The association of obstructive sleep apnea and left ventricular hypertrophy in obese and overweight children with history of elevated blood pressure

Obesity is a potent cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk factor and is associated with left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH). Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is common among individuals with obesity and is also associated with CVD risk. The authors sought to determine the association of OSA, a modifiable CVD risk factor, with LVH among overweight/obese youth with elevated blood pressure (EBP). This was a cross‐sectional analysis of the baseline visit of 61 consecutive overweight/obese children with history of EBP who were evaluated in a pediatric obesity hypertension clinic. OSA was defined via sleep study or validated questionnaire. Children with and without OSA were compared using Fisher's exact tests, Student's t tests, and Wilcoxon rank sum test. Multivariable logistic regression evaluated the association between OSA and LVH. In this cohort, 71.7% of the children had LVH. Children with OSA were more likely to have LVH (85.7% vs 59.4%, P = 0.047). OSA was associated with 4.11 times greater odds of LVH (95% CI 1.15, 14.65; P = 0.030), remaining significant after adjustment for age, sex, race, and BMI z‐score (after adjustment for hypertension, P = 0.051). A severe obstructive apnea‐hypopnea index (AHI >10) was associated with 14 times greater odds of LVH (95% CI 1.14, 172.64, P = 0.039). OSA was significantly associated with LVH among overweight/obese youth with EBP, even after adjustment for age, sex, race, and BMI z‐score. Those with the most severe OSA (AHI >10) had the greatest risk for LVH. Future studies exploring the impact of OSA treatment on CVD risk in children are needed.     

The interaction between hypertension and obstructive sleep apnea on subjective daytime sleepiness

Hypertension is one of the most common chronic cardiovascular diseases in adults while obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is the most common type of sleep apnea. It was recently reported that the mean Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS) score, measuring subjective daytime sleepiness, was significantly higher in non‐hypertensive subjects than the hypertensive counterparts with moderate to severe obstructive sleep apnea. In the current study, the authors investigated the interaction between hypertension and OSA on daytime sleepiness among 280 subjects recruited from a sleep study. OSA was evaluated with the Apnea‐Hypopnea Index (AHI), and daytime sleepiness was measured with the ESS. Significantly higher mean ESS scores were found for subjects without than those with hypertension (11.3 vs 9.4, P = 0.003) but only a marginally significant difference was discerned for the ESS scores between subjects with AHI ≥15/h and AHI <15/h (P = 0.075). A significant interaction between hypertension and OSA status on daytime sleepiness was observed from the analysis of variance (P = 0.02). The adjusted mean ESS score for the group of normotensive subjects with moderate to severe OSA (13.11) was significantly higher than the other three groups, namely, normotensive subjects with mild OSA (9.35), hypertensive subjects with mild OSA (9.70), and hypertensive subjects with moderate to severe OSA to (9.43). In conclusion, subjective daytime sleepiness of normotensive subjects with moderate to severe OSA was significantly more severe than other subjects.     

Weight loss and lifestyle interventions for obstructive sleep apnoea in adults: Systematic review and meta‐analysis

Lifestyle interventions addressing diet, exercise‐training, sleep hygiene, and/or tobacco/alcohol cessation are recommended in the management of obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA). Yet their effectiveness on this condition still requires further research. This systematic review and meta‐analysis was aimed at establishing (a) the effectiveness of lifestyle interventions on apnoea‐hypopnoea index (AHI), oxygen desaturation index (ODI), excessive daytime sleepiness (EDS), and secondary OSA measures among adults, and (b) which intervention characteristics may drive the greatest improvements. A systematic search of studies was conducted using CINAHL, ProQuest, Psicodoc, Scopus, and Web of Science, from inception to April 2018. Standardized mean differences were calculated using the inverse variance method and random‐effects models. The meta‐analyses of 13 randomized controlled trials and 22 uncontrolled before‐and‐after studies (1420 participants) revealed significant reductions on AHI (d = ?0.61 and ?0.46, respectively), ODI (d = ?0.61 and ?0.46) and EDS (d = ?0.41 and ?0.49). Secondary OSA outcomes were also improved after interventions. However, effectiveness of interventions differed depending on their components, OSA severity, and gender. Thus, until future research further supports the differential effectiveness among lifestyle interventions on OSA, those addressing weight loss through diet and exercise‐training may be the most effective treatments for male patients with moderate‐severe OSA.     

