Insomnia complaints in lean patients with obstructive sleep apnea negatively affect positive airway pressure treatment adherence

Sleep Deficiency in Obstructive Sleep Apnea

Sleep deficiency in patients with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) includes abnormal quality, timing and duration of sleep, and the presence of other comorbid conditions. These include insomnia, circadian misalignment disorders, and periodic limb movements of sleep, among others. The co-occurrence of these conditions with OSA likely plays a role in pathogenesis, clinical presentation, and management of OSA. Considering these conditions and their treatment in evaluating sleep deficiency in OSA may help improve patient outcomes. However, future research is needed to understand the intersection between OSA and these disorders.

Nocturnal gastro-oesophageal reflux and respiratory symptoms are increased in sleep apnoea: comparison with the general population

AIM

To assess respiratory symptoms and nocturnal gastro-oesophageal reflux (nGER) among untreated obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA) patients, compared with the general population. Also, if nGER associates differently with respiratory symptoms among OSA patients.

METHODS

2 study cohorts were included: 822 newly diagnosed subjects with moderate-severe OSA and 738 Icelandic general population study participants. All participants answered the same questionnaires. Those reporting nGER symptoms at least once per week were defined as 'with nGER'; those without nGER symptoms and without nGER medication were defined as 'no nGER'; and other participants were defined as having 'possible nGER'. Propensity score-based weights were used to minimise confounding and selection bias and facilitate causal interpretations.

RESULTS

The prevalence of nGER among OSA patients was 14.1%, compared with 5.8% in the general population. This increased prevalence in OSA was not explained by differences in age, gender, body mass index, smoking, hypertension and diabetes (adjusted OR (95% CI)=3.79 (2.24 to 6.43)). OSA patients 'with nGER' and with 'possible nGER' reported more wheezing (44% and 44% vs 25%, respectively) and productive cough (47% and 42% vs 29%, respectively), compared with OSA patients with 'no nGER'. The same pattern was seen in the general population, although with a generally lower prevalence. The effect of nGER on respiratory symptoms was similar between the two cohorts.

CONCLUSION

nGER was more often reported among untreated moderate-severe OSA patients than in the general population. Participants with nGER had more wheezing and productive cough, both among untreated OSA patients and in the general population.

Co-morbid insomnia and sleep apnea (COMISA): recent research and future directions

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

Insomnia and obstructive sleep apnea have previously been viewed as completely independent conditions. However, there is now increasing recognition that insomnia and sleep apnea frequently co-occur. Co-morbid insomnia and sleep apnea (COMISA) is a highly prevalent condition that is associated with impairment of sleep, daytime function, mental health and physical health outcomes, and mortality risk. This review aims to provide an update on COMISA prevalence, consequences, treatment approaches, and future research directions.

RECENT FINDINGS

People with COMISA experience worse sleep, mental health, physical health, quality of life and longevity compared to people with neither condition, and often compared to those with insomnia alone and sleep apnea alone. Emerging evidence suggests that cognitive behavioral therapy for insomnia is an effective treatment in the presence of treated and untreated sleep apnea, that may also improve manifestations and subsequent management of sleep apnea. Future research is required to understand the etiology of COMISA, and to develop and implement tailored treatment approaches.

SUMMARY

It is important for sleep and respiratory technicians, researchers and clinicians to be aware of the high co-morbidity rates, consequences, and treatment requirements of patients with co-morbid insomnia and sleep apnea.

Treatment options in obstructive sleep apnea

Treatment of OSA with CPAP is currently the recommended treatment and has the greatest evidence of efficacy on AHI, symptoms and comorbidities. Symptomatic patients with moderate-severe OSA generally have good adherence to CPAP therapy, while those with mild OSA, female, young and generally paucisymptomatic, have lower CPAP adherence, especially in the medium and long term. The recent identification of different clinical and pathophysiological phenotypes of OSA has paved the way for alternative treatments to CPAP, leading to an increasingly personalized therapy. Weight loss and lifestyle modifications are highly recommended in all obese or overweight patients. Mandibular advancement devices (MAD), positional therapy (PT) and hypoglossal nerve stimulation (HSN) are recent and personalized alternative therapies on which there is promising and encouraging data but with still little strong scientific evidence. The purpose of this review is to compare the efficacy, adherence and costs of various therapeutic options for OSA patients in the light of recent evidence and to provide useful guidance for specialists.

