Feasibility and performance of home sleep apnea testing in youth with Down syndrome

STUDY OBJECTIVES

In-laboratory polysomnography is recommended for the evaluation of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) in youth with Down syndrome. However, insufficient sleep laboratories are available, particularly for youth with neurocognitive disabilities such as Down syndrome. We hypothesized that level II home sleep apnea testing (HSAT) would be feasible, acceptable, and accurate in detecting polysomnography-defined moderate-severe OSA in youth with Down syndrome.

METHODS

Youth 6 to 25 years old with Down syndrome were recruited to undergo in-home level II HSAT with electroencephalogram and in-lab polysomnography. Parents completed questionnaires assessing feasibility, acceptability, and test preference. HSAT, scored blinded to polysomnography result, were compared to reference polysomnography.

RESULTS

Forty-three youth (23 female) aged [median (range)] 15.5 (6.1, 25.1) years participated in the study. Forty-one participants were able to complete HSAT and 41 completed polysomnography, with 40 who underwent both tests. HSAT was preferred to polysomnography by 73.7% of parents. Total sleep time for HSAT was 437 ± 123 minutes vs 366 ± 90 minutes for polysomnography (P = .003). Obstructive apnea-hypopnea index by polysomnography was 12.7 events/h (0.2, 113.8), and 32 youth (80%) who completed all testing had OSA. Compared to polysomnography, sensitivity of HSAT was: 0.81, specificity was 0.75, accuracy was 0.8 including 2 youth whose HSAT demonstrated OSA when polysomnography did not.

CONCLUSIONS

In youth with Down syndrome, level II HSAT was well-tolerated, preferred compared to in-lab polysomnography, and had good accuracy for detecting moderate-severe OSA. Level II HSAT could provide a means for expanding the evaluation of OSA in youth with Down syndrome.

CITATION

Cielo CM, Kelly A, Xanthopoulos M, et al. Feasibility and performance of home sleep apnea testing in youth with Down syndrome J Clin Sleep Med. 2023;19(9):1605-1613.

0522 Level II Home Sleep Apnea Testing Compared to In-Lab Polysomnography for the Evaluation of Obstructive Sleep Apnea in Youth with Down Syndrome

Introduction

In-laboratory polysomnography (PSG) is recommended for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) diagnosis in children. However, cost, insufficient facilities, and disruption to families challenge PSG completion, particularly for youth with disabilities such as Down syndrome (DS) in whom OSA is common. By providing sleep architecture and arousal-associated hypopnea data, level II home sleep apnea testing (HSAT) with EEG has the potential to be accessible and accurate. We hypothesized that compared to PSG, HSAT would be accurate in detecting moderate-severe OSA in youth with DS and preferred by families.

Methods

Prospective comparative effectiveness study. Youth <18 years old with DS underwent in-laboratory PSG and level II HSAT at home. Parents completed questionnaires assessing feasibility, acceptability, and test preference. HSAT, scored using AASM criteria blinded to PSG result, were compared to reference PSG. OSA was defined as obstructive apnea hypopnea index (OAHI) greater than 5 events per hour on either test.

Results

Thirty-five (17 female) youth aged [median (IQR)] 10.0 (6.1, 16.9) years completed testing. Total sleep time for HSAT was 7.9 (6.9, 8.9) hours versus 6.8 (5.9, 7.0) hours for PSG (p=0.002). PSG OAHI was 12.7/hr (5.3, 21.5). Twenty-six (74.3%) participants had OSA by PSG, 20 of whom were correctly identified by HSAT; one participant with OSA diagnosed by HSAT (OAHI=6.2/hr) was not identified by PSG (OAHI=3.9/hr). Accuracy of HSAT for identifying OSA was 80.0%, sensitivity 76.9%, and specificity 88.9% compared to PSG. Signal quality was good except for pulse oximetry, with median (IQR) adequate signal for 79.5% (57.5%, 86.3%) of the study. Compared to PSG, 83.3% of parents reported that youth had a more normal night’s sleep with HSAT, 70.0% of parents found HSAT easier, and 90.0% of youth preferred HSAT.