The minimum period of polysomnography required to confirm a diagnosis of severe obstructive sleep apnoea

Background and objective: To combine the diagnosis of OSA with titration of positive airway pressure (PAP), current guidelines recommend that split‐night polysomnography (PSG) be performed if an AHI of ≥40/h is recorded over 2 h. However, the diagnostic validity of partial‐night PSG is uncertain. This study aimed to test the validity of partial‐night PSG and to determine the optimum AHI cut‐off points. Methods: Patients who visited the sleep centre at a tertiary medical centre between January and December 2008, for symptoms related to sleep disorders (sleepiness, snoring, sleep disturbance), and who completed full‐night PSG, were evaluated for this study. Full‐night PSG data were processed to obtain partial‐night PSG data, from which AHI were computed as a reference for diagnosing severe OSA. Full‐night and partial‐night PSG data obtained over different recording times (expressed as x‐h PSG, where x = 1–6) were compared using receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis. The diagnostic validity of 2‐h PSG with different AHI cut‐off points (25/h to 45/h) was also calculated. Results: Data from 198 PSG recordings was processed. For 2‐h PSG, an AHI cut‐off point of 30/h gave the highest accuracy of 90.9%. Comparing areas under the ROC curves (AUC), 2‐h PSG (AUC = 0.97) was as good as 2.5‐h PSG (AUC = 0.977, P = 0.057) and 3‐h PSG (AUC = 0.978, P = 0.125), but was better than 1.5‐h PSG (AUC = 0.955, P = 0.016). Conclusions: Partial‐night PSG is effective for diagnosing severe OSA. If there is an unabridged PSG recording indicating an AHI of ≥30/h for 2 h, severe OSA can be diagnosed and PAP titration initiated.     

Association of obstructive sleep apnea with arterial stiffness and nondipping blood pressure in patients with hypertension

Whether sex influences the association of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) with markers of cardiovascular risk in patients with hypertension is unknown. In this study, 95 hypertensive participants underwent carotid‐femoral pulse wave velocity, 24‐hour ambulatory blood pressure monitoring, echocardiogram, and polysomnography after a 30‐day standardized treatment with hydrochlorothiazide plus enalapril or losartan. OSA was present in 52 patients. Compared with non‐OSA patients, pulse wave velocity values were higher in the OSA group (men: 11.1±2.2 vs 12.7±2.4 m/s, P=.04; women: 11.8±2.4 vs 13.2±2.2 m/s, P=.03). The proportion of diastolic dysfunction was significant in men and women with OSA. Compared with non‐OSA patients, nondipping systolic blood pressure in OSA was higher in men (14.3% vs 46.4%) and in women (41.4% vs 65.2%). OSA was independently associated with pulse wave velocity (β=1.050; P=.025) and nondipping systolic blood pressure (odds ratio, 3.03; 95% confidence interval, 1.08–8.55; P=.035) in the regression analysis. In conclusion, OSA is independently associated with arterial stiffness and nondipping blood pressure in patients with hypertension regardless of sex.     

Complement Factor H as a potential atherogenic marker in chronic Chagas’ disease

We aimed to investigate the association between plasma levels of complement Factor H (FH) with cardiac involvement, inflammatory and cardiometabolic parameters in patients with chronic Chagas’ disease (CD). FH plasmatic levels were determined in 80 chronic CD patients. Glycaemic index, lipidogram (high‐density lipoprotein cholesterol HDL‐C, low‐density lipoprotein cholesterol LDL‐C, triglycerides and total cholesterol) and Ultrasensitive C‐Reactive Protein (uCRP) values were obtained from medical records. Height, weight, body mass index (BMI) blood pressure and left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) were obtained from echocardiography examinations. Comparisons between chronic CD clinical forms were performed using Mann‐Whitney test and correlation Spearman’s test. FH levels were correlated positively with triglycerides (P = .001, r = .39), LDL‐C (P = .009, r = .3), cholesterol (P = .02, r = .28), uCRP (P = .029, r = .31) and BMI (P = .008, r = .34); and negatively with HDL‐C (P = .03, r = ?.25) levels. Dyslipidemic patients showed higher FH levels compared to normolipidemic, although no difference for FH levels was observed between chronic CD clinical forms. Alternative pathway of complement may be a link between immune response and metabolic disorders, with important immunoregulatory role in chronic CD.     