Sleep Deficiency in Obstructive Sleep Apnea

Sleep deficiency in patients with obstructive sleep apnea includes abnormal quality, timing, and duration of sleep, and the presence of other comorbid conditions. These include insomnia, circadian misalignment disorders, and periodic limb movements of sleep. The co-occurrence of these conditions with obstructive sleep apnea likely plays a role in the pathogenesis, clinical presentation, and management of obstructive sleep apnea. Considering these conditions and their treatment in evaluating sleep deficiency in obstructive sleep apnea may help to improve patient outcomes. However, future research is needed to understand the intersection between obstructive sleep apnea and these disorders.

Sex differences in the effectiveness and affecting factors to adherence of continuous positive airway pressure therapy

Although sex differences in clinical backgrounds of patients with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) are well known, studies of sex differences about the influencing factors on adherence to continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) are very sparse. Our aim was to investigate the effects of CPAP use affecting therapeutic adherence in sex differences. We retrospectively assessed demographic data, clinical characteristics, OSA-related symptoms, and effects and adherence of CPAP use in 348 patients (264 males, median age 58 years) who continued CPAP for at least 1 year. Poor adherence was defined as CPAP dropout within 1 year after starting CPAP or the average cumulative CPAP use less than four hours/night. We also studied the predictors or influencing factors of CPAP adherence by multivariate logistic regression analyses. Age was higher and the severity of OSA was lower in female patients. Although the adherence level itself was not significantly different between both sexes, influencing factors were different. OSA severity, such as apnea-hypopnea index and sleepiness, and many effects from CPAP use (respiratory difficulty, difficult adaptation to CPAP use, improved awakening, reduced nocturia, and easy adaptation to CPAP) influenced adherence only in men. Common factors of poor adherence in both sexes were lower age, insomnia by CPAP use, and improved daytime sleepiness. No other specific factors predicted poor adherence in women. We found that there were sex differences in influencing factors on CPAP adherence not only in clinical characteristics of OSA, but also in effectiveness and side effects of CPAP use.

A Fully Remote Diagnostic and Treatment Pathway in Patients with Obstructive Sleep Apnoea during the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Single Centre Experience

The COVID-19 pandemic led to significant delays in the diagnostic and management pathway of patients with obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA). During the first wave of COVID-19, our department adopted a fully remote diagnostic (home cardiorespiratory polygraphy) and treatment (autoset continuous positive airway pressure, CPAP) approach. As a novel mode of service delivery, our aim was to evaluate our pathway and analyse factors associated with adherence to CPAP. We analysed the first 300 patients (51 ± 13 years, 48% men) who were set up on remote CPAP between 20 May 2020 and 11 September 2020. The associations between CPAP usage at 90 days and age, gender, body mass index, disease severity, Epworth Sleepiness Scale and comorbidities were investigated with linear and logistic regression analyses. A total of 124 patients (41.3%) were fully-adherent to CPAP therapy, defined as CPAP usage ≥ 4 h on ≥ 70% of the days. Only driving status was associated with adherence to CPAP. Patients who were adherent at 28 days were more likely to stay adherent at 90 days (3.77 odd ratio /3.10-4.45/ 95% confidence interval). We have shown that a fully remote diagnostic and treatment pathway for patients with OSA can be successfully delivered, and our preliminary outcomes of adherence to CPAP are comparable with published data.

Effect of Continuous Positive Airway Pressure on Symptoms and Prevalence of Insomnia in Patients With Obstructive Sleep Apnea: A Longitudinal Study

Objective

Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) and insomnia are the two most common sleep disorders. Continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) is considered first-line treatment for OSA. In the present study, we assess the effect of CPAP on symptoms and prevalence of insomnia in patients with OSA. We hypothesized a decrease in insomnia symptoms from CPAP initiation to follow-up, and that this decrease would depend on CPAP adherence.

