The first night effect in multiple sclerosis patients undergoing home-based polysomnography

Erenumab Impact on Sleep Assessed With Questionnaires and Home-Polysomnography in Patients With Migraine: The ERESON Study

Introduction

Migraine and sleep share a complex and unclear relationship. Poor sleep may trigger migraine attacks; migraine, in turn, is frequently associated with sleep disorders. Few previous studies used questionnaires to assess sleep changes in patients who were treated with migraine-preventive medications (MPMs). More extensive polysomnography (PSG)-based studies for this purpose were not available.

Objective

To investigate possible sleep changes in patients with migraine treated with erenumab, using validated sleep questionnaires and home-PSG.

Methods

This observational, prospective, open-label pilot study was conducted at the Clinical Neurology Unit Headache Center of Udine University Hospital from 2020 to 2021. Patients were treated with erenumab as monotherapy or add-on treatment for migraine prevention. Sleep changes were evaluated with questionnaires and polysomnographic recordings at baseline, after 3 and 12 months of treatment. Erenumab efficacy and safety in migraine prophylaxis were also investigated.

Results

Twenty-nine patients completed 3 months of follow-up, whereas 15 patients completed 12 months. We found a weak trend of improvement in daytime somnolence after 3 months of treatment, with stronger results after 12 months (median Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS) score from 6.0 to 4.0, p = 0.015); a significant improvement in subjective sleep quality (median Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) total score from 7 to 5; p = 0.001) was also observed. Home-PSG showed a significant increase in objective sleep efficiency (SE), both after 3 (from 88.1 to 91.0, p = 0.006) and 12 months (from 87.1 to 91.0, p = 0.006) of treatment. In addition, our data confirmed erenumab effectiveness and safety in migraine prevention.

Conclusion

Our study demonstrated an improvement in both subjective and objective sleep quality in patients treated with a migraine-preventive therapy. Erenumab, in particular, does not cross the blood-brain barrier (BBB), thus a direct effect on sleep is unlikely. Future studies are needed to better understand the mutual influence between migraine and sleep disorders.

Measurement Methods of Fatigue, Sleepiness, and Sleep Behaviour Aboard Ships: A Systematic Review

Since seafarers are known to be exposed to numerous job-related stress factors that can cause fatigue, sleepiness, and disturbed sleep behaviour, the aim of this review was to provide an overview of the subjective and objective measurement methods of these strains. Using a systematic review, 166 studies were identified within the period of January 2010 to December 2020 using the PubMed database. Of the 21 studies selected, 13 used both subjective and objective measurement methods. Six studies used only subjective and two studies only objective methods. For subjective assessment, 12 different questionnaires could be identified as well as activity and sleeping logs. Actigraphy and reaction time tests (RTT) were the most common objective methods. In single cases, electrooculography (EOG), pupillometry and ambulatory polysomnography (PSG) were used. Measurement-related limitations due to vessel-related impacts were less often reported than expected. No restrictions of daily routines on board were described, and only single-measurement disturbances due to ship movements were mentioned. The present literature review reveals that there are various routines to measure fatigue, sleepiness, and sleep behaviour on board. A combination of subjective and objective methods often appears to be beneficial. The frequent use of actigraphy and RTT on board suggests good feasibility and reliable measurements with these methods. The use of ambulatory PSG in maritime-like contexts suggests that this method would also be feasible on board.

The (mis)perception of sleep: factors influencing the discrepancy between self-reported and objective sleep parameters

STUDY OBJECTIVES

Self-reported perception of sleep often differs from objective sleep study measures, but factors predicting the discrepancy between self-reported and objective sleep parameters are controversial, and a comparison of laboratory vs ambulatory polysomnography (PSG) is lacking.

METHODS

We retrospectively analyzed PSGs conducted between 2012 and 2016. Linear regression was applied to predict the discrepancy between self-reported and objective sleep parameters (total sleep time, sleep efficiency, sleep latency, using age, sex, arousal index, type of sleep disorder, and PSG type [laboratory vs ambulatory] as regressors).