Interrelationships among common predictors of cardiovascular diseases in patients of OSA: A large-scale observational study

Background and aimsThe apolipoprotein B/apolipoprotein A-I (ApoB/ApoA-I) and insulin resistance has been recognized as common cardiovascular diseases (CVD) risk factors. However, whether they were biomarkers for 10-year CVD risk in obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) had been rarely studied. Besides, interrelationships between the ApoB/ApoA-I, insulin resistance and OSA remain unclear.Methods and resultsA total of 4010 subjects were finally included. Anthropometric, fasting biochemical, and polysomnographic parameters were collected. 10-year Framingham CVD risk score (FRS) was calculated for each subjects. The relationships between insulin resistance, OSA risk and the ApoB/ApoA-I was evaluated through logistic regressions analysis, restricted cubic spline (RCS) analysis and mediation analysis. ApoB/ApoA-I, HOMA-IR and AHI were all risk factors for high10-year CVD risk as assessed by FRS (odds ratios (OR) = 5.365, 1.094, 1.010, respectively, all P < 0.001)). The fully adjusted OR (95% confidence intervals) for both OSA [1 (reference), 1.308 (1.027–1.665), 1.517 (1.178–1.953), and 1.803 (1.371–2.372)] and insulin resistance [1 (reference), 1.457 (1.173–1.711), 1.701 (1.369–2.113), 2.051(1.645–2.558)] increased from the first to the fourth quartiles of the ApoB/ApoA-I. The RCS mapped a nonlinear dose–effect relationship between the ApoB/ApoA-I and risk of insulin resistance and OSA. Mediation analyses showed HOMA-IR explain 9.7%, 4.7% and 10.8% of the association between apnea-hypopnea index, oxygen desaturation index, micro-arousal index and ApoB/ApoA-I, respectively.ConclusionsOur study revealed that ApoB/ApoA-I, insulin resistance and OSA were risk factors for CVD. Insulin resistance may serve as a potential mediator in OSA-related lipoprotein disorders and further increase CVD risk.     

The effects of long‐term continuous positive airway pressure on apnea–hypopnea index change following short‐term that withdrawal in patients with obstructive sleep apnea

The effect of long‐term continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) treatment on apnea–hypopnea index (AHI) after CPAP withdrawal remains unclear, especially in obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) patients screened from the population. To examine that, 1241 civil servants who participated in the annual physical examination were screened for OSA between September and December 2017. Screened OSA firstly underwent 1‐week CPAP adherence assessment. Then, patients with good CPAP adherence would be freely provided CPAP to continued treatment. All OSA patients were followed for 2 years. At study end, all OSA patients underwent home sleep testing (HST) again within 1 week of CPAP withdrawal. The effect of 2‐year CPAP treatment on OSA severity was investigated by using linear regression and multinominal logistic regression. In total, 103 OSA patients were screened, including 41 cases (39.8%) in CPAP treatment group and 62 cases (60.2%) in non‐CPAP treatment group. At 2‐year follow‐up, compared with baseline, in CPAP treatment group, following CPAP withdrawal, a significant decrease in AHI was observed in patients with severe OSA (P = 0.014); in non‐CPAP treatment group, a significant increase in AHI was observed in patients with moderate OSA (P = 0.028). After adjustment for confounding factors, multivariate linear regression showed that △AHI was negatively associated with CPAP treatment (β = −4.930, 95% confidence interval [CI] [−9.361, −0.500], P = 0.030). Multinominal logistic regression showed that the AHI of patients not treated with CPAP tended to be unchanged or worsened with the AHI improvement group as a reference (OR [odds ration] [95% CI], 4.555 [1.307, 15.875], P = 0.017; 6.536 [1.171, 36.478], P = 0.032). In conclusion, active OSA screening and long‐term CPAP intervention may improve the severity of severe OSA patients following short‐term CPAP withdrawal in the general population.     