Materials and methods

The sample included 442 patients diagnosed with OSA [mean age 54.9 years (SD = 12.1), 74.4% males] who started treatment with CPAP at a university hospital. OSA was diagnosed according to standard respiratory polygraphy. Mean apnea-hypopnea index (AHI) was 30.1 (SD = 21.1) at baseline. Insomnia was assessed prior to CPAP treatment (baseline) and at follow-up after a median of 19.9 weeks (range 6–52 weeks) with the Bergen Insomnia Scale (BIS). CPAP adherence was defined as an average use of ≥ 4 h per night, whereas non-adherence was defined as < 4 h per night.

Results

There was a significant decrease in BIS scores from baseline (mean = 18.8, SD = 9.8) to follow-up (mean = 12.9, SD = 9.9), p < 0.001. Cohen’s d(0.65) indicated a moderate effect size. The reduction in BIS scores was depending on CPAP adherence (interaction effect F(1,440) = 12.4, p < 0.001), with larger reduction in the adherent group than in the non-adherent group. The proportion of patients with chronic insomnia was significantly reduced from 51.1% at baseline to 33.0% at follow-up (p < 0.001).

Conclusion

Overall, there was a significant reduction in insomnia symptoms from baseline to follow-up. The improvement was significant in both adherence groups, but the degree of improvement was larger among patients who were adherent to CPAP. Furthermore, there was a significant reduction in the prevalence of chronic insomnia at follow-up compared to baseline. This suggests that CPAP effectively reduces both the presence of insomnia and the severity of insomnia symptoms in some patients with OSA.

A randomized controlled trial of CBT-I and PAP for obstructive sleep apnea and comorbid insomnia: main outcomes from the MATRICS study

STUDY OBJECTIVES

To investigate treatment models using cognitive behavioral therapy for insomnia (CBT-I) and positive airway pressure (PAP) for people with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) and comorbid insomnia.

METHODS

121 adults with OSA and comorbid insomnia were randomized to receive CBT-I followed by PAP, CBT-I concurrent with PAP, or PAP only. PAP was delivered following standard clinical procedures for in-lab titration and home setup and CBT-I was delivered in four individual sessions. The primary outcome measure was PAP adherence across the first 90 days, with regular PAP use (≥4 h on ≥70% of nights during a 30-day period) serving as the clinical endpoint. The secondary outcome measures were the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) and Insomnia Severity Index (ISI) with good sleeper (PSQI <5), remission (ISI <8), and response (ISI reduction from baseline >7) serving as the clinical endpoints.

RESULTS

No significant differences were found between the concomitant treatment arms and PAP only on PAP adherence measures, including the percentage of participants who met the clinical endpoint. Compared to PAP alone, the concomitant treatment arms reported a significantly greater reduction from baseline on the ISI (p = .0009) and had a greater percentage of participants who were good sleepers (p = .044) and remitters (p = .008). No significant differences were found between the sequential and concurrent treatment models on any outcome measure.

CONCLUSIONS

The findings from this study indicate that combining CBT-I with PAP is superior to PAP alone on insomnia outcomes but does not significantly improve adherence to PAP.

Perception of sleep duration in adult patients with suspected obstructive sleep apnea

PURPOSE

Discrepancies between subjective and objective measures of total sleep time (TST) are frequent among insomnia patients, but this issue remains scarcely investigated in obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). We aimed to evaluate if sleep perception is affected by the severity of OSA.

METHODS

We performed a 3-month cross-sectional study of Brazilian adults undergoing overnight polysomnography (PSG). TST was objectively assessed from PSG and by a self-reported questionnaire (subjective measurement). Sleep perception index (SPI) was defined by the ratio of subjective and objective values. Diagnosis of OSA was based on an apnea/hypopnea index (AHI) ≥ 5.0/h, being its severity classified according to AHI thresholds: 5.0-14.9/h (mild OSA), 15.0-29.9/h (moderate OSA), and ≥ 30.0/h (severe OSA).

