Treatment Of Obstructive Sleep Apnea Research Articles

Efficacy of obstructive sleep apnea treatment in reducing fall risk in older adults: study protocol for a clinical trial

BackgroundFalls are a major cause of hospitalization fractures and functional decline in older adults. Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), a highly prevalent sleep breathing disorder in older adults, has emerged as a potentially modifiable risk factor for falls. A small number of uncontrolled studies suggest OSA therapy by continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) may reduce fall risk. We aim to describe the design of a randomized clinical trial that will evaluate if six months of CPAP intervention can significantly reduce fall risk markers in older adults with OSA. Methods140 adults aged ≥60 years at risk of falls with diagnosed and untreated OSA will be randomized to receive CPAP and usual care for fall risk or only usual care for fall risk. The primary outcome will be the difference in fall risk scores, derived from the physiological profile assessment, between the two arms six months post-randomization. Secondary outcomes will include differences in gait, quality of life, sleep quality (self-reported and objective home-based monitoring), psychological well-being, cognitive function, physical performance, muscle strength, and body composition at six months post-randomization. ResultsData will be analyzed on an intention-to-treat basis. Ethical approval was obtained from Southern Adelaide Clinical Human Research Ethics Committee in July 2023 (reference: 2023/HRE00081). Outcomes will be disseminated through publication in peer-reviewed journals and presentations at international conferences. Trial registration number: Australian New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry (ACTRN) 12623000965606 ConclusionThe findings from this study will provide insight into the causal associations between OSA and fall risk and contribute to high quality evidence required to inform larger clinical trials and future guidelines for fall prevention

The efficacy and safety of dual orexin receptor antagonists in obstructive sleep apnea: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials.

Dual orexin receptor antagonists (DORAs) are indicated for the treatment of insomnia disorder. However, DORAs may change sleep parameters, thus having adverse effects on patients with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). This meta-analysis clarified the impact of DORAs in OSA treatment on sleep architecture and respiratory parameters. We systematically searched PubMed, Embase, and Cochrane Central databases for randomised control trials published up to May 2024. The search focussed on studies discussing the effects of DORAs on sleep architecture in patients with OSA. Nonrandomised studies were excluded. A meta-analysis using a random-effects model was performed. The patients were categorised into subgroups based on the treatment protocol (single or multiple dosages). The Cochrane risk of bias tool for randomised trials assessed the risk of bias. Our meta-analysis included four randomised placebo-controlled trials, encompassing 126 patients with a mean age of 49.1 years. The effects of DORAs on sleep architecture and respiratory parameters were examined. The main findings were as follows: DORAs significantly increased the total sleep time and improved sleep efficiency. However, they did not affect rapid eye movement sleep. DORAs also showed a trend towards decreased wake after sleep onset and did not increase the apnea-hypopnea index. DORAs did not increase the percentage of total sleep time with oxygen saturation lower than 90% and 85% compared with placebo, respectively. Furthermore, DORAs were not associated with significantly higher adverse effects compared with placebo. This meta-analysis demonstrated that DORAs improve sleep and do not impair nighttime respiratory function in patients with OSA.

Relationship Between Obstructive Sleep Apnea and Sports—Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

The primary objective of this research is to analyze and compare the effects of physical activity on patients diagnosed with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), a condition characterized by repeated episodes of partial or complete obstruction of the upper airway during sleep, leading to disrupted sleep and various health complications. Methods: A systematic and strategic search of 16 peer-reviewed articles was conducted to assess the impact of different types of physical exercise on the apnea–hypopnea index (AHI), a key metric used to quantify the severity of OSA. The selected studies focused on two main exercise modalities: aerobic exercise alone and a combination of aerobic and resistance training. These modalities were examined to determine their respective influences on the AHI among individuals with OSA. Results: The findings revealed that aerobic exercise alone did not significantly alter the apnea–hypopnea index (p = 0.15), suggesting limited effectiveness in reducing the severity of OSA when performed in isolation. However, in patients who engaged in combined physical activity—incorporating both aerobic and resistance exercises—a significant reduction in the AHI was observed (p < 0.01), indicating a more substantial therapeutic effect. Conclusions: This study concludes that a structured exercise program combining aerobic and resistance training produces a significant improvement in the apnea–hypopnea indices of patients with obstructive sleep apnea. These results highlight the potential of combined exercise regimens as a non-pharmacological intervention that could complement traditional OSA treatments, offering a viable approach to managing the condition and improving patient outcomes. Future research should aim to explore the optimal exercise intensity, duration, and frequency to maximize these benefits.