Is the clinical presentation different between men and women admitting to the sleep laboratory?

Objectives  Sleep and sleep disorders are different in several important ways between men and women. We aimed to investigate gender differences in initial symptoms and associating medical diseases of patients admitting to our sleep clinic. Methods  Ninety-one patients, 20 women (22%) and 71 men (78%), admitting consecutively to the sleep clinic were studied. A detailed sleep and medical history of the patients was recorded. All patients were questioned for Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS) and underwent an entire night of diagnostic polysomnography. Apnea–hypopnea index (AHI) was identified as the total number of apnea and hypopnea per hour of sleep. Hypopnea was defined as a decrease of airflow by at least 50% and desaturations were defined as ≥4% decrease in oxygen saturation. Results  The mean values for age, body mass index, blood pressures and ESS score did not significantly differ between men and women, but AHI (events/h) was significantly higher in men (29.1 ± 22.7) than women (17.9 ± 17.7, p < 0.05). Snoring was the most common symptom in both men (95%) and women (90%). Among the main presenting complaints, only morning headache (12 of women 60%, 31 of men 43%, p = 0.04) and dry mouth on awakening (ten of women 50%, 57 of men 80%, p = 0.02) showed a significant difference between the two genders, while among the medical diseases only hypothyroidism (four of women 20% and three of men 4%, p = 0.03) and depression (nine of women 45% and 16 of men 22%, p = 0.02) were seen as statistically higher in women than in men. Conclusions  Primary care physicians should be aware of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) in women and the importance of referring women for sleep studies when they complain of symptoms associated with OSA, even if other non-specific symptoms such as morning headaches are reported. Also, hypothyroidism and depression are accompanied with sleep disorders especially in women.     

Therapeutic effect of laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy on obstructive sleep apnea and relationship of type 2 diabetes in Japanese patients with severe obesity

Aims/IntroductionObstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is among the most important obesity‐related diseases, and offers the potential for accelerated the early onset and progression of type 2 diabetes. The aim of the present study was to clarify the therapeutic effect of laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy on OSA in severely obese Japanese patients, and to find correlations between OSA improvements and β‐cell function (BCF).Materials and MethodsBetween September 2013 and December 2019, 61 patients who underwent laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy were enrolled. The apnea–hypopnea index (AHI) was used to diagnose OSA. The tongue area, uvula area and other parameters were measured using cone‐beam computed tomography. Regarding BCF parameters, the homeostasis model assessment of β‐cell function, insulinogenic, Matsuda and disposition indexes were used to evaluate the improvement in BCF. Improvement of OSA was defined as AHI <15.ResultsThe improvement rate of OSA was 51.8% (29/56). The change in AHI was significantly correlated with the excess weight loss percentage (ρ = 0.501), changes in tongue area (ρ = 0.350) and uvula area (ρ = 0.341). Multivariate analysis showed that preoperative AHI and postoperative hemoglobin A1c were independent prognostic factors of OSA non‐improvement. The homeostasis model assessment of β‐cell function (P < 0.001), the insulinogenic index (P < 0.001) and the disposition index (P = 0.019) of patients with AHI of <15 were significantly higher than those in patients with AHI of ≥15.ConclusionsLaparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy is a promising procedure for severely obese patients with OSA. BCF recovery was found to be significantly higher in patients with OSA improvement.     

Association of obstructive sleep apnea with cardiometabolic diseases and cardiovascular mortality

Background

Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is one of the leading respiratory disorders, increasing the risk of cardiometabolic diseases. In the study, we investigated the association between OSA and the risk of cardiometabolic diseases and all-cause and cardiovascular mortality in adults.

Methods

Participants were enrolled in the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. The baseline covariates were compared between participants with and without OSA status. Multivariable logistic regression was performed to explore the association between OSA and cardiometabolic diseases, while Cox proportional regression was performed for all-cause and cardiovascular mortality.

Results

OSA status was positively associated with higher risks of cardiometabolic diseases, including hypertension (odds ratio [OR] 1.28, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.14–1.45; p < 0.001), diabetes (OR 1.46, 95% CI 1.22–1.76; p < 0.001), and cardiovascular diseases (OR 1.29, 95% CI 1.08–1.54; p = 0.006) after adjusting for numerous covariates. However, no associations of OSA with all-cause or cardiovascular mortality were observed.