RESULTS

Overall, 727 patients were included (58.0% males). A significant difference was found in SPI between non-OSA and OSA groups (p = 0.014). Mean SPI values significantly decreased as the OSA severity increased: without OSA (100.1 ± 40.9%), mild OSA (95.1 ± 24.6%), moderate OSA (93.5 ± 25.2%), and severe OSA (90.6 ± 28.2%), p = 0.036. Using logistic regression, increasing SPI was associated with a reduction in the likelihood of presenting any OSA (p = 0.018), moderate/severe OSA (p = 0.019), and severe OSA (p = 0.028). However, insomnia was not considered as an independent variable for the presence of any OSA, moderate/severe OSA, and severe OSA (all p-values > 0.05).

CONCLUSION

In a clinical referral cohort, SPI significantly decreases with increasing OSA severity, but is not modified by the presence of insomnia symptoms.

Cognitive and behavioral therapy for insomnia increases the use of continuous positive airway pressure therapy in obstructive sleep apnea participants with comorbid insomnia: a randomized clinical trial

STUDY OBJECTIVES

Insomnia and obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) commonly co-occur which makes OSA difficult to treat with continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP). We conducted a randomized controlled trial in participants with OSA and co-occurring insomnia to test the hypothesis that initial treatment with cognitive and behavioral therapy for insomnia (CBT-i), versus treatment as usual (TAU) would improve insomnia symptoms and increase subsequent acceptance and use of CPAP.

METHODS

One hundred and forty-five participants with OSA (apnea-hypopnea index ≥ 15) and comorbid insomnia were randomized to either four sessions of CBT-i, or TAU, before commencing CPAP therapy until 6 months post-randomization. Primary between-group outcomes included objective average CPAP adherence and changes in objective sleep efficiency by 6 months. Secondary between-group outcomes included rates of immediate CPAP acceptance/rejection, and changes in; sleep parameters, insomnia severity, and daytime impairments by 6 months.

RESULTS

Compared to TAU, participants in the CBT-i group had 61 min greater average nightly adherence to CPAP (95% confidence interval [CI] = 9 to 113; p = 0.023, d = 0.38) and higher initial CPAP treatment acceptance (99% vs. 89%; p = 0.034). The CBT-i group showed greater improvement of global insomnia severity, and dysfunctional sleep-related cognitions by 6 months (both: p < 0.001), and greater improvement in sleep impairment measures immediately following CBT-i. There were no between-group differences in sleep outcomes, or daytime impairments by 6 months.

CONCLUSIONS

In OSA participants with comorbid insomnia, CBT-i prior to initiating CPAP treatment improves CPAP use and insomnia symptoms compared to commencing CPAP without CBT-i. OSA patients should be evaluated for co-occurring insomnia and considered for CBT-i before commencing CPAP therapy.

CLINICAL TRIAL

Treating comorbid insomnia with obstructive sleep apnea (COMSIA) study: A new treatment strategy for patients with combined insomnia and sleep apnea, https://www.anzctr.org.au/Trial/Registration/TrialReview.aspx?id=365184 Australian New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry: ACTRN12613001178730. Universal Trial Number: U1111-1149-4230.

Redesigning Care for OSA

Constrained by a limited supply of specialized personnel, health systems face a challenge in caring for the large number of patients with OSA. The complexity of this challenge is heightened by the varied clinical presentations of OSA and the diversity of treatment approaches. Innovations such as simplified home-based care models and the incorporation of nonspecialist providers have shown promise in the management of uncomplicated patients, producing comparable outcomes to the resource-intensive traditional approach. However, it is unclear if these innovations can meet the needs of all patients with OSA, including those with mild disease, atypical presentations, and certain comorbid medical and mental health conditions. This review discusses the diversity of needs in OSA care, the evidence base behind recent care innovations, and the potential limitations of each innovation in meeting the diversity of care needs. We propose how these innovations can fit within the stepped care and hub and spoke models in a way that addresses the full spectrum of OSA, and we discuss future research directions to assess the deployment of these innovations.

Management of insomnia in sleep disordered breathing

Both obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA) and chronic insomnia disorder are highly prevalent in the general population. Whilst both disorders may occur together by mere coincidence, it appears that they share clinical features and that they may aggravate each other as a result of reciprocally adverse pathogenetic mechanisms. Comorbidity between chronic insomnia disorder and OSA is a clinically relevant condition that may confront practitioners with serious diagnostic and therapeutic challenges. Current data, while still scarce, advocate an integrated and multidisciplinary approach that seems superior over the isolated treatment of each sleep disorder alone.

