Otorhinolaryngological aspects of sleep-related breathing disorders

Snoring and obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA) are disorders within a wide spectrum of sleep-related breathing disorders (SRBD). Given the obesity epidemic, these conditions will become increasingly prevalent and continue to serve as a large economic burden. A thorough clinical evaluation and appropriate investigations will allow stratification of patients into appropriate treatment groups. A multidisciplinary team is required to manage these patients. Patient selection is critical in ensuring successful surgical and non-surgical outcomes. A wide range of options are available and further long term prospective studies, with standardised data capture and outcome goals, are required to evaluate the most appropriate techniques and long term success rates.     

The effect of modafinil following acute CPAP withdrawal: a preliminary study

Daytime symptoms resulting from obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) include impaired neurobehavioural performance and increased sleepiness. Continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) reduces these symptoms. However, even compliant users may temporarily withdraw from CPAP treatment resulting in an immediate return of OSA. It has been hypothesised that these treatment “holidays” may be associated with neurobehavioural decline. Acute administration of a wakefulness promoter during such treatment “holidays” may help maintain neurobehavioural functioning. We examined the effects of 200 mg modafinil on neurobehavioural performance in a placebo-controlled crossover trial including N = 12 OSA patients acutely removed from CPAP. Sleep–wake activity was assessed for four consecutive days on CPAP and one night off CPAP using actigraphy. During the night off, CPAP patients wore a single channel nasal airflow diagnostic device. On the morning after CPAP withdrawal, patients reported to the laboratory and were administered either modafinil (200 mg) or placebo. At 2 h post-administration, patients completed a single simulated drive of approximately 30 min with simultaneous administration of a divided attention task (STISIM™), critical flicker fusion (CFF) test and subjective sleepiness scales. After a 14-day washout, participants repeated the protocol. CPAP withdrawal was associated with a worsening of sleep efficiency and the movement and fragmentation index (MFI), compared to the on-CPAP nights (all p ≤ 0.02). Modafinil did not result in a superior driving simulator performance or CFF responses the morning after CPAP withdrawal but did result in better subjective sleepiness (both p ≤ 0.04) compared to placebo. These data do not support the use of modafinil for the maintenance of daytime functioning in patients with OSA who are acutely withdrawn from CPAP.     

无创正压通气对睡眠呼吸暂停综合征早期肾损害的疗效观察

目的观察无创正压通气(CPAP)治疗睡眠呼吸暂停综合症(OSAHS)早期肾损害敏感指标前后变化的临床意义。方法分析2013年8月至2014年10月在我院接受治疗的OSAHS早期肾损害患者(呼吸暂停低通气指数AHI≥5)的临床资料。根据是否采用CPAP治疗将入选者分成治疗组和对照组两组。比较两组患者的基线资料、治疗前后肾功能指标表达的变化及睡眠呼吸参数检查结果、ESS评分。结果本研究共纳入66例研究对象,其中治疗组和对照组各33例。两组患者的基线资料无统计学差异(P0.05)。治疗组治疗后的肾功能各指标水平明显低于对照组(P均0.05);两组患者治疗后各肾功能指标水平明显低于治疗前(P均0.05)。治疗组患者治疗前、后的睡眠呼吸参数检查结果以及ESS评分差异显著(P均0.05);且治疗后两组患者的睡眠呼吸参数检查结果以及ESS评分有统计学差异(P均0.05)。结论 CPAP治疗OSAHS早期肾损害患者的临床疗效显著,值得推广。     

Ethnicity and socioeconomic status predict initial continuous positive airway pressure compliance in New Zealand adults with obstructive sleep apnoea