Conclusion

OSA was associated with a higher risk of hypertension, diabetes, and cardiovascular diseases, but had no significant association with all-cause or cardiovascular mortality in adults.     

Long-term burden of higher body mass index from childhood on adult cardiometabolic biomarkers: A 30-year cohort study

Background and aimsData are limited regarding the association between long-term burden of higher body mass index (BMI) from childhood and cardiometabolic biomarkers.Methods and resultsA total of 1553 individuals aged 6–15 years, who were examined 4 or more times for BMI since childhood and followed for 30 years were included in our analysis. Total area under the curve (AUCt) and incremental AUC (AUCi) were calculated as the long-term burden and trends of BMI. Cardiometabolic biomarkers including serum uric acid (SUA), fasting blood-glucose (FBG), and triglyceride to high-density lipoprotein cholesterol ratio (TG/HDL-C) were obtained from venous blood samples. The results showed a positive association of BMI AUCt and AUCi with cardiometabolic biomarkers. After adjusting for demographic variables, the AUCt and AUCi of BMI were significantly associated with a higher level of SUA (β = 3.71; 2.87), FBG (β = 0.09; 0.09), and TG/HDL-C (β = 0.14; 0.11). We performed further studies after dividing subjects into four groups according to AUCt and AUCi of BMI by quartiles. Compared with the lowest quartile group, the highest quartile group had significantly increased risk ratios of hyperuricemia (RR = 2.01; 1.74), type 2 diabetes mellitus (RR = 8.18; 3.96), and high-risk TG/HDL-C (RR = 4.05; 3.26).ConclusionOur study identifies all subjects’ BMI growth curve from childhood and indicates that the long-term burden of higher BMI significantly increases the cardiometabolic risk, and the impact of excessive body weight on cardiometabolic health originates in early life. We emphasize the importance of weight control from childhood for cardiometabolic health.     

Efficacy of continuous positive airway pressure on arrhythmias in obstructive sleep apnea patients

The purpose of this study was to determine the relationship between obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) and cardiovascular disorders in a large Japanese population, and to assess the efficacy of continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) in the treatment of OSA-associated arrhythmias. The study population comprised 1394 Japanese subjects (1086 men and 308 women) who were divided into four groups on the basis of polysomnography (PSG) analysis as follows: the no sleep apnea (N-SA) group (n = 44, apnea-hypopnea index [AHI] < 5), the mild OSA (Mi-OSA) group (n = 197, 5 < AHI < 15), the moderate OSA (Mo) group (n = 368, 15 < AHI < 30), and severe OSA (SOSA) group (n = 785, AHI < 30). The following baseline characteristics were significantly associated with OSA: age (P < 0.001), gender (P < 0.001), body mass index (P < 0.001), hypertension (P < 0.001), diabetes (P = 0.009), and hyperlipidemia (P = 0.013). In the OSA group, PSG revealed the predominance of paroxysmal atrial fibrillation (PAF) (P = 0.051), premature atrial complex short run (P < 0.005), premature ventricular complex (PVC, P = 0.004), sinus bradycardia (P = 0.036), and sinus pause (arrest >2 s, P < 0.001) during the PSG recording. A total of 316 patients from the group underwent CPAP titration and were then re-evaluated. Continuous positive airway pressure therapy significantly reduced the occurrences of PAF (P < 0.001), PVC (P = 0.016), sinus bradycardia (P = 0.001), and sinus pause (P = 0.004). The results of this study demonstrate a significant relationship between OSA and several cardiac disorders, and also demonstrate the efficacy of CPAP in preventing OSA-associated arrhythmias in a large population of Japanese patients.     