Abstract 4134668: Title: Mandibular advancement device versus CPAP on cardiovascular health and quality of life in OSA a pre-specified 12 months follow up of outcomes

Background: Obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA) is a significant cause of hypertension. ACC/AHA Guidelines recommended screening and treatment of OSA in patients with hypertension; however, evidence comparing mandibular advancement devices (MAD) to continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) on cardiovascular health is lacking. We present the complete 12 months follow-up data on the comparative effectiveness of MAD versus CPAP in ambulatory BP reduction, QoL, cardiac arrhythmia, and myocardial remodelling. Method: In a randomized, non-inferiority trial (margin 1.5 mmHg), 321 participants, aged over 40, with hypertension and high cardiovascular risk were recruited. Of these, 220 participants with OSA (apnoea–hypopnea index ≥15 events/h) were randomized to either MAD or CPAP (1:1). Pre-specified secondary outcomes include: ambulatory BP, quality of life (QoL) (sleep-specific: ESS, SAQLI, FOSQ; non-sleep-specific: SF-36, EQ-5D), ambulatory ECG monitoring, and cardiac MRI. Results: A total of 89 (80.9% of 110) participants from MAD, and 91 (82.7% of 110) participants from CPAP completed 12 months follow-up. The median daily usage was 5.5 hours for MAD and 4.9 hours for CPAP. The between-group difference in 24h mean BP from baseline to 12 months was - 0.57 mmHg (95% confidence interval: (-2.53 to 1.39, non-inferiority P < 0.001). Compared with the CPAP group, MAD group demonstrated a larger reduction in all the 24h with the most pronounced differences observed in the asleep BP parameters (Table 1). Both the MAD and CPAP improved QoL (Table 2). CPAP had greater improvement in FOSQ from sleep-specific questionnaires (P=0.038), and social QoL in SF-36 from non-sleep-specificl questionnaires (P=0.013). The ambulatory ECG monitoring (MAD: 2.8 ± 1.0 days, CPAP: 2.3 ± 1.1 days) showed no between-group differences in % atrial fibrillation(P=0.209), % ventricular ectopic isolated count (P=0.790) and % supraventricular ectopic isolated count (P= 0.333). The cardiac MRI sub-study (101 participants : MAD= 45, CPAP= 56) showed CPAP had greater improvement in right ventricular stroke volume (P=0.023) and MAD had greater improvement in circumferential strain favours the MAD group (P=0.015) (Table 3). Conclusion: At 12 months , MAD was non-inferior to CPAP for reducing 24h mean arterial BP. MAD showed greater reduction in 24h BPs, especially during asleep. While both the MAD and CPAP are effective in improving QoL, CPAP is more effective in improving FOSQ and social QoL (SF-36).

The Great Controversy of Obstructive Sleep Apnea Treatment for Cardiovascular Risk Benefit: Advancing the Science Through Expert Consensus. An Official American Thoracic Society Workshop Report.

The prevalence of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is on the rise, driven by various factors including more sensitive diagnostic criteria, increased awareness, enhanced technology through at-home testing enabling easy and cost-effective diagnosis, and a growing incidence of comorbid conditions such as obesity. Treating symptomatic patients with OSA syndrome to enhance quality of life remains a cornerstone approach. However, there is a lack of consensus regarding treatment to improve cardiovascular disease (CVD) outcomes, particularly in light of overall negative results from several randomized controlled trials (RCT) indicating no benefit of positive airway pressure (PAP) therapy on primary and secondary CVD events. These RCTs were limited by suboptimal PAP adherence, use of composite CVD outcomes, and limited diversity and generalizability to Sleep Clinic patients. As such, this workshop assembled clinical experts, as well as researchers in basic and translational science, epidemiology, clinical trials, and population health to discuss the current state, and future research directions to guide personalized therapeutic strategies and future research directions in OSA. There was overall consensus among workshop participants that OSA represents a heterogeneous disease with variable endotypes and phenotypes, and heterogeneous responses to treatment. Future research should prioritize employing multi-modal therapeutic approaches within innovative and adaptive trial designs, focusing on specific subgroups of OSA patients hypothesized to benefit from a CVD perspective. Future work should also be inclusive of diverse populations and consider the life-course of OSA to better comprehend treatment strategies that can address the disproportionate impact of OSA on racially minoritized groups. Further, a more holistic approach to sleep must be adopted to include broader assessments of symptoms, sleep duration, and comorbid sleep and circadian disorders. Finally, it is imperative to establish a sleep research consortium dedicated to collecting raw data and biospecimens categorized by OSA subtypes. This will facilitate mechanistic determinations, foster collaborative research, and help bolster the pipeline of early-career researchers.