Background: Understanding factors that contribute to low continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) compliance will lead to improvements in the long‐term outcome of patients with obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA) syndrome. Both cultural and socioeconomic factors are likely to be important but have not been systematically studied. Aim: To examine the effect of ethnicity and socioeconomic status on initial CPAP usage for people with OSA in New Zealand. Methods: We retrospectively collected demographic, clinical and CPAP treatment‐related data on patients undergoing a 1‐month CPAP trial for a 10‐month period. We compared objectively measured CPAP usage (by anova ) with self‐identified ethnicity; levels of socioeconomic deprivation (NZDep06 index), Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS) and Apnoea‐Hypopnoea Index (AHI). Results: A total of 214 patients with a mean age of 52.7 (±11.8) years, mean AHI 57.3 (±35.8) events per hour and mean ESS 13 (±5.58)/24 made up the cohort. CPAP usage which averaged 5.13 ± 2.34 h per night was significantly lower in patients of non‐European ethnicity (P = 0.019 univariate) and remained significant after socioeconomic status was added to the model (P = 0.048). Patients living in the most socioeconomically deprived areas showed significantly lower compliance with CPAP on univariate analysis (P = 0.024, NZDep06 scores 1&2, average 5.3 per night compared to score NZDep06 scores 9&10, average 4.3 h per night), but this effect was no longer significant once ethnicity was added to the model (P = 0.28). Conclusion: CPAP usage in New Zealand is affected by both ethnicity and level of socioeconomic deprivation. We recommend further research to unravel specific cultural and socioeconomic reasons for the variance reported.     

Autotitration positive airway pressure therapy in patients with obstructive sleep apnea who are intolerant of fixed continuous positive airway pressure

Compliance with continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) therapy is one of the most difficult management problems for patients with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). We postulated that autotitration positive airway pressure (APAP) may be effective in some patients who have an intolerance of fixed CPAP. The study was done to estimate how often patients who cannot tolerate fixed CPAP can tolerate APAP. We identified 25 patients seen in the Sleep Disorders Center who had been treated with fixed CPAP for OSA and were intolerant of CPAP therapy despite multiple efforts to improve tolerance. We substituted APAP therapy and measured subjective and objective compliance with treatment 1 month later. The primary end point was the number of patients who successfully tolerated the use of APAP at the end of 30 days, measured objectively by the device's compliance monitor. A positive outcome was defined as an average use of APAP that was greater than 3 h per night on more than 70% of possible nights. Of the 25 patients (mean age, 68 years; mean apnea-hypopnea index, 35), 11 were able to tolerate APAP therapy. The mean number of hours of use in these responders was 6.2; the mean percentage of nights of use among responders was 89%. Determinants of successful APAP use were an apnea-hypopnea index (AHI) less than 18, male sex, OSA related to rapid eye movement, and a high body mass index. APAP therapy may be an effective option in patients who do not tolerate fixed-CPAP therapy.     

持续正压通气辅助治疗高血压并发睡眠呼吸暂停综合征的临床研究

目的探讨持续正压通气辅助治疗高血压并发睡眠呼吸暂停综合征（SAS）对血压的影响。方法41例高血压并发睡眠呼吸暂停综合征病人,随机分为常规组（21例）和持续正压通气治疗组（20例）均给予常规降压药物治疗4周,治疗在常规治疗基础上加用气道持续正压通气治疗,观察两组治疗前后24 h血压变化。结果治疗组治疗后24 h平均收缩压、舒张压进一步降低,夜间收缩压及舒张压则显著降低（P〈0.01）。结论高血压并发睡眠呼吸暂停综合征病人,在常规应用降压药物同时应用持续正压通气辅助治疗血压下降更理想。     

Nocturnal pulse rate and symptomatic response in patients with obstructive sleep apnoea treated with continuous positive airway pressure for one year

Background

Obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA) is the most common form of sleep-disordered breathing and a known risk factor for cardiovascular disease. We hypothesised that in patients with OSA the characteristics of nocturnal pulse rate (PR) are associated with changes in blood pressure and daytime sleepiness, following commencement of continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) therapy.

Methods

Pulse oximetry data, demographics, daytime sleepiness and blood pressure were recorded at baseline and at one year follow up. Patients with OSA were grouped according to positive and negative changes in the PR (ΔPR) response during the first night of pulse oximetry before commencement of CPAP.

