to the older remaining patients, the post-operative oAHI was the only variable to show a significant difference between the two-groups with a P value of 0.038. The percentage of patients with post-operative resolution of OSA (oAHI<2), mild, moderate, and severe OSA, respectively, were 53%, 29%, 9%, and 9% for all patients, 70%, 23.1%, 7%, and 0% for group 1; 50%, 35%, 5%, and 10% for group 2; and 45%, 27%, 13%, and 13% for group 3. The percent of the patients requiring post-surgical nighttime airway support were 18%, 7%, 15%, and 26% for Groups All, 1, 2, and 3, respectively.

CONCLUSION

We found that despite having the highest rates of obesity and the most severe OSA, obese patients under 7 years old performed better following T&A, with greater cure rate, overall reduction of oAHI, and decreased need for post-surgical nighttime airway support.