Shared genetic associations and etiology between obstructive sleep apnea and CVDs: A genome-wide cross-trait analysis and bidirectional Mendelian randomization analysis.

To investigate the genetic correlations and potential causal relationships between obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) and various cardiovascular diseases (CVDs), aiming to enhance understanding of shared genetic mechanisms and improve recognition and treatment of OSA in patients with CVDs. Utilizing genome-wide association study (GWAS) data, we analyzed shared genetics between OSA and CVDs using linkage disequilibrium score regression (LDSC), multi-trait analysis of GWAS (MTAG), and genotype-tissue expression analysis (GTEx TSEA). We further investigated causal relationships using Bayesian colocalization tests, bidirectional Mendelian randomization (MR), and latent causal variable (LCV) analysis. We found strong associations between OSA and multiple CVDs: coronary artery disease (CAD), heart failure (HF), myocardial infarction (MI), stroke, and atrial fibrillation (AF). Novel SNPs related to CVDs were identified during single-trait MTAG analysis. By applying cross-trait MTAG, we identified 15 shared loci between OSA and CAD, 25 shared loci between OSA and MI, and 7 shared loci between OSA and HF. Shared genes are primarily expressed in the blood, heart, kidney, liver, muscle, and pancreas. MR analysis indicated a significant causal effect of OSA on HF and AF as a causal factor for OSA. LCV analysis suggested that AF was causally associated with OSA, while HF showed partial causality. Our study suggests strong genetic correlations between OSA and several CVDs. Further research is needed on the associations between OSA and CVDs, as well as the mechanisms of the identified loci.

Cannabinoids for obstructive sleep apnea: A systematic review.

Cannabinoids have emerged as a potential treatment for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). This systematic review aimed to summarize the efficacy and safety of cannabinoids to treat OSA. Databases including Ovid MEDLINE, EMBASE, Scopus, PsycINFO, and International Pharmaceutical Abstracts were searched; experimental and observational studies were eligible for inclusion. One-hundred seventy unique records were screened, and nine studies included: five full-text studies and four published abstracts. The five full-text studies were judged for quality appraisal: two studies deemed at low risk for bias, one study deemed to have some concerns for bias, and two studies deemed to have high risk for bias. Seven of nine total studies were experimental designs and evaluated dronabinol, and the other two studies were observational designs evaluating cannabis. The range of cannabinoid therapy duration spanned from 1 to 6 weeks, and the median duration was 3 weeks. Eight of nine total studies reported statistically significant, positive OSA outcomes due to cannabinoid therapy including reductions in the apnea hypopnea index and improvements in patient-reported daytime sleepiness scales. Between 70% and 80% of study participants reported neuropsychiatric and gastrointestinal adverse events attributable to cannabinoids. The American Academy of Sleep Medicine does not recommend using cannabinoids to treat OSA due to a lack of long-term safety and efficacy data. This systematic review found similar limitations, with the median cannabinoid treatment duration being only 3 weeks. Adequately powered experimental trials over longer time frames are necessary to more completely assess the long-term efficacy and safety of cannabinoids in the treatment of OSA and its effects on common comorbid conditions, such as obesity and cardiovascular disease.

Mouth Leak is Associated with Sleep Fragmentation During Nasal CPAP Treatment of OSA and May Be Detected by Leak Waveform Analysis.