Results

A total of 115 patients (58 with OSA and 57 matched subjects without OSA) were identified and included in the analysis. The scale of improvement in daytime sleepiness could be predicted by a negative or positive ΔPR, as recorded in the initial screening pulse oximetry [ΔESS –5.8 (5.1) vs. –0.8 (7.2) points, P<0.05]. A negative correlation was observed between mean nocturnal PR and changes in systolic blood pressure (SBP) after one year of CPAP treatment (r=–0.42, P<0.05).

Conclusions

Mean nocturnal PR prior to CPAP initiation was associated with changes in SBP at one year follow up. A descending nocturnal PR in patients with OSA, prior to CPAP initiation, might help to identify a symptomatic response from long term CPAP treatment.     

阻塞性睡眠呼吸暂停低通气综合征患者血浆ET-1、NO水平的变化及nCPAP对其影响

目的　观察阻塞性睡眠呼吸暂停低通气综合征 (OSAHS)患者经鼻持续气道内正压通气 (nCPAP)治疗前后血浆ET 1、NO水平的变化 ,并探讨其临床意义。方法　选择OSAHS无EH者 (A组 ) ,OSAHS合并EH者 (B组 ) ,正常对照 (C组 ) ,三组行PSG监测。用放免法测血浆ET 1 ,NO采用硝酸还原酶法。A、B两组施以nCPAP治疗。用袖带加压法观察血压。结果　①与C组相比 ,A组AHI、ET 1 /NO增高 ,最低SaO2 下降 ,治疗后情况相反 ;A组治疗前后ET 1 /NO分别与AHI、最低SaO2 均明显相关 (r分别为 0 40 8、- 0 569)。②与C组相比 ,B组MBP、AHI、ET 1 /NO增高 ,最低SaO2 下降 ,治疗后情况相反 ;B组治疗前后MBP分别与ET 1 /NO、AHI、最低SaO2 均明显相关 ,r分别为 0 439、0 51 5、- 0 455。结论　①OSAHS可引起血压升高 ,某些血管舒缩因子比例失衡可能在OSAHS合并EH中起一定的病理作用 ;②nCPAP对治疗OSAHS合并EH及预防OSAHS高的心脑血管并发症均有益处     

高血压合并阻塞性睡眠呼吸暂停低通气综合征患者NHDL-C/apoA-1水平变化研究

目的 探讨高血压合并OSAHS患者非高密度脂蛋白/载脂蛋白A1 (NHDL-C/apoA-1)比值与OSAHS严重程度的关系及经鼻持续气道正压通气(nCPAP)干预疗效研究.方法 原发性高血压(EH) +OSAHS者82例;单纯EH组79例.2组患者分别进行多导睡眠监测(PSG)、血脂水平、NHDL-C/apoA-1等检测,观察2组患者上述指标变化;依据睡眠呼吸暂停低通气指数(AHI)将EH+OSAHS组分为轻(28例)、中(29例)、重度(25例)组,NHDL-C/apoA-1与OSAHS严重程度(AHI)对比相关分析;以及47例中重度EH+ OSAHS患者nCPAP治疗前后NHDL-C/apoA-1变化.结果 ①与单纯EH组相比,EH+ OSAHS组中最低血氧饱和度(minimumSaO2)[(71.7±5.4)％ vs (91.4±2.5)％]、高密度脂蛋白胆固醇(HDL-C)[(0.8±0.2) mmol/L vs (1.1±0.1)mmol/L]减低,血氧饱和度低于90％的时间占睡眠时间百分比(TST90％) [(27.3±1.5)％vs (0±0)％]、AHI[(45.4±8.6)次/h vs(2.0±0.3)次/h]、总胆固醇(TC)[(4.2±0.5) mmol/L vs (3.7±0.4)mmol/L]、甘油三酯(TG)[(2.5±0.8) mmol/L vs(2.0±0.4)mmol/L]、NHDL-C [(2.6±0.7) mmol/L vs (2.1±0.5)mmol/L]、NHDL-C/apoA-1 (3.2±1.2) vs (2.8±0.9)增高,差异有统计学意义(P＜0.05).②NHDL-C/apoA-1在OSAHS患者轻、中、重度3组中随着AHI指数增加,差异有统计学意义(P＜0.05).③EH+OSAH患者AHI与NHDL-C/apoA-1呈正相关(r=0.649,P=0.005).④中重度EH+ OSAHS患者nCPAP治疗前后NHDL-C/apoA-1 (2.8±1.1) vs (3.7±1.4)明显下降,差异有统计学意义(t =3.5,P＜0.05).结论 NHDLC/apoA-1与OSAHS 严重程度相关,nCPAP治疗前后NHDL-C/apoA-1明显改善,可能为EH合并OSAHS患者临床治疗的靶标评价和治疗靶点.     