Recognizable clinical subtypes of obstructive sleep apnea across international sleep centers: a cluster analysis

Study Objectives

A recent study of patients with moderate-severe obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) in Iceland identified three clinical clusters based on symptoms and comorbidities. We sought to verify this finding in a new cohort in Iceland and examine the generalizability of OSA clusters in an international ethnically diverse cohort.

Methods

Using data on 972 patients with moderate-severe OSA (apnea-hypopnea index [AHI] ≥ 15 events per hour) recruited from the Sleep Apnea Global Interdisciplinary Consortium (SAGIC), we performed a latent class analysis of 18 self-reported symptom variables, hypertension, cardiovascular disease, and diabetes.

Results

The original OSA clusters of disturbed sleep, minimally symptomatic, and excessively sleepy replicated among 215 SAGIC patients from Iceland. These clusters also generalized to 757 patients from five other countries. The three clusters had similar average AHI values in both Iceland and the international samples, suggesting clusters are not driven by OSA severity; differences in age, gender, and body mass index were also generally small. Within the international sample, the three original clusters were expanded to five optimal clusters: three were similar to those in Iceland (labeled disturbed sleep, minimal symptoms, and upper airway symptoms with sleepiness) and two were new, less symptomatic clusters (labeled upper airway symptoms dominant and sleepiness dominant). The five clusters showed differences in demographics and AHI, although all were middle-aged (44.6-54.5 years), obese (30.6-35.9 kg/m2), and had severe OSA (42.0-51.4 events per hour) on average.

Conclusions

Results confirm and extend previously identified clinical clusters in OSA. These clusters provide an opportunity for a more personalized approach to the management of OSA.

Changing Faces of Obstructive Sleep Apnea: Treatment Effects by Cluster Designation in the Icelandic Sleep Apnea Cohort

Study Objectives

Distinct clinical phenotypes of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) have been identified: Disturbed Sleep, Minimally Symptomatic, and Sleepy. Determining whether these phenotypes respond differently to standard treatment helps us to create a foundation for personalized therapies. We compared responses to positive airway pressure (PAP) therapy in these clinical OSA phenotypes.

Methods

The study sample included 706 patients from the Icelandic Sleep Apnea Cohort with moderate-to-severe OSA who were prescribed PAP. Linear and logistic mixed models were used to compare 2-year changes in demographics, comorbid diseases, and sleep-related health issues within and across OSA clinical phenotypes. Relationships between changes in symptoms and PAP adherence were also examined.

Results

Overall, effect sizes were moderate to large when comparing sleepiness, insomnia-related, and apneic symptom changes in the Sleepy group with changes in other two groups, especially those in the Minimally Symptomatic group. Within the Disturbed Sleep group, PAP users and nonusers demonstrated similar changes in insomnia-related symptoms. The Minimally Symptomatic group remained relatively asymptomatic, but reported significant decreases in daytime sleepiness and physical fatigue; PAP users generally had larger improvements. The Sleepy group had reductions in nearly all measured symptoms, including large reductions in drowsy driving; almost all of these improvements were greater among PAP users than nonusers.

Conclusions

OSA treatment response patterns differed by initial clinical phenotype and PAP adherence. Individuals with insomnia-related symptoms may require additional targeted therapy for these complaints. These findings underscore the need for a personalized approach to management that recognizes patients with a range of OSA presentations.