Mouth air leak is a major cause of low adherence to nasal CPAP in patients with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). However, CPAP reports do not distinguish mouth from mask leak. We hypothesized that mouth air leak is terminated abruptly by an arousal from sleep and mouth closing that can be detected by CPAP leak waveform analysis. Describe patterns of mouth air leak waveform during polysomnography (PSG) in patients with OSA treated with well-fitted nasal CPAP. PSG recordings with a jaw motion sensor to detect mouth opening were performed in OSA patients treated with nasal CPAP with suspected mouth air leak. Careful mask fitting and visual inspection excluded mask leak. Mouth leak episodes were characterized by an increase (≥ 20%) above the intentional leak. Leak episodes were classified as intermittent (< 5 minutes) or continuous (≥ 5 minutes). Twenty patients (80% men; age: 63±11 years; body mass index: 29.9±6 kg/m2; baseline apnea hypopnea index: 46.9±19 events/h) treated with nasal CPAP and documented mouth leak completed the study. All but one patient experienced an overlap of intermittent and continuous mouth leak. Most mouth leak episodes ended with mouth closure (97.7%) and an arousal (52.7%) or awakening (38.6%). Only 34.9% of the leak episodes were associated with respiratory events. Intermittent mouth air leak was more common in sleep stages N1+ N2 (P<0.01), while continuous leak was more common in sleep stage N3 (P<0.01). Continuous episodes of air leak were associated with a higher amplitude of mouth opening. CPAP report waveform was able to detect only 29.6% of the leak episodes detected by PSG. Only 10 patients (50%) had a high unintentional leak according to the criterion adopted by ResMed and only 2 patients (10%) presented large leak according to the Philips criterion. Intermittent and continuous mouth leak during nasal CPAP frequently co-exist and contribute to sleep fragmentation. Identification of leak waveform patterns may help detect mouth air leak which in turn is an important cause of poor CPAP adherence.

A PhD completed. Issues related to indication, surgery, and outcome of maxillomandibular advancement in obstructive sleep apnea

Obstructive sleep apnea is a common sleep-related breathing disorder. Although maxillomandibular advancement is widely recognized for its proven effectiveness, there are still uncertainties surrounding this procedure. This research therefore focused on the indication, surgical techniques, and outcomes of maxillomandibular advancement in patients with obstructive sleep apnea. A systematic review and meta-analysis showed that maxillomandibular advancement is more effective than multilevel surgery for the treatment of obstructive sleep apnea. Both maxillomandibular advancement and hypoglossal nerve stimulation were identified as effective and safe treatment methods for obstructive sleep apnea. Various retrospective studies also indicated that patients with hypopnea-dominant obstructive sleep apnea are better candidates for maxillomandibular advancement, in contrast to patients with cardiovascular diseases or a higher central apnea index. Furthermore, it was demonstrated that maxillomandibular advancement is effective in patients with a high percentage of central and mixed apneas, despite the potential surgical inaccuracies of maxillomandibular advancement, highlighting the broad applicability of this treatment method.

Long-term outcomes of extracapsular tonsillectomy in the treatment of obstructive sleep apnoea in adults

Background Tonsillectomy is an effective treatment option for obstructive sleep apnoea in selected adult patients, but there has been a lack of long-term follow-up data. Objectives To analyse the long-term outcomes of extracapsular tonsillectomy in the treatment of obstructive sleep apnoea in adults, with the longest follow-up periods to date. Materials and methods We recruited adults who had undergone extracapsular tonsillectomy because of obstructive sleep apnoea between 2004 and 2018 in the Hospital District of Southwest Finland. A new home sleep study, questionnaires, and a structured phone interview were conducted on these patients 4–17 years after surgical treatment. The primary outcome was the change in the apnoea-hypopnoea index. Results The mean apnoea-hypopnoea index was reduced from 27.1 preoperatively to 14.1 after the long-term follow-up (mean 12 years), and the mean Epworth Sleepiness Scale score decreased from 9.2 to 4.6. The long-term surgical success rate was 38.5%. Four out of five patients would choose the surgery again according to the phone interview. Conclusions and significance This study supports the notion that extracapsular tonsillectomy alone can be considered as a surgical treatment option for selected adults with obstructive sleep apnoea and tonsillar hypertrophy. For most of the patients, the obstructive sleep apnoea is alleviated.

