Rapid Eye Movement Obstructive Sleep Apnea Research Articles

Cardiovascular diseases across OSA phenotypes: A retrospective cohort study

BackgroundDespite the considerable knowledge of Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA) implications for cardiac diseases, the evidence regarding cardiovascular complications across OSA phenotypes including Rapid Eye Movement OSA (REM-OSA) and Positional OSA (POSA) is limited. In this study, we aimed to evaluate the risk of cardiovascular diseases development and progression among patients with REM-OSA and POSA. MethodsBased on a retrospective cohort analysis, we included polysomnography studies done in the sleep lab at the Jordan University Hospital. Regarding cardiovascular diseases, primary outcomes were Heart Failure, and 1-years Major Adverse Cardiac Events while secondary outcomes were atrial fibrillation, pulmonary hypertension, other arrhythmia, metabolic profile, and echocardiographic measurements of the heart. ResultsThe total number of the included patients was 1,026 patients. POSA group had significantly lower percentage of patients with hypertension (P-value = 0.004). Additionally, systolic blood pressure and HbA1c were significantly lower among patients with POSA compared to the NPOSA group (P-value<0.050). Left ventricular end diastolic dimension was significantly higher among patients with POSA while ejection fraction was significantly lower (P-value<0.050). Patients with diabetes and mean HbA1c were significantly lower among patients with REM-OSA compared to patients with NREM-OSA (P-value = 0.015, P-value = 0.046). Multivariate regression analysis revealed that after adjusting for age, gender and preexisting comorbidities, POSA was significantly associated with lower ejection fraction and higher left ventricular diastolic diameter. ConclusionIn conclusion, our findings indicate that POSA might be associated with huge and clinically significant heart strain and poor cardiac functions, yet it might not have a clinically significant atherogenic effect. This study should guide clinicians to identify OSA phenotypes to imply the best treatment plan to reduce its detrimental impact on cardiac muscle.

Association between Rapid Eye Movement Obstructive Sleep Apnea and Metabolic Syndrome in a Japanese Population.

Objective Rapid eye movement (REM) obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is characterized by apnea and hypopnea events due to airway collapse occurring predominantly or exclusively during REM sleep. OSA is a potential risk factor for metabolic dysfunction. However, the association between REM OSA and risk of adverse health outcomes remains unclear. The present study investigated the association between REM OSA and metabolic syndrome (MetS), including the MetS components of hypertension, dyslipidemia, and hyperglycemia, in the Japanese population. Methods In total, 836 Japanese patients with mild to moderate OSA were enrolled in this study. We compared the prevalence of MetS, including hypertension, dyslipidemia, and hyperglycemia, between REM OSA and non-REM OSA via univariate analyses of descriptive statistics and logistic regression analyses. Results The prevalence of hypertension was 68.3% in the REM OSA group and 56.6% in the non-REM OSA group (p<0.05). In addition, the prevalence of metabolic syndrome was significantly higher (37.0%) in the REM OSA group than in the non-REM-OSA group (25.2%). Logistic regression analyses showed that the prevalence of hypertension and Mets was significantly greater in the REM OSA group than in the non-REM-OSA group. Conclusion Our findings suggest that patients with REM OSA, regardless of age, sex, and body mass index, are at a higher risk of developing hypertension and MetS than patients with non-REM OSA.

Long-term outcomes regarding arterial stiffness and carotid artery atherosclerosis in female patients with rapid eye movement obstructive sleep apnea.

ObjectiveRapid eye movement (REM) obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is associated with the risk of cardiovascular events. Arterial stiffness and carotid artery intima-media thickness (IMT) predict these events, but few relevant studies have been conducted. We compared long-term changes in arterial stiffness and IMT between patients with REM OSA and non-REM (NREM) OSA receiving continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) or oral appliance (OA) therapy.MethodsNewly diagnosed female patients with OSA received CPAP (n = 6) or OA (n = 7). Pulse wave velocity (PWV) and carotid artery ultrasound were performed before and 60 months after treatment.ResultsThere were no differences in baseline characteristics (mean age: 56.0 vs. 61.3 years; mean body mass index: 22.6 vs. 21.7 kg/m2) between the REM OSA and non-REM OSA groups. The median apnea-hypopnea index was lower in the REM OSA group than in the non-REM OSA group. Increased PWV (12.92 ± 1.64 to 14.56 ± 2.73 m/s) and deteriorated glucose metabolism were observed in the REM OSA group after treatment. PWV, IMT, and cardiovascular risk factors were unaffected in the non-REM OSA group.ConclusionArterial stiffness and glucose metabolism are deteriorated in patients with REM OSA compared with these parameters in patients with non-REM OSA after CPAP or OA treatment.