No Effect of a Self-Help Book for Insomnia in Patients With Obstructive Sleep Apnea and Comorbid Chronic Insomnia - A Randomized Controlled Trial

Objective: To compare the effects of a self-help book for insomnia to that of sleep hygiene advice in a randomized controlled trial with follow-up after about 3 months among patients who were diagnosed with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) and comorbid chronic insomnia, and who were concurrently initiating treatment with continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP). Methods: In all, 164 patients were included. OSA was diagnosed and categorized based on a standard respiratory polygraphic sleep study using a type 3 portable monitor. The self-help book focused on cognitive behavioral therapy for insomnia. The main outcome measure was insomnia severity assessed with the Bergen Insomnia Scale (BIS) and the Insomnia Severity Index (ISI). Results: The scores on the BIS improved significantly from pre-treatment to follow-up in the sleep hygiene advice group (26.8 vs. 21.8) and in the self-help book group (26.3 vs. 22.4). Similarly, the ISI scores were significantly improved in both conditions (sleep hygiene: 17.0 vs. 14.1; self-help book: 16.6 vs. 13.6). No time × condition interaction effects were detected, suggesting that the self-help book did not improve insomnia symptoms more than the sleep hygiene advice. Conclusion: In this randomized controlled trial among patients with OSA and comorbid insomnia who were initiating CPAP treatment, concurrently treating their insomnia with a self-help book did not improve sleep more than sleep hygiene advice. The statistically significant improved sleep at follow-up in both groups is most likely explained by the CPAP treatment.

Current Treatment of Comorbid Insomnia and Obstructive Sleep Apnea With CBTI and PAP-Therapy: A Systematic Review

Insomnia and obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) are often both present in patients with sleep-disordered-breathing (SDB). The coexistence of the two disorders shows an increase in cumulative morbidity and an overall greater illness severity. There is still considerable controversy regarding management decisions in this group of patients. This systematic review focused on more recent evidence regarding treatment of patients presenting with both clinical entities of comorbid insomnia and OSA (COMISA) in terms of their management, especially using combinations of positive airway pressure [PAP, namely aPAP, cPAP, adaptive servo-ventilation (ASV)] and CBTi as well as each one of these two modalities alone. As a conclusion it is necessary to specifically target distinct combinations of both insomnia (initial, middle, late) and OSA (mild, moderate, severe) phenotypes. The present review gives reason to assume that both CBTi and PAP-therapy are necessary. However, it appears that distinct treatment patterns may suit different COMISA phenotypes.

PAP treatment in patients with OSA does not induce long-term nasal obstruction

We hypothesized that positive airway pressure treatment would induce nasal obstruction and decrease nasal cavity due to mucosal swelling. We further hypothesized that subjective and objective nasal obstruction at baseline would negatively affect positive airway pressure adherence. A total of 728 patients with sleep apnea were investigated in the Icelandic Sleep Apnea Cohort at baseline and 2 years after starting positive airway pressure. Patients underwent home sleep apnea testing at baseline. Questionnaires were answered and acoustic rhinometry was completed at baseline and follow‐up. The proportion of patients reporting subjective nocturnal nasal obstruction was reduced (baseline: 35% versus follow‐up: 24%; p < 0.001). Small interior nasal dimensions increased (p < 0.001) independent of adherence to treatment. Small nasal volume at baseline was a determinant for becoming a non‐user of positive airway pressure treatment (odds ratio 2.22, confidence interval 95% 1.35–3.67, p = 0.002). Subjective nasal obstruction decreased 2 years after initiating positive airway treatment in sleep apnea, and objectively small nasal dimensions increased. Small nasal volume at baseline was a negative predictor for positive airway pressure treatment adherence. Maybe most importantly, positive airway pressure treatment did not cause long‐term objective or subjective nasal obstruction.

Sleep Disturbance in Smokers with Preserved Pulmonary Function and with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease

RATIONALE

Sleep disturbance frequently affects patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and is associated with reduced quality of life and poorer outcomes. Data indicate that smokers with preserved pulmonary function have clinical symptoms similar to those meeting spirometric criteria for COPD, but little is known about the driving factors for sleep disturbance in this population of emerging interest.

OBJECTIVES

To compare the magnitude and correlates of sleep disturbance between smokers with preserved pulmonary function and those with airflow obstruction.

METHODS

Using cross-sectional data from the COPD Outcomes-Based Network for Clinical Effectiveness and Research Translation multicenter registry, we identified participants clinically identified as having COPD with a smoking history of at least 20 pack-years and either preserved pulmonary function or airflow obstruction. We quantified sleep disturbance by T-score measured in the sleep disturbance domain of the Patient-Reported Outcomes Information System questionnaire, and defined a minimum important difference as a T-score difference of two points. We performed univariate and multivariable linear regression to evaluate correlates within each group.