Prognostic Effect of Obstructive Sleep Apnea in Acute Coronary Syndrome Patients with Heart Failure

Acute coronary syndrome (ACS), heart failure (HF) and obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) often overlap and interact, the impact of OSA on ACS patients with HF remains unclear. The study sought to comprehensively evaluate the effects of the interaction between OSA and HF on long-term cardiovascular outcomes in ACS patients. Between June 2015 and January 2020, patients hospitalized for ACS were prospectively enrolled and underwent portable sleep monitoring after clinically stabilization. OSA was defined as an apnea hypopnea index ≥15 events/h. HF was defined using medical records. The primary endpoint was major adverse cardiovascular and cerebrovascular event (MACCE), including death, myocardial infarction, stroke, ischemia-driven revascularization, and hospitalization for unstable angina. Among all 1927 included patients, 214 (11.1%) had HF, and 1014 (52.6%) had OSA. For 2.9 years (1.5, 3.6 years) follow-up, OSA was independently associated with the risk of MACCE in HF patients (adjusted hazard ratio [HR], 2.11; 95%CI, 1.16-3.84; P=0.014), but not in those without HF (adjusted HR, 1.15; 95%CI, 0.92-1.45; P=0.228). Further analysis showed OSA exerted more prognostic effect in HF patients with preserved eject fraction (adjusted HR, 2.45; 95% CI, 1.11-5.41; P=0.027) than those with reduced eject fraction (adjusted HR, 1.62; 95% CI, 0.63-4.20; P=0.319). In the settings of ACS, OSA was independently associated with poor prognosis in patients with concomitant HF especially those with persevered ejection fraction. Screening and treatment for OSA are highly recommended in ACS patients with HF. URL: www.clinicaltrails.gov; Unique Identifier: NCT03362385.

Impact of Obstructive Sleep Apnea in Patients with Acute Heart Failure: A Nationwide Cohort Study

Background/Objectives: Heart failure presents a significant public health challenge, affecting millions in the US, with projections of increasing prevalence and economic burdens. Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is highly prevalent among HF patients. This study analyzes the impact of OSA on the outcomes in patients admitted with acute decompensated heart failure. Methods: We conducted a retrospective cohort study using the National Inpatient Sample database (NIS) 2020, focusing on patients admitted with acute heart failure. Patient outcomes were compared between those with and without a secondary diagnosis of OSA, identified via validated ICD-10 codes. Subgroup analysis was conducted between heart failure patients with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF) and preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF). Results: Among 65,649 patients with acute heart failure, 4595 (7%) patients were found to have OSA. The patients with OSA were more likely to be male, older in age and had a higher burden of comorbidities. No significant differences were observed in mortality between heart failure patients with and without OSA. In HFrEF patients, OSA was associated with longer hospital stays (6.45 days vs. 5.79 days, p &lt; 0.001), higher rates of acute kidney injury (AKI) (adjusted odds ratio 1.28, 95% CI: 1.07–1.54, p = 0.007), and atrial fibrillation (adjusted odds ratio 1.35, 95% CI: 1.13–1.61, p = 0.001). In HFpEF patients, an association between OSA and AF was observed (adjusted odds ratio 1.20, 95% CI: 1.01–1.42, p = 0.03). Conclusions: OSA is associated with poor in-hospital outcomes in patients admitted with acute heart failure. HFrEF subgroup is especially vulnerable, with OSA leading to a significant increase in healthcare utilization and complication rates in these patients. This nationwide study underscores the importance of timely identification and treatment of OSA in heart failure to alleviate healthcare burdens and improve patient outcomes.

Cost-Effectiveness of Sleep Apnea Diagnosis and Treatment in Hospitalized Persons With Moderate to Severe Traumatic Brain Injury.

To assess the cost-effectiveness of alternative approaches to diagnose and treat obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) in patients with traumatic brain injury (TBI) during inpatient rehabilitation. Data collected during the Comparison of Sleep Apnea Assessment Strategies to Maximize TBI Rehabilitation Participation and Outcome (C-SAS) clinical trial (NCT03033901) on an inpatient rehabilitation TBI cohort were used in this study. Decision tree analysis was used to determine the cost-effectiveness of approaches to diagnosing and treating sleep apnea. Costs were determined using 2021 Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services reimbursement codes. Effectiveness was defined in terms of the appropriateness of treatment. Costs averted were extracted from the literature. A sensitivity analysis was performed to account for uncertainty. Analyses were performed for all severity levels of OSA and a subgroup of those with moderate to severe OSA. Six inpatient approaches using various phases of screening, testing, and treatment that conform to usual care or guideline-endorsed interventions were evaluated: (1) usual care; (2) portable diagnostic testing followed by laboratory-quality testing; (3) screening with the snoring, tiredness, observed apnea, high BP, BMI, age, neck circumference, and male gender (STOP-Bang) questionnaire; (4) Multivariable Apnea Prediction Index (MAPI) followed by portable diagnostic testing and laboratory-quality testing; (5) laboratory-quality testing for all; and (6) treatment for all patients. Cost, Effectiveness, and Incremental Cost-Effectiveness Ratio (ICER). Phased approaches utilizing screening and diagnostic tools were more effective in diagnosing and allocating treatment for OSA than all alternatives in patients with mild to severe and moderate to severe OSA. Usual care was more costly and less effective than all other approaches for mild to severe and moderate to severe OSA. Diagnosing and treating OSA in patients with TBI is a cost-effective strategy when compared with usual care.