High Rapid Eye Movement Sleep Apnea Hypopnea Index is Associated with Hypertension in Patients with Obstructive Sleep Apnea

PurposeObstructive sleep apnea (OSA) plays an important role in the pathogenesis of hypertension. The aim of this cross-sectional study was to explore the clinical and polysomnographic characteristics of OSA patients with hypertension and to explore the gender differences in the relationship between rapid eye movement (REM) OSA and hypertension.Patients and MethodsA total of 808 patients with OSA at a tertiary hospital were enrolled in this study, and OSA patients were divided into groups presenting with or without hypertension. The clinical and polysomnographic characteristics were compared between the groups. Multivariate binary logistic analysis was performed to assess the association between REM OSA and hypertension.ResultsAfter adjustment for potential confounders, the risk of hypertension in patients with OSA increased with severity categories of apnea hypopnea index during rapid eye movement sleep stage (REM AHI) (OR = 1.61 for REM AHI ≥58.87 events/h relative to REM AHI <30.50 events/h, 95% CI 1.07–2.42, P = 0.022). Consistent with this, when taken as a continuous variable, this association still remains significant (OR = 1.007, 95% CI 1.001–1.014, P < 0.05). This effect was more pronounced in women patients, the OR for REM AHI ≥57.24 events/h relative to REM AHI <30.36 events/h was 2.79 (95% CI, 1.16–6.73; P = 0.022); however, there was no significant difference in male patients.ConclusionREM AHI was significantly and positively associated with hypertension in patients with OSA, and the effect was more pronounced in female patients.

The relationship between sleep quality, daytime sleepiness, and rapid eye movement obstructive sleep apnea (REM-OSA).

The prevalence of rapid eye movement obstructive sleep apnea (REM-OSA) varies among reports. It remains unclear whetheror not patients with REM-OSA experience more severe daytime sleepiness and poorer sleep quality than those with sleep-stage-independent obstructive sleep apnea (IND-OSA). We investigated the prevalence of REM-OSA in a Korean populationsample and determined whether or notREM-OSA was associated with poor sleep quality and daytime sleepiness. In this retrospective study. we defined "REM-OSA 1" as an apnea-hypopnea index (AHI) ≥ 5 and AHIREM/AHINREM ratio ≥ 2. Patients who also had an AHINREM < 15 were classified as "REM-OSA 2" and those with an AHINREM < 8 and REM sleep duration ≥ 10.5min were classified as "REM-OSA 3." Patient characteristics, Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS), Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), and polysomnography variables were compared between the REM-OSA and IND-OSA groups. Among483 patients, the prevalence rates of REM-OSA 1-3 were 10.3%, 5.5%, and 2.2% respectively. OSA severity was significantly lower in REM-OSA 1-3 thanin IND-OSA. The proportion of women was significantly higher in REM-OSA 1-3 than IND-OSA groups. Patients withREM-OSA 2 and 3 had a significantly lower body mass index than those with IND-OSA. Patients with moderate-to-severe REM-OSA had significantly higher PSQI scores thanthose with IND-OSA. The AHIREM was significantly correlated with the ESS and PSQI scores. Despite the relatively low prevalence and severity of REM-OSA, it may reduce sleep quality and increase daytime sleepiness in some patients.

Continuous positive airway pressure in patients with rapid eye movement (REM)-specific obstructive sleep apnea, a retrospective match-controlled chart review

Background: Rapid eye movement (REM) obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) represents 13 to 35% of all OSA cases and is more common in women. Continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) is the gold standard for treatment of all forms of OSA but we do not know if patients with REM OSA have different pressure requirements than those with non-stage dependent OSA. Methods: This was a retrospective case control study. We first identified individuals with REM OSA and then tried to identify apnea hypopnea index (AHI), gender, and body mass index (BMI) matching controls that had non-stage specific OSA. Individuals were considered to have REM OSA if the REM AHI was greater than 5 events/hour, and the ratio of REM AHI / non-rapid eye movement (NREM) AHI was greater than 2. Demographic variables and the recommended CPAP pressure were analyzed using paired Student’s T-Tests. Results: Our study included a total of 16 individuals with REM OSA and equal number of AHI, gender, and BMI matching controls. Both groups had similar demographic and polysomnographic characteristics. Individuals with REM OSA required similar CPAP pressures as controls (7.5 cm H 2O vs 7.4 cm H 2O p=0.78). Conclusion: Individuals with REM might require similar CPAP pressures as their AHI, gender, and BMI matching controls.