RESULTS

We identified 100 smokers with preserved pulmonary function and 476 with airflow obstruction. The sleep disturbance T-score was 4.1 points greater among individuals with preserved pulmonary function (95% confidence interval [CI], 2.0-6.3). In adjusted analyses, depression symptom T-score was associated with sleep disturbance in both groups (airflow obstruction: β, 0.61 points; 95% CI, 0.27-0.94; preserved pulmonary function: β, 0.25 points; 95% CI, 0.12-0.38). Of note, lower percent predicted FEV₁ was associated with greater sleep disturbance among those with preserved pulmonary function (β, -0.19 points; 95% CI, -0.31 to -0.07), whereas higher FEV₁ was associated with greater sleep disturbance among individuals with airflow obstruction (β, 0.06 points; 95% CI, 0.01-0.10).

CONCLUSIONS

Among smokers with clinically identified COPD, the severity of sleep disturbance is greater among those with preserved pulmonary function compared with those with airflow obstruction. Nonrespiratory symptoms, such as depression, were associated with sleep disturbance in both groups, whereas the relationship of sleep disturbance with FEV₁ differed.

Factors influencing adherence to continuous positive airway pressure treatment in obstructive sleep apnea and mortality associated with treatment failure - a national registry-based cohort study

OBJECTIVES

Adherence to continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) in patients with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is crucial. Our aim was to identify protective and risk factors against the discontinuation of CPAP treatment in patients with OSA and to estimate the mortality risk in those who were non-adherent to CPAP therapy.

METHODS

This was a registry-based cohort study from 37 centers across Sweden with OSA patients on CPAP in the Swedevox Swedish national registry between July 2010 and March 2017.

RESULTS

In 16,425 patients (70.8% men) with complete follow-up data after 1.2 ± 0.8 years the adjusted relative risk ratio (aRRR) for the discontinuation of CPAP was 0.57 (95% confidence interval (CI) 0.50-0.65) for use of humidifier, 0.87 (95% CI 0.82-0.92) for increasing age per 10 years, 0.80 (95% CI 0.77-0.83) for increasing apnea hypopnea index (AHI) per 5 units/hour, and 0.96 (95% CI 0.95-0.97) per increased unit on the Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS). Increasing BMI was associated with increased adherence up to BMI 35. Women and patients with hypertension ran an increased risk of discontinuing CPAP treatment, aRRR 1.28 (95% CI 1.12-1.46) and 1.24 (95% CI 1.12-1.42) respectively. The adjusted hazard ratio (HR) for mortality was 1.74 (95% CI 1.32-2.28) among those who did not adhere to CPAP (median follow-up period 2.4 years after the one year adherence evaluation).

CONCLUSION

Use of humidifier is associated with greater adherence to CPAP treatment. Other factors predicting adherence are increasing age, more severe OSA and overweight up to BMI 35, whereas female gender and coexisting hypertension are risk factors for discontinuation of CPAP. Failure to adhere to CPAP is associated with increased mortality.

Prevalence, Associated Clinical Features, and Impact on Continuous Positive Airway Pressure Use of a Low Respiratory Arousal Threshold Among Male United States Veterans With Obstructive Sleep Apnea

STUDY OBJECTIVES

Determine the prevalence of, and clinical features associated with, a low respiratory arousal threshold (ArTH) among patients with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), and to assess whether a low ArTH is associated with reduced long-term CPAP use.

METHODS

Cross-sectional and longitudinal analyses were performed in an observational study conducted among 940 male Veterans with OSA. Data for clinical characteristics, polysomnography characteristics, and long-term (5 ± 2 years) CPAP use were obtained from clinical records. Logistic regression was used to assess the associations between low ArTH and clinical features, including regular CPAP use.