Preclinical in vitro and in vivo evaluation of [11C]ORM-13070 as PET ligand for alpha-2C adrenergic receptor occupancy using PET imaging in non-human primates.

This paper describes the preclinical validation of the radioligand [11C]ORM-13070 and its tritiated analog for addressing selectivity and occupancy of the selective alpha-2C adrenergic receptor (α2CR) antagonist BAY 292 in the cynomolgus brain. BAY 292 is a novel drug candidate being developed for the treatment of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) via binding to central α2CR. In vitro autoradiography studies with sections from non-diseased post-mortem human caudate revealed an excellent specific binding window (>80%) using [3H]ORM-13070. BAY 292 bound to the same binding site as [3H]ORM-13070 and generated a good specific binding signal, with greater selectivity for α2CR. In non-human primates in vivo, [11C]ORM-13070 demonstrated a reversible behavior, with uptake at baseline highest in striatum (putamen, caudate, ventral striatum, and pallidum) and low in the cerebellar cortex, consistent with the known distribution of the α2CR. A dose dependent increase in receptor occupancy after BAY 292 administration was observed, confirming BBB penetration and target engagement. The estimated EC50 for BAY 292 is 33.39 ± 11.91 ng/mL. This study aimed to demonstrate the suitability of [11C]ORM-13070 as a PET-radioligand for the study of α2CR in the non-human primate brain, and to pave the way for future clinical PET tracer studies with BAY 292.

Vitamin D Deficiency and Pediatric Obstructive Sleep Apnea Severity

Prior research has demonstrated an association between vitamin D deficiency and obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) in adults; however, its association with pediatric OSA is emerging. To evaluate the association of vitamin D levels with obstructive Apnea-Hypopnea Index (AHI) in children with OSA. This was a cross-sectional study of children aged 2 to 16 years with severe obstructive OSA (AHI ≥20 on polysomnogram) who were undergoing adenotonsillectomy at a tertiary care pediatric otolaryngology clinic from 2017 to 2022. Age, sex, race, body mass index, history of asthma, and season were considered in the analyses. Data were analyzed from September 3, 2021, to October 8, 2021. Serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25[OH]D) levels were measured and assessed for correlation with polysomnography metrics. Fasting blood samples were collected and vitamin D deficiency was defined as 25(OH)D level less than 20 ng/mL. The consecutive sample included 72 patients (mean [SD] age, 6.7 [3.9] years; 34 [47.2%] females and 38 [52.8%] males). The mean (SD) AHI was 42.8 (25.5), and 35 participants (49.0%) had obesity. Vitamin D deficiency was present in 27 participants (37.5%). In univariate analysis, vitamin D deficiency was associated with younger age (difference, -5.0; 95% CI, -7.2 to -2.8), Black race (odds ratio [OR], 4.3; 95% CI, 1.4 to 14.3), female sex (OR, 4.8; 95% CI, 1.7 to 12.5), and higher obstructive AHI (difference, 13.8; 95% CI, 1.2 to 26.4). In multivariable analysis, vitamin D deficiency remained significantly associated with AHI. A 1.0-unit decrease in serum 25(OH)D levels was associated with an AHI increase of 0.7 (95% CI, 0.04 to 1.40). The findings of this cross-sectional study indicate that vitamin D deficiency was common in children undergoing adenotonsillectomy for severe OSA and is significantly associated with increased OSA severity. Future research is needed on vitamin D supplementation and its association with any improvements in pediatric OSA treatment outcomes.

Treatment of obstructive sleep apnea with CPAP improves daytime sleepiness and fatigue in cancer patients.