RESULTS

A total of 303 PSGs were analyzed (49% women, median age 48 years), comprising patients with insomnia (32%), sleep-related breathing disorders (27%), sleep-related movement disorders (15%), hypersomnia/narcolepsy (14%), and parasomnias (12%). Sleep disorder was the best predictor of discrepancy between self-reported and objective total sleep time, and patients with insomnia showed higher discrepancy values compared to all other patient groups (P < .001), independent of age and PSG type (P > .05). Contributory effects for higher discrepancy values were found for lower arousal index. Patients with insomnia underestimated both total sleep time (median discrepancy: 46 minutes, P < .001) and sleep efficiency (median discrepancy: 11%, P < .001). No significant predictor for discrepancy of sleep latency was found.

CONCLUSIONS

Misperception of sleep duration and efficiency is common in sleep lab patients, but most prominent in insomnia, independent of age, sex, or laboratory vs ambulatory recording setting. This underlines the role of PSG in patients with a clinical diagnosis of insomnia and its use in cognitive behavioral therapy.

Framing multiple sclerosis under a polysomnographic perspective

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a mainly demyelinating, autoimmune, and disabling neurological disease. In addition to well-known clinically evident symptoms such as coordination or motor problems, increasing attention has been posed to a constellation of less evident symptoms significantly contributing to the clinical impact of MS. Among others, sleep symptoms have been only recently explored. This systematic review summarizes objective sleep findings detected by using polysomnography and their relationship with clinical variables in MS patients. While it is well known that sleep disorders are frequent in MS, objective clinical data are still scarce. Literature based on subjective reports indicate sleep disorders as highly frequent in MS patients; however, objective data are still scarce. New large case-control instrumental investigations are warranted to establish the real objective entity and impact of sleep comorbidities.

Better Objective Sleep Was Associated with Better Subjective Sleep and Physical Activity; Results from an Exploratory Study under Naturalistic Conditions among Persons with Multiple Sclerosis

Persons with multiple sclerosis (PwMS) often complain about sleep problems. There is less known about objective sleep-electroencephalography (EEG) dimensions within naturalistic conditions (i.e., home and/or familiar setting). The present cross-sectional study examined the associations between objective and subjective sleep, depression, physical activity scores, and MS-related information among PwMS in their familiar setting. The sample consisted of 16 PwMS (mean age: 50.3 years; median Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS): 5.5) who completed questionnaires covering subjective sleep (symptoms of insomnia, restless legs syndrome (RLS) and sleep-disordered breathing), as well as daytime sleepiness, subjective physical activity, depression, and MS-related information (fatigue, EDSS; disease-modifying treatments). Objective sleep was assessed with a mobile sleep-EEG device under naturalist conditions within the home. Descriptively, better objective sleep patterns were associated with lower sleep complaints (r_s = −0.51) and daytime sleepiness (r_s = −0.43), and with lower symptoms of RLS (r_s = −0.35), but not with sleep-disordered breathing (r_s = −0.17). More deep sleep was associated with higher moderate physical activity levels (r_s = 0.56). Objective sleep parameters were not associated with vigorous physical activity levels (r_s < 0.25). Descriptively, moderate and vigorous physical activity scores were associated with lower symptoms of RLS (r_s = −0.43 to −0.47). Results from this small study carried out under naturalistic conditions suggest that among PwMS, better objective sleep correlated with better subjective sleep and higher moderate physical activity levels.

Variability and Misclassification of Sleep Apnea Severity Based on Multi-Night Testing

BACKGROUND

Portable monitoring is a convenient means for diagnosing sleep apnea. However, data on whether one night of monitoring is sufficiently precise for the diagnosis of sleep apnea are limited.

RESEARCH QUESTION

The current study sought to determine the variability and misclassification in disease severity over three consecutive nights in a large sample of patients referred for sleep apnea.

METHODS

A sample of 10,340 adults referred for sleep apnea testing was assessed. A self-applied type III monitor was used for three consecutive nights. The apnea-hypopnea index (AHI) was determined for each night, and a reference AHI was computed by using data from all 3 nights. Pairwise correlations and the proportion misclassified regarding disease severity were computed for each of the three AHI values against the reference AHI.