RESULTS

A low ArTH was observed in 38% of participants overall, and was more common among nonobese (body mass index < 30 kg/m²) patients (55%). In adjusted analyses, increasing body mass index (per 5 kg/m²) and antihypertensive medication use were negatively associated with low ArTH, with odds ratio (OR) (95% confidence interval [CI]) of 0.77 (0.69, 0.87) and 0.69 (0.49, 0.98), respectively. Conversely, increasing age (per 10 years) and antidepressant use-OR (95% CI) 1.15 (1.01,1.31) and 1.54 (1.14,1.98), respectively-were positively associated with low ArTH. Nonobese patients with low ArTH were less likely to be regular CPAP users-OR (95% CI) 0.38 (0.20, 0.72)-in an adjusted model.

CONCLUSIONS

Low ArTH is a common trait among Veterans with OSA and is more frequent among those who are older and nonobese and those taking antidepressants, but is less frequent among patients taking antihypertensive medications. A marked reduction of long-term CPAP use in nonobese patients with low ArTH highlights the importance of understanding a patient's physiologic phenotype for OSA management, and suggests potential targets to improve CPAP adherence.

COMMENTARY

A commentary on this article appears in this issue on page 713.

Mortality and use of psychotropic medication in sleep apnoea patients: a population-wide register-based study

BACKGROUND

This study aimed to evaluate all-cause mortality in relation to the use of benzodiazepines, antidepressants and antipsychotics in obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA) patients and matched controls.

METHODS

Patients with a diagnosis of OSA and no pre-index use of psychotropic medication (n = 38,735) were compared with control subjects (n = 75,941) matched by age, gender, marital status and community location. National register data were used to obtain information on diagnoses (the Danish National Patient Registry), mortality (the Central Person Register) and psychotropic medication use (the Danish Register on Medicinal Product Statistics).

RESULTS

All-cause mortality was higher in patients with OSA than in control subjects. Mortality hazard ratios were higher for OSA patients and controls who were prescribed serotonergic antidepressant drugs (HR = 1.808, SD = 0.015, p = 0.001 in OSA patients; HR = 2.607, SD = 0.158, p < 0.001 in controls), tricyclic antidepressants (HR = 1.846, SD = 0.166, p < 0.001; HR = 2.087, SD = 0.172, p < 0.001), benzodiazepines (HR = 2.590, SD = 0.040, p < 0.001); (HR = 3.705, SD = 0.085, p < 0.001), benzodiazepine-like drugs (HR = 1.980, SD = 0.087, p < 0.001; HR = 2.227, SD = 0.083, p < 0.001), first-generation antipsychotics (HR = 2.894, SD = 0.268, p < 0.001; HR = 1.210, SD = 0.509, NS), and second-generation antipsychotics (HR = 2.069, SD = 0.182, p < 0.001; HR = 1.355, SD = 0.171, NS), compared with those who did not receive the drugs. Interaction analysis suggested that similar or slightly lower mortality was associated with selective serotonin re-uptake inhibitors, benzodiazepines and second-generation antipsychotics in OSA compared with controls when comorbidities were taken into consideration.

CONCLUSION

All-cause mortality was higher in OSA patients and especially controls treated with benzodiazepines, antidepressants or antipsychotics than in untreated controls. The findings were not controlled for psychiatric comorbidity and the results may have partly been attributable to confounding by indication. The results raised the possibility that the use of psychotropic medication may have deleterious health consequences, but the risk did not seem to be higher in OSA than in controls.

Personalised medicine in sleep respiratory disorders: focus on obstructive sleep apnoea diagnosis and treatment

In all fields of medicine, major efforts are currently dedicated to improve the clinical, physiological and therapeutic understanding of disease, and obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA) is no exception. The personalised medicine approach is relevant for OSA, given its complex pathophysiology and variable clinical presentation, the interactions with comorbid conditions and its possible contribution to poor outcomes. Treatment with continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) is effective, but CPAP is poorly tolerated or not accepted in a considerable proportion of OSA patients. This review summarises the available studies on the physiological phenotypes of upper airway response to obstruction during sleep, and the clinical presentations of OSA (phenotypes and clusters) with a special focus on our changing attitudes towards approaches to treatment. Such major efforts are likely to change and expand treatment options for OSA beyond the most common current choices (i.e CPAP, mandibular advancement devices, positional treatment, lifestyle changes or upper airway surgery). More importantly, treatment for OSA may become more effective, being tailored to each patient's need.