Fatigue and sleep disorders are prevalent in cancer patients. Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) commonly causes excessive daytime sleepiness (EDS) and fatigue. We hypothesize that treating cancer patients with OSA using positive airway pressure (PAP) will improve EDS and fatigue. A retrospective chart review of sleep clinic visits of cancer patients with newly diagnosed OSA was performed. Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS) and fatigue reported at baseline and within 6 months of starting PAP therapy were compared between PAP-adherent and PAP-non-adherent patients. 65 cancer patients with OSA and ESS >10 were recommended PAP therapy, including 45 patients with fatigue. 29 patients pursued PAP therapy with 79% (n = 23) adherent at follow-up. The median baseline apnea hypopnea index (AHI) for OSA was 24.0 (interquartile range [IQR] 14.3, 32.3) and 23.8 (IQR 10.1, 42.8) events/hour among PAP-adherent and PAP-non-adherent patients, respectively (p = 0.90). Median baseline ESS was 14.0 (IQR 12.0, 17.0) among adherent and 17.0 (IQR 11.0, 17.3) among non-adherent patients (p = 0.73). The median ESS at follow-up of the adherent and non-adherent groups was 8.0 (IQR 6.0, 10.0) and 11.0 (IQR 8.0, 15.8), respectively (p = 0.08). Median ESS change was -5.0 (IQR -7.0, -4.0) in PAP adherent patients and -2.5 (IQR -5.25, -1.50) in PAP-non-adherent patients (p = 0.07). When the groups are examined separately, the median change in the PAP-adherent group was highly significant (p = 0.001), while the ESS median change in the PAP-non-adherent group was considerably less (p = 0.04). 17out of the 21 PAP-adherent patients reporting fatigue at baseline indicated improvement at follow-up. PAP therapy for OSA in cancer patients improves EDS and fatigue. Larger studies are necessary to evaluate the efficacy of PAP in improving fatigue in this population.

Understanding the clinical management of co-occurring sleep-related bruxism and obstructive sleep apnea in adults: A narrative and critical review.

Sleep-related bruxism (SRB) is a motor oral behavior characterized by tooth grinding and jaw clenching activity, reported by 8%-12% of the adult general population and 3% of older individuals. The frequency of one of its biomarkers, rhythmic masticatory muscle activity (RMMA), remains elevated across ages. Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is associated with the brief and repetitive pause of breathing (apnea) and with transient reduction in oxygen (hypoxia). OSA is observed at all ages and in about 50% of older individuals with a male preponderance. SRB clinical assessment is based on self-reporting of tooth grinding sound, awareness of clenching, jaw pain or headache, and clinical observation of tooth damage. OSA clinical assessment is based on sleepiness and fatigue, snoring, sleep quality, and awareness of breathing cessation, plus clinical examination of anatomical factors (e.g., obesity, retrognathia, large tonsil, macroglossia), age, gender, and body mass. Although the literature does not support association or causality between these two conditions, the co-occurrence is reported in about 30%-50% of adults. To confirm a diagnosis of co-occurring SRB and OSA, home sleep testing (HST) may be indicated. A sleep test is performed using electromyography (EMG) of jaw muscle (masseter or temporalis) and cardio-respiratory variables (e.g., air flow, respiratory effort, oxygen level, heart rate). The management of co-occurring SRB and OSA for individuals with prosthodontic needs is challenging to prevent compromising the oro-pharyngeal space and breathing efficiency. OSA treatment in the presence of SRB includes continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) use alone or with an occlusal splint or mandibular advancement device (MAD). In addition, the following may be considered: supine sleep correction device, myofuncional therapy, medications, and surgeries. All have limitations and risks. Individual variability suggests that phenotyping is mandatory to select the most efficient and personalized treatment.

Diagnosis and Management of Obstructive Sleep Apnea: Updates and Review

Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is a heterogenous disease process that cannot be adequately categorized by AHI alone. There is a significant prevalence of OSA in the general population with ongoing efforts to evaluate the risk factors contributing to OSA and its associated clinical implications. Only by improving our understanding of OSA can we advance our methods in the diagnosis and treatment of OSA. For this article, the authors reviewed keywords of obstructive sleep apnea diagnosis and therapy in the databases of Embase, Medline, and Medline ePub over the past 3 years, excluding any articles that only addressed sleep apnea in children under age 17 years. This review article is divided into three main sections. First, we will investigate the use of novel screening tools, biomarkers, anthropometric measurements, and novel wearable technologies that show promise in improving the diagnosis of OSA. There is mention of comorbid conditions seen in OSA patients since certain disease combinations can significantly worsen health and should raise our awareness to diagnose and manage those concomitant disorders. The second section will look at the current and developing treatment options for OSA. These include positive airway therapy (PAP), mandibular advancement device (MAD), exciting new findings in certain medications, orofacial myofunctional therapy (OMT), hypoglossal nerve stimulation therapy (HGNS), and other surgical options. We will conclude with a section reviewing the current Clinical Practice Guidelines for Diagnostic Testing in Adults with Obstructive Sleep Apnea from 2017, which strongly advises polysomnography (PSG) or home sleep apnea testing (HSAT), along with comprehensive sleep evaluation for uncomplicated patients with a clinical presentation of OSA.