Insomnia complaints in patients evaluated for obstructive sleep apnea

Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) and insomnia are among the most common sleep diagnoses encountered in the sleep clinic population, however little is known about potential interactions or associations between the two disorders. This retrospective, cross-sectional study was designed to determine the prevalence of insomnia complaints in patients undergoing evaluation for OSA and to ascertain which clinical and polysomnographic features are associated with insomnia. Of 255 consecutive patients who underwent polysomnography for clinically suspected OSA, 54.9% reported a complaint of insomnia: 33.4% reported difficulty initiating sleep, 38.8% difficulty maintaining sleep, and 31.4% early morning awakenings. Insomnia complaints were noted more commonly in patients without significant sleep-disordered breathing [apnea hypopnea index (AHI)<10; 81.5%] vs those with sleep-disordered breathing (AHI≥10; 51.8%); p=0.01. Clinical factors associated with insomnia included female gender, psychiatric diagnoses, chronic pain, the absence of regular alcohol use, restless leg symptoms, and reports of nocturnal kicking. Polysomnographic factors associated with insomnia included lower AHI and lower desaturation index (DI). In the subgroup of patients with significant sleep-disordered breathing (AHI≥10, n=228), there was no association between insomnia complaints and AHI or DI. These results suggest that insomnia is a common complaint in patients being evaluated for OSA, but it is not strongly associated with sleep-disordered breathing and may instead reflect other coexisting factors.     

Association between sleep apnea severity and blood coagulability: treatment effects of nasal continuous positive airway pressure

A prothrombotic state may contribute to the elevated cardiovascular risk in patients with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). We investigated the relationship between apnea severity and hemostasis factors and effect of continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) treatment on hemostatic activity. We performed full overnight polysomnography in 44 OSA patients (mean age 47±10 years), yielding apnea–hypopnea index (AHI) and mean nighttime oxyhemoglobin saturation (SpO₂) as indices of apnea severity. For treatment, subjects were double-blind randomized to 2 weeks of either therapeutic CPAP (n=18), 3 l/min supplemental nocturnal oxygen (n=16) or placebo–CPAP (<1 cm H₂O) (n=10). Levels of von Willebrand factor antigen (VWF:Ag), soluble tissue factor (sTF), D-dimer, and plasminogen activator inhibitor (PAI)-1 antigen were measured in plasma pre- and posttreatment. Before treatment, PAI-1 was significantly correlated with AHI (r=0.47, p=0.001) and mean nighttime SpO₂ (r=−0.32, p=0.035), but these OSA measures were not significantly related with VWF:Ag, sTF, and D-dimer. AHI was a significant predictor of PAI-1 (R ²=0.219, standardized β=0.47, p=0.001), independent of mean nighttime SpO2, body mass index (BMI), and age. A weak time-by-treatment interaction for PAI-1 was observed (p=0.041), even after adjusting for age, BMI, pre-treatment AHI, and mean SpO₂ (p=0.046). Post hoc analyses suggested that only CPAP treatment was associated with a decrease in PAI-1 (p=0.039); there were no changes in VWF:Ag, sTF, and D-dimer associated with treatment with placebo–CPAP or with nocturnal oxygen. Apnea severity may be associated with impairment in the fibrinolytic capacity. To the extent that our sample size was limited, the observation that CPAP treatment led to a decrease in PAI-1 in OSA must be regarded as tentative.     