Continuous positive airway pressure in patients with rapid eye movement (REM)-specific obstructive sleep apnea, a retrospective match-controlled chart review

Background: Rapid eye movement (REM) obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) represents 13 to 35% of all OSA cases and is more common in women. Continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) is the gold standard for treatment of all forms of OSA but we do not know if patients with REM OSA have different pressure requirements than those with non-stage dependent OSA. Methods: This was a retrospective case control study. We first identified individuals with REM OSA and then tried to identify apnea hypopnea index (AHI), gender, and body mass index (BMI) matching controls that had non-stage specific OSA. Individuals were considered to have REM OSA if the REM AHI was greater than 5 events/hour, and the ratio of REM AHI / non-rapid eye movement (NREM) AHI was greater than 2. Demographic variables and the recommended CPAP pressure were analyzed using paired Student’s T-Tests. Results: Our study included a total of 16 individuals with REM OSA and equal number of AHI, gender, and BMI matching controls. Both groups had similar demographic and polysomnographic characteristics. Individuals with REM OSA required similar CPAP pressures as controls (7.5 cm H2O vs 7.4 cm H2O p=0.78). Conclusion: Individuals with REM require similar CPAP pressures as their AHI, gender, and BMI matching controls.

REM obstructive sleep apnea: risk for adverse health outcomes and novel treatments.

Rapid eye movement (REM) sleep was discovered nearly 60years ago. This stage of sleep accounts for approximately a quarter of total sleep time in healthy adults, and it is mostly concentrated in the second half of the sleep period. The majority of research on REM sleep has focused on neurocognition. More recently, however, there has been a growing interest in understanding whether obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) during the two main stages of sleep (REM and non-REM sleep) leads to different cardiometabolic and neurocognitive risk. In this review, we discuss the growing evidence indicating that OSA during REM sleep is a prevalent disorder that is independently associated with adverse cardiovascular, metabolic, and neurocognitive outcomes. From a therapeutic standpoint, we discuss limitations of continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) therapy given that 3 or 4h of CPAP use from the beginning of the sleep period would leave 75% or 60% of obstructive events during REM sleep untreated. We also review potential pharmacologic approaches to treating OSA during REM sleep. Undoubtedly, further research is needed to establish best treatment strategies in order to effectively treat REM OSA. Moreover, it is critical to understand whether treatment of REM OSA will translate into better patient outcomes.

Rapid Eye Movement-Related Obstructive Sleep Apnea: A Study on the Pathogenesis through Clinical and Polysomnographic Features

Purpose: The aims of this study were to evaluate the differences of clinical and polysomnographic features between rapid eye movement (REM)-related obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) and not-REM-related OSA, and to suggest the pathogenesis according to the REM dependency of OSA. Methods: One hundred ninety consecutive patients diagnosed with OSA were evaluated clinical features and performed full night polysomnography. The patients were divided into REMrelated (REM apnea-hypopnea index [AHI] at least two times higher than their non-REM AHI) and not-REM-related (a REM AHI less than two times higher than their non-REM AHI) OSA groups and evaluated the differences in age, body mass index (BMI), neck circumference, Epworth Sleepiness Scale score, and parameters of polysomnography. Results: REM-related patients were younger and showed higher sleep efficacy, low percentage of light sleep stage (stage 1 sleep), and low rate of positional OSA. Age was significantly associated with REM dependency of OSA and REM AHI were significant correlated with BMI, neck circumference, percentage of sleep in supine position, and percentage time of snoring. Conclusions: Our results showed that REM-related OSA patients showed less severe polysomnographic parameters than not-REM-related patients. However, significant risk factors were differed depending on the REM dependency and OSA severity, and the clinical features correlated with REM AHI and non-REM AHI were also showed differently. We suggest that the occurrence of OSA according to the REM dependency can be based on different mechanisms.

Obstructive sleep apnea during rapid eye movement sleep: clinical relevance and therapeutic implications.

Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is a highly prevalent condition that has been associated with cardiovascular morbidity and mortality, impaired glucose metabolism and daytime functional impairment. Compared with nonrapid eye movement sleep, rapid eye movement (REM) sleep is associated with higher sympathetic activity and cardiovascular instability in healthy individuals and more so in patients with OSA. Recent studies have indicated that REM OSA is independently associated with prevalent and incident hypertension, nondipping of nocturnal blood pressure, increased insulin resistance and impairment of human spatial navigational memory. These findings have significant clinical implications for the duration of continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) use that is needed to decrease the health risks associated with OSA. Further research is needed to establish the duration of CPAP needed to effectively treat REM OSA and to evaluate patients with REM OSA with an overall normal apnea-hypopnea index.

Sleep Disordered Breathing in Young Boys with Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy

To describe sleep-disordered breathing (SDB) in young boys with Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) and its relationship with pulmonary function tests (PFTs). This retrospective study examined diagnostic polysomnogram and PFT data of boys younger than 18 years with DMD and treated with steroids. Spirometry, respiratory muscle strength, body mass index (BMI), sleep architecture variables, and indices of SDB were analyzed. We examined the effect of PFT measures on the risk of each type of respiratory event using logistic regression and have reported results as OR (95% CI). Subjects included 110 boys with DMD, mean age 11.5 (5.6-17.9) years. Mean (±SD) percent forced vital capacity predicted was 79.5% ± 29.1%. Mean BMI for all subjects was 21.9 ± 7.0 kg/m(2), and mean BMI z-score was 0.65 ± 1.93. Seventy (63.6%) subjects had obstructive sleep apnea; 37 (33.6%) subjects had central sleep apnea; 18 (17%) subjects had hypoventilation. Median (IQR) Apnea Hypopnea Index was 2.9 (1.6-6.9) and median Obstructive Index was 1.5 (0.5-3.8). Obstructive Index during rapid eye movement sleep positively correlated with BMI (r = 0.33, P = .002), BMI z-score (r = 0.22, P = .04), and age (r = 0.31, P = .004). Lower forced vital capacity was associated with increased risk of hypoventilation (OR 0.8, P = .001). SDB is common in young boys with DMD treated with steroids. It is manifest with rapid eye movement-obstructive sleep apnea, often severe, and strongly influenced by BMI.

Apnea-induced rapid eye movement sleep disruption impairs human spatial navigational memory.

Hippocampal electrophysiology and behavioral evidence support a role for sleep in spatial navigational memory, but the role of particular sleep stages is less clear. Although rodent models suggest the importance of rapid eye movement (REM) sleep in spatial navigational memory, a similar role for REM sleep has never been examined in humans. We recruited subjects with severe obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) who were well treated and adherent with continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP). Restricting CPAP withdrawal to REM through real-time monitoring of the polysomnogram provides a novel way of addressing the role of REM sleep in spatial navigational memory with a physiologically relevant stimulus. Individuals spent two different nights in the laboratory, during which subjects performed timed trials before and after sleep on one of two unique 3D spatial mazes. One night of sleep was normally consolidated with use of therapeutic CPAP throughout, whereas on the other night, CPAP was reduced only in REM sleep, allowing REM OSA to recur. REM disruption via this method caused REM sleep reduction and significantly fragmented any remaining REM sleep without affecting total sleep time, sleep efficiency, or slow-wave sleep. We observed improvements in maze performance after a night of normal sleep that were significantly attenuated after a night of REM disruption without changes in psychomotor vigilance. Furthermore, the improvement in maze completion time significantly positively correlated with the mean REM run duration across both sleep conditions. In conclusion, we demonstrate a novel role for REM sleep in human memory formation and highlight a significant cognitive consequence of OSA.

Clinical and Polysomnographic Characteristics in Rapid Eye Movement-Related Obstructive Sleep Apnea

Background and Objectives：To evaluate the clinical and polysomnographic features of rapid eye movement (REM)-related obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). Subjects and Method：185 consecutive OSA patients were classified as having REM and nonREM OSA. Subjective symptoms, anthropometric and polysomnographic characteristics between REM OSAS and non-REM OSAS patients were compared. Results：Thirty-eight of the 185 patients (20.5%) were classified as REM OSA, and 147 patients (79.5%) were classified as non-REM OSA. Ninety five percent of the REM OSA patients belonged to the mild or moderate OSA group. The dominant occurrence of apnea and hypopnea in REM sleep did notseem to affect subjective symptoms and daytime sleepiness. Anthropometric and polysomnographic features did not help to differentiate REM OSA from non-REM OSA. Conclusion：REM OSA may not be a separate and specific disease entity of OSA. (Korean J Otorhinolaryngol-Head Neck Surg 2009;52:36-40)