Ambulatory polygraphy as a screening tool for obstructive sleep apnea in combination with semi-continuous rhythm monitoring in patients with atrial fibrillation: a pilot study

Abstract Background Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is a common, yet underdiagnosed risk factor in atrial fibrillation (AF) patients. Polysomnography (PSG) is the gold standard for OSA diagnosis but is also costly, time-consuming, and labor-intensive. (Cardio)-respiratory polygraphy (PG) offers an ambulatory screening for OSA detection. Studying the impact of OSA diagnosis and treatment on AF recurrence will require scalable tools for semi-continuous heart rhythm monitoring. Purpose The NOXFib-AF pilot study assessed the feasibility of PG as an OSA screening tool in patients with AF. The study monitored AF recurrences using a Fitbit smartwatch for heart rhythm monitoring with the FibriCheck algorithm. This pilot assessed the feasibility and patient compliance. Methods Overnight OSA testing was performed with the Noxturnal T3 (NOX-T3s) PG device used at home by AF patients, followed by four weeks of heart rhythm monitoring. Both semi-continuous monitoring with the Fitbit Versa 2 smartwatch with FibriCheck algorithm, and spot-check measurements on a smartphone (twice daily and in case of symptoms) were used. Patients with OSA suspicion on PG (Apnea-Hypopnea Index (AHI) cut-off ≥ 11.1 based on previous studies) were referred for PSG confirmation. Patient satisfaction with the PG and Fitbit smartwatch was evaluated through questionnaires. Results Thirty symptomatic AF patients underwent an overnight PG-based OSA screening, achieving an overall success rate of 96.7% (29/30). Interim analysis of 19 patients who underwent PSG evaluation upon referral showed that 12 (63.2%) were correctly diagnosed with at least moderate OSA (i.e., AHI ≥ 15) and were eligible for reimbursed CPAP treatment. PG and PSG agreement for OSA classification was fair (Cohen’s kappa = 0.230), with 68.4% (13/19) correctly classified (normal-mild, moderate-severe). There was high patient adherence to wearing the smartwatch for four weeks, with median compliance (i.e., adherence to the expected number of measurements) of 96.9% (IQR: 94.3% – 97.6%). A median of 150 (IQR: 145 – 151) daily automatic measurements were performed. Spot-check measurements via the smartphone also showed high compliance (110%, IQR: 100.0% – 135.5%) and high patient motivation (i.e., consistency of performing measurements; 90.3%, IQR: 67.7% – 96.8%). Patients were positive for both PG screening (Figure 1A) and Fitbit-based FibriCheck monitoring (Figure 1B). Conclusions PG is a feasible approach as a home screening tool for OSA, positively perceived by patients. Also, the acceptance of semi-continuous Fitbit-based FibriCheck monitoring was high. In a follow-up study, both tools will be used to evaluate the impact of a structured OSA screening and treatment trajectory on AF burden.

Strategies to address common sleep disorders among middle-aged and older adults

Abstract Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is an underdiagnosed and prevalent condition in middle-aged and older adults, with a disproportionate burden of OSA in marginalized populations. Lack of appropriate and timely treatment puts many at risk of poor quality of life, comorbidity, motor vehicle crashes and increased health care utilization. Furthermore, social and environmental disparities were acknowledged as contributing to sleep health disparities, OSA health literacy and adherence to OSA treatment. This presentation will overview the social and environmental determinants of OSA prevalence and management. The presenter will also cover strategies to improve access and waiting time for OSA diagnosis and treatment in middle-aged and older adults, such as screening for OSA in general and marginalized populations, alternative at-home OSA detection solutions, involvement of alternative care providers in OSA care, alternative OSA targeted therapies, including accessible self-administered interventions, health equity interventions targeting OSA, and promotion of sleep-centered lifestyle approaches, including weight loss, diet and exercise.