Conclusion

In youth with DS, HSAT has good accuracy for detecting moderate-severe OSA. Limitations may include night-to-night variability, differences in environment, or loss of oximetry signal. Youth slept more during HSAT than in-lab PSG and the majority of families preferred level II HSAT. Level II HSAT could provide a means for expanding the evaluation of OSA in youth with DS.

Support (If Any)

NIH R21HD101003 (Tapia/Kelly)

0357 Interdisciplinary Training in Pediatric Sleep

Introduction

Sleep is a critical domain of child functioning. However, clinical psychology programs lack formal sleep education while behavioral sleep instruction is deficient in sleep and pulmonary fellowships. Cross-disciplinary training in pediatric sleep is ideal. This study examined medical and psychology trainee satisfaction with two interdisciplinary experiences: a 1-2 semester clinical rotation for medical fellows and psychology doctoral students and a concentrated annual elective for medical students. The rotation includes 1-2 half-day clinics per week wherein medical sleep fellows and behavioral sleep medicine trainees conduct a sleep interview together and ask specific questions within their discipline. With an attending psychologist and physician, they discuss case conceptualization, differential diagnoses, and possible interventions. The team reviews pertinent findings and collaboratively provides recommendations to the patient. Trainees also participate in weekly didactics presented by psychologists and physicians.The second interdisciplinary training experience, Frontiers, is designed to impact physician learners earlier in their careers. Sleep physicians and psychologists teach an annual week-long sleep elective for medical students.

Methods

Evaluations from fellows, psychology trainees, and medical students from the most recent 3 years were analyzed to determine trainee satisfaction with the interdisciplinary rotation and the medical student course.

Results

Results of sleep fellow evaluations rated the program as having effective teachers`X=4.67 (0.62) and high educational value `X=4.6 (0.83) on a 5-point Likert scale with 5 being the highest. Similarly, psychology trainees rated the overall rotation experience over the past 3 years on a 4-point Likert scale with 4 being the highest as`X=3.74 (0.43).Medical students who took the Frontiers course also rated the training highly on a 4-point Likert scale with 4 being the highest:`X=3.79 (0.43) in 2021,`X=3.76 (0.75) in 2019, and,`X= 3.73 (0.47) in 2018. The course was not offered in 2020 due to the pandemic.

Conclusion

Comprehensive pediatric sleep education and training (both clinical and didactic) is feasible within a single interdisciplinary rotation provided simultaneously to both psychology and medical trainees with high trainee satisfaction. Sleep-related in vivo training and didactics are relevant to physician and psychology training programs and prepare trainees for future work in interdisciplinary care.

Support (If Any)

 

0888 A Peer-Based Social Media Intervention to Promote Continuous Positive Airway Pressure Adherence in Adolescents With Obstructive Sleep Apnea

Introduction

Continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) adherence in adolescents with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is suboptimal. This study evaluated an innovative CPAP adherence intervention for adolescents and their caregivers delivered via private Facebook groups. Study aims: (1) determine feasibility and acceptability of the intervention and (2) assess CPAP use pre- and post-intervention.

Methods

A pilot cohort study design was employed (N=6 dyads). Intervention included psychoeducation, CPAP use downloads/feedback, promoting peer-engagement through posts, videos, and polls. Adolescent and caregiver groups ran separately and simultaneously over 4-weeks. Measures: demographics, engagement/participation data, CPAP use, semi-structured interviews. Analysis: descriptive statistics and thematic content analysis.

Results

Adolescents were Black/African American (100%), males (100%) with a median age of 16 years (range 13-17). Caregivers (n=6) were mothers (67%) and fathers (33%) with a median age of 47 years (range 38-55). Caregivers were more engaged with the intervention than adolescents, viewing content 65%, 75%, 85%, 90%, and 100% (n=2) of days versus adolescents who viewed content 0%, 20% (n=2), 40%, 75% and 100%. Semi-structured interviews revealed the intervention was perceived positively; learning/expanded knowledge, gaining a sense of community, and enjoyment in the opportunity to help others were commonly identified. Interview feedback revealed utilizing a different social media platform may be more beneficial for adolescent engagement. Participants noted the intervention promoted conversations between the adolescent and caregiver, and 4/6 teens cited increased motivation to use CPAP. Average CPAP use increased in 50% of participants (n=3); 33% (n=2) sustained their use, and one decreased use.