RESULTS

Strong correlations were observed between the AHI from each of the 3 nights (r = 0.87-0.89). However, substantial within-patient variability in the AHI and significant misclassification in sleep apnea severity were observed based on any 1 night of monitoring. Approximately 93% of the patients with a normal study on the first night and 87% of those with severe sleep apnea on the first night were correctly classified compared with the reference derived from all three nights. However, approximately 20% of the patients with mild and moderate sleep apnea on the first night were misdiagnosed either as not having sleep apnea or as having mild disease, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

In patients with mild to moderate sleep apnea, one night of portable testing can lead to misclassification of disease severity given the substantial night-to-night variability in the AHI.

Assessment of Mandibular Movement Monitoring With Machine Learning Analysis for the Diagnosis of Obstructive Sleep Apnea

IMPORTANCE

Given the high prevalence of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), there is a need for simpler and automated diagnostic approaches.

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate whether mandibular movement (MM) monitoring during sleep coupled with an automated analysis by machine learning is appropriate for OSA diagnosis.

DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS

Diagnostic study of adults undergoing overnight in-laboratory polysomnography (PSG) as the reference method compared with simultaneous MM monitoring at a sleep clinic in an academic institution (Sleep Laboratory, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire Université Catholique de Louvain Namur Site Sainte-Elisabeth, Namur, Belgium). Patients with suspected OSA were enrolled from July 5, 2017, to October 31, 2018.

MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES

Obstructive sleep apnea diagnosis required either evoking signs or symptoms or related medical or psychiatric comorbidities coupled with a PSG-derived respiratory disturbance index (PSG-RDI) of at least 5 events/h. A PSG-RDI of at least 15 events/h satisfied the diagnosis criteria even in the absence of associated symptoms or comorbidities. Patients who did not meet these criteria were classified as not having OSA. Agreement analysis and diagnostic performance were assessed by Bland-Altman plot comparing PSG-RDI and the Sunrise system RDI (Sr-RDI) with diagnosis threshold optimization via receiver operating characteristic curves, allowing for evaluation of the device sensitivity and specificity in detecting OSA at 5 events/h and 15 events/h.

RESULTS

Among 376 consecutive adults with suspected OSA, the mean (SD) age was 49.7 (13.2) years, the mean (SD) body mass index was 31.0 (7.1), and 207 (55.1%) were men. Reliable agreement was found between PSG-RDI and Sr-RDI in patients without OSA (n = 46; mean difference, 1.31; 95% CI, -1.05 to 3.66 events/h) and in patients with OSA with a PSG-RDI of at least 5 events/h with symptoms (n = 107; mean difference, -0.69; 95% CI, -3.77 to 2.38 events/h). An Sr-RDI underestimation of -11.74 (95% CI, -20.83 to -2.67) events/h in patients with OSA with a PSG-RDI of at least 15 events/h was detected and corrected by optimization of the Sunrise system diagnostic threshold. The Sr-RDI showed diagnostic capability, with areas under the receiver operating characteristic curve of 0.95 (95% CI, 0.92-0.96) and 0.93 (95% CI, 0.90-0.93) for corresponding PSG-RDIs of 5 events/h and 15 events/h, respectively. At the 2 optimal cutoffs of 7.63 events/h and 12.65 events/h, Sr-RDI had accuracy of 0.92 (95% CI, 0.90-0.94) and 0.88 (95% CI, 0.86-0.90) as well as posttest probabilities of 0.99 (95% CI, 0.99-0.99) and 0.89 (95% CI, 0.88-0.91) at PSG-RDIs of at least 5 events/h and at least 15 events/h, respectively, corresponding to positive likelihood ratios of 14.86 (95% CI, 9.86-30.12) and 5.63 (95% CI, 4.92-7.27), respectively.

CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE

Automatic analysis of MM patterns provided reliable performance in RDI calculation. The use of this index in OSA diagnosis appears to be promising.