Mandibular advancement splint titration in obstructive sleep apnoea

Introduction  Mandibular advancement splints (MAS) allowing self-adjustment may be better tolerated, but the optimum titration protocol needs systematic study. Aim  The aims of the study are to assess the effectiveness of a titratable MAS device in consecutive patients with body mass index (BMI) < 35 kg/m² and obstructive sleep apnoea [OSA, apnoea–hypopnoea index (AHI) 10–40/h] and compare two methods of adjustment [self-adjustment or adjustment after polysomnographic (PSG) feedback]. Materials and methods  Twenty-eight patients (24 M, mean age 49 years, mean BMI 27.6 kg/m²) with symptomatic (Epworth Sleepiness score > 8/24, snoring, choking or poor sleep quality) OSA (mean AHI 25.7/h, range 10–46/h) had a MAS set at 70% maximal protrusion and were randomised to subjective self-adjustment for 6 weeks (n = 16) or objective adjustment (n = 12; fixed position for 3 weeks, then PSG based feedback at 3 weeks with self-adjustment instructions). Primary outcome variable (AHI) and OSA symptoms were compared by t tests and chi-squared tests at baseline and after 6 weeks. Resolution of apnoea was defined as AHI < 5/h; improvement was defined as AHI decreased by >50% but still >5/h. Results  The groups had similar baseline demographics, OSA severity and occlusal type. MAS therapy improved or resolved OSA in 20 out of 28 (71%) and was reportedly used nightly by 91% of the objective group and 63% of the subjective group (p = 0.04). MAS were used all night by 75% of the objective group and 69% of the subjective group (p > 0.05). MAS adjustment following PSG feedback did not lower AHI further from 3 weeks (baseline 26.5 ± 12.0/h, 3 weeks 15.3 ± 13.5/h p = 0.01, 6 weeks 11.7 ± 10.0/h, p = 0.11). The overall improvement was similar to that achieved with subjective adjustment (baseline AHI 25.4 ± 7.4/h, 6 weeks 14.3 ± 10.7/h, p = 0.0002). Symptomatic benefit was reported by both groups. Conclusion  In selected patients, titratable MAS improved or resolved OSA in the majority of patients and was well tolerated. PSG-based feedback at 3 weeks allowed objective confirmation of efficacy and increased device use but did not result in greater improvement in AHI or symptoms. Neither titration method was significantly superior for us to provide firm endorsement. However, we recommend a follow-up sleep study to confirm MAS efficacy.     

Gender differences in clinical and polysomnographic features of obstructive sleep apnea: a clinical study of 2827 patients

Purpose

Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is underdiagnosed in females due to different clinical presentation. We aimed to determine the effect of gender on clinical and polysomnographic features and identify predictors of OSA in women.

Methods

Differences in demographic, clinical, and polysomnographic parameters between 2052 male and 775 female OSA patients were compared.

Results

In female OSA patients, age (56.1 ± 9.7 vs. 50.4 ± 11.6 years, p < 0.0001) and body mass index (36.3 ± 8.6 vs. 31.8 ± 5.9 kg/m², p < 0.0001) were increased, whereas men had higher waist-to-hip ratio and neck circumference (p < 0.0001). Hypertension, diabetes mellitus, thyroid disease, and asthma were more common in females (p < 0.0001). Men reported more witnessed apnea (p < 0.0001), but nocturnal choking, morning headache, fatigue, insomnia symptoms, impaired memory, mood disturbance, reflux, nocturia, and enuresis were more frequent in women (p < 0.0001).

The indicators of OSA severity including apnea-hypopnea index (AHI) (p < 0.0001) and oxygen desaturation index (p = 0.007) were lower in women. REM AHI (p < 0.0001) was higher, and supine AHI (p < 0.0001) was lower in females. Besides, women had decreased total sleep time (p = 0.028) and sleep efficiency (p = 0.003) and increased sleep latency (p < 0.0001). In multivariate logistic regression analysis, increased REM AHI, N3 sleep, obesity, age, morning headache, and lower supine AHI were independently associated with female gender.

Conclusions

These data suggest that frequency and severity of sleep apnea is lower in female OSA patients, and they are presenting with female-specific symptoms and increased medical comorbidities. Therefore, female-specific questionnaires should be developed and used for preventing underdiagnosis of OSA.

     

Validation of Embletta portable diagnostic system for identifying patients with suspected obstructive sleep apnoea syndrome (OSAS)

Background and objectives: This study aimed to evaluate the diagnostic accuracy of Embletta portable diagnostic system (PDS, Medcare, Reykjavik, Iceland) for the screening of sleep apnoea in clinical practice. Methods: The Embletta PDS is a digital three‐channel recording device that measures airflow through a nasal cannula connected to a pressure transducer, oxygen saturation plus both respiratory and abdominal movements via built‐in effort and body position sensors. An AHI is determined based on recording time. Nocturnal polysomnography (Alice 4, Healthdyne, Atlanta, USA), with airflow measured by a nasal pressure transducer (PTAF2, Pro‐Tech, Woodinville, WA, USA)) and Embletta PDS recordings, was performed simultaneously in consecutive patients with suspected OSA syndrome. The PSG recordings were analysed manually by a blinded investigator. Results: Ninety subjects were recruited and 10 failed Embletta PDS studies due to measurement failure. Among the remaining 80 subjects, 63 were males. The mean age (SD) was 51.4 (11.9) years old, BMI 27.1(4.2) kg/m², neck circumference 38.6 (3.6) cm and Epworth Sleepiness Score 9.7 (5.3). The AHI obtained by the Embletta PDS correlated closely with that obtained by PSG (Pearson correlation, r = 0.979, P < 0.001). Comparison of AHI based on the Embletta PDS against the PSG demonstrated high sensitivity at AHI ≥ 5/h (sensitivity 0.924 and specificity 0.857) and high specificity at AHI ≥ 20/h (sensitivity 0.853 and specificity 0.957). Conclusions: The Embletta PDS is a highly sensitive and specific screening device in quantifying AHI when compared against PSG in patients with suspected OSA syndrome.     