Conclusion

Participants consistently noted appreciation for knowledge gained and sense of community derived from the intervention. This study supports the potential utilization of social media platforms to not only provide reliable OSA/CPAP education but to also promote peer-engagement. Given the acceptability and increased CPAP use in this small sample, a larger trial is indicated.

Support

Lead author receives support from NIH/NHLBI Award T32 HL07953. Videos included in intervention supported by The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia Metabolism, Nutrition and Development Research Affinity Group Pilot and Feasibility Grant.

Depressive symptomatology in school-aged children with obstructive sleep apnea syndrome: incidence, demographic factors, and changes following a randomized controlled trial of adenotonsillectomy

Study Objectives

Depressive symptoms following adenotonsillectomy (AT) relative to controls were examined in children with obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS).

Methods

The Childhood Adenotonsillectomy Trial (CHAT) multisite study examined the impact of AT in 453 children aged 5 to 9.9 years with polysomnographic evidence of OSAS without prolonged desaturation, randomized to early adenotonsillectomy (eAT) or watchful waiting with supportive care (WWSC). One hundred seventy-six children (eAT n = 83; WWSC n = 93) with complete evaluations for depressive symptomatology between baseline and after a 7-month intervention period were included in this secondary analysis.

Results

Exact binomial test assessed proportion of depressive symptomatology relative to norms, while effects of AT and OSAS resolution were assessed through linear quantile mixed-models. Treatment group assignment did not significantly impact depression symptoms, although self-reported depression symptoms improved over time (p < 0.001). Resolution of OSAS symptoms demonstrated a small interaction effect in an unexpected direction, with more improvement in parent ratings of anxious/depressed symptoms for children without resolution (p = 0.030). Black children reported more severe depressive symptoms (p = 0.026) and parents of overweight/obese children reported more withdrawn/depressed symptoms (p = 0.004). Desaturation nadir during sleep was associated with self-report depressed (r = -0.17, p = 0.028), parent-reported anxious/depressed (r = -0.15, p = 0.049), and withdrawn/depressed (r = -0.24, p = 0.002) symptoms.

Conclusions

Increased risk for depressed and withdrawn/depressed symptoms was detected among children with OSAS, and different demographic variables contributed to risk in self-reported and parent-reported depression symptoms. Arterial oxygen desaturation nadir during sleep was strongly associated with depressed symptoms. However, despite improvements in child-reported depressed symptoms over time, changes were unrelated to either treatment group or OSAS resolution status.

Trials Registration

Childhood Adenotonsillectomy Study for Children with OSAS (CHAT), https://clinicaltrials.gov/show/NCT00560859, NCT00560859.

Relationships of Body Composition to Cardiac Structure and Function in Adolescents With Down Syndrome are Different than in Adolescents Without Down Syndrome

Median survival in Down syndrome (DS) is 60 years, but cardiovascular disease risk and its markers such as left ventricular mass (LVM) have received limited attention. In youth, LVM is typically scaled to height^2.7 as a surrogate for lean body mass (LBM), the strongest predictor of LVM, but whether this algorithm applies to DS, a condition which features short stature, is unknown. To examine the relationships of LVM and function with height, LBM, and moderate-to-vigorous physical activity(MVPA) in DS, DS youth aged 10-20 years, and age-, sex-, BMI-, race-matched nonDS controls underwent echocardiography for LVM, ejection fraction (EF), and left ventricular diastolic function (measured as E/E'); dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA)-measured LBM; accelerometry for MVPA. (DS vs. nonDS median [min-max]): DS had lower height (cm) (144.5 [116.7-170.3] vs. 163.3 [134.8-186.7]; p < 0.0001); LBM (kg) (33.48 [14.5-62.3] vs 41.8 [18.07-72.46], p < 0.0001); and LVM (g) (68.3 [32.1-135] vs 94.0 [43.9-164.6], p < 0.0001); similar EF (%) (65 [54-77] vs 64 [53-77], p = 0.59); and higher E/E' (8.41 [5.54-21.4] vs 5.81 [3.44-9.56], p < 0.0001). In height^2.7-adjusted models, LVM was lower in DS (β = - 7.7, p = 0.02). With adjustment for LBM, LVM was even lower in DS (β = - 15.1, p < 0.0001), a finding not explained by MVPA. E/E' remained higher in DS after adjustment for age, height, HR, SBP, and BMI (β = 2.6, p < 0.0001). DS was associated with stiffer left ventricles and lower LVM, the latter magnified with LBM adjustment. Scaling to height^2.7, the traditional approach for assessing LVM in youth, may underestimate LVM differences in DS. Whether lower LVM and diastolic function are intrinsic to DS, pathologic, or protective remains unknown.Clinical Trial Registration: NCT01821300.

Obesity and common respiratory diseases in children

Obesity has become an important public health problem worldwide that disproportionally affects the underserved. Obesity has been associated with many diseases and unfortunately has not spared the respiratory system. Specifically, the prevalence of common respiratory problems, such as asthma and obstructive sleep apnoea, is higher in obese children. Further, the treatment outcomes of these frequent conditions is also worse in obese children compared to lean controls.

Investigating reasons for CPAP adherence in adolescents: a qualitative approach

STUDY OBJECTIVES

Adolescents with obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS) represent an important but understudied subgroup of long-term continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) users. The purpose of this qualitative study was to identify factors related to adherence from the perspective of adolescents and their caregivers.

METHODS

Individual open-ended, semi-structured interviews were conducted with adolescents (n = 21) and caregivers (n = 20). Objective adherence data from the adolescents' CPAP machines during the previous month was obtained. Adolescents with different adherence levels and their caregivers were asked their views on CPAP. Using a modified grounded theory approach, we identified themes and developed theories that explained the adolescents' adherence patterns.

RESULTS

Adolescent participants (n = 21) were aged 12-18 years, predominantly male (n = 15), African American (n = 16), users of CPAP for at least one month. Caregivers were mainly mothers (n = 17). Seven adolescents had high use (mean use 381 ± 80 min per night), 7 had low use (mean use 30 ± 24 min per night), and 7 had no use during the month prior to being interviewed. Degree of structure in the home, social reactions, mode of communication among family members, and perception of benefits were issues that played a role in CPAP adherence.

CONCLUSIONS

Understanding the adolescent and family experience of using CPAP may be key to increasing adolescent CPAP adherence. As a result of our findings, we speculate that health education, peer support groups, and developmentally appropriate individualized support strategies may be important in promoting adherence. Future studies should examine these theories of CPAP adherence.

The association between gastroesophageal reflux disease and obesity

Nearly all epidemiologic studies have found an association between increasing body mass index (BMI) and symptoms of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). Changes in gastroesophageal anatomy and physiology caused by obesity may explain the association. These include an increased prevalence of esophageal motor disorders, diminished lower esophageal sphincter (LES) pressure, the development of a hiatal hernia, and increased intragastric pressure. Central adiposity may be the most important risk for the development of reflux and related complications such as Barrett's esophagus and esophageal adenocarcinoma. Weight loss, through caloric restriction and behavioral modification, has been studied infrequently as a means of improving reflux. Bariatric surgery and its effects on a number of obesity-related disorders have been studied more extensively. Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB) has been consistently associated with improvement in the symptoms and findings of GERD. The mechanism of action through which this surgery is successful at improving GERD may be independent of weight loss and needs further examination. Current evidence suggests that laparoscopic adjusted gastric banding should be avoided in these patients as the impact on gastroesophageal reflux disease appears unfavorable.

Psychosocial treatments for children with attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder

This article reviews studies examining the efficacy of behavioral interventions for the treatment of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). A specific emphasis is placed on evidence-based interventions that include parent training, classroom, academic, and peer interventions. Results indicate that school-aged children respond to behavioral interventions when they are appropriately implemented both at home and in the classroom setting. Combined treatments (behavioral management and stimulant medication) represent the gold standard in ADHD treatment and are often recommended as the first-line treatment option due to the many problems faced by children with ADHD. Diversity issues, although an important consideration in the treatment of ADHD, continue to remain an understudied area. Recommendations for future research are made pertaining to treatment sequencing with regard to behavior management as well as for subgroups of ADHD children who may respond best to specific treatments.