Fruit consumption and cardiometabolic risk in the PREDIMED-plus study: A cross-sectional analysis

Background and aimsTotal fruit consumption is important for cardiovascular disease prevention, but also the variety and form in which is consumed. The aim of the study was to assess the associations between total fruit, subgroups of fruits based on their color and fruit juices consumption with different cardiometabolic parameters.Methods and resultsA total of 6633 elderly participants (aged 55–75 years) with metabolic syndrome from the PREDIMED-Plus study were included in this analysis. Fruit and fruit juice consumption was assessed using a food frequency questionnaire. Linear regression models were fitted to evaluate the association between exposure variables (total fruit, subgroups based on the color, and fruit juices) and different cardiometabolic risk factors. Individuals in the highest category of total fruit consumption (≥3 servings/d) had lower waist circumference (WC) (β = ?1.04 cm; 95%CI:-1.81, ?0.26), fasting glucose levels (β = ?2.41 mg/dL; 95%CI(-4.19, ?0.63) and LDL-cholesterol (β = ?4.11 mg/dL; 95%CI:-6.93, ?1.36), but, unexpectedly, higher systolic blood pressure (BP) (β = 1.84 mmHg; 95%CI: 0.37, 3.30) and diastolic BP (β = 1.69 mmHg; 95%CI:0.83, 2.56) when compared to those in the lowest category of consumption (<1 servings/d). Participants consuming ≥1 serving/day of total fruit juice had lower WC (β = ?0.92 cm; 95%CI:-1.56, ?0.27) and glucose levels (β = ?1.59 mg/dL; 95%CI:-2.95, ?0.23) than those consuming <1 serving/month. The associations with cardiometabolic risk factors differed according to the color of fruits.ConclusionFruit consumption is associated with several cardiometabolic risk factors in Mediterranean elders with metabolic syndrome. The associations regarding BP levels could be attributed, at least partially, to reverse causality bias inherent to the cross-sectional design of the study.     

Association of obstructive sleep apnea with endothelial function and heart remodeling in hypertension: A cross-sectional study

BackgroundThis study aims to analyze the association of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) with endothelial function and heart structure in patients with hypertension and lay a clinical foundation for preventing and treating endothelial dysfunction and heart remodeling in patients with hypertension.MethodsA cross-sectional study design was adopted in this study. From April 2020 to April 2021, 143 patients with hypertension were included and classified into two groups according to the severity of OSA: 81 patients with hypertension without OSA [apnea-hypopnea index (AHI) < 5 events/hour] serving as the control group; 62 patients with hypertension with moderate-severe OSA (AHI ≥ 15 events/hour) serving as the OSA group. The endothelial function and heart structure were assessed by flow‐mediated vasodilation (FMD) and transthoracic echocardiography. Logistic regression analyses were conducted to identify factors associated with endothelial dysfunction and heart remodeling.ResultsCompared with the control group, patients with OSA had significantly greater interventricular septal thickness (IVST) and left ventricular posterior wall thickness (LVPWT) (P < 0.05), and FMD exhibited a significant decrease (P < 0.05). Logistic regression analyses demonstrated that gender and AHI were associated with FMD (P < 0.05), and FMD was associated with LVMI (P < 0.05).ConclusionsOSA was associated with endothelial dysfunction and heart remodeling in patients with hypertension. Endothelial dysfunction may be crucial for the development of heart remodeling in patients with hypertension with OSA.