Effect of compliance to continuous positive airway pressure on exacerbations,lung function and symptoms in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and obstructive sleep apnea (overlap syndrome)

Introduction

Patients with overlap syndrome (OS), that is obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), are at increased risk of acute exacerbations related to COPD (AECOPD). We assessed the effect of CPAP compliance on AECOPD, symptoms and pulmonary function in OS patients.

Methods

Consecutive OS patients underwent assessment at baseline and at 12 months under treatment with CPAP of: AECOPD and hospitalizations, COPD Assessment Test (CAT) and modified British Medical Research Council (mMRC) questionnaires, pulmonary function testing and 6-min walking test (6MWT).

Results

In total, 59 patients (54 males) with OS were followed for 12 months and divided post hoc according to CPAP compliance into: group A with good (≥4 h CPAP use/night, n = 29) and group B with poor (<4 h CPAP use/night, n = 30) CPAP compliance. At 12 months, group A showed improvements in FEV₁ (p = 0.024), total lung capacity (p = 0.024), RV/TLC (p = 0.003), 6MWT (p < 0.001) and CAT (p < 0.001). COPD exacerbations decreased in patients with good CPAP compliance from baseline to 12 months (17 before vs. 5 after, p = 0.001), but not in those with poor compliance (15 before vs. 15 after, p = 1). At multivariate regression analysis, COPD exacerbations were associated with poor CPAP compliance (β = 0.362, 95% CI: 0.075–0.649, p = 0.015).

Conclusions

When compared to poorly compliant patients, OS patients with good CPAP compliance had a lower number of AECOPD and showed improved lung function and COPD related symptoms.     

Development and Validation of the OSA-CPAP Perceived Competence Evaluation Interview

IntroductionContinuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) is one of the most common therapies for Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA). We present a brief, patient-reported outcome measure used to assess patients’ levels of adherence with CPAP treatment.MethodsA questionnaire was developed based on academic literature. We qualitatively tested a pool of 18 items. It was tested in a sample of 174 patients from the Hospital La Princesa. Next, 1021 patients from Catalonia were evaluated.Results5 items were removed. Nominal groups referred to three areas: general knowledge about OSA and its risks; CPAP treatment information and expectations; CPAP use, monitoring, and confidence with its use. The 13 retained items maintained the same meaning as the original questionnaire (r = .986; p < .001) and the three proposed dimensions detected a significant increase in general knowledge of OSA (t[173] = 8.097, p < .001); CPAP treatment information (t[173] = 15.170, p < .001); and CPAP use (t[173] = 14.642, p < .001). The final 12-item version was reliable (CRI = .793) and its internal structure was adequate (χ²[51] = 72.073; p = .027, CFI = .967, RMSEA = .020 [.000, .030]). Women had a better general knowledge of OSA (t[1,018] = 2.190, p = .029), CPAP treatment information (t[1,018] = 2.920, p = .004), and higher overall OSA-CPAP scores (t[1,018] = 3.093, p = .002). Scores were positively related to quality of life and motivation, adherence was positively related to CPAP use and monitoring, and the total score was negatively related to daytime sleepiness.ConclusionsThe interview could help clinicians prevent some dropouts by targeting patients with lower adherence. It's a tool for assessing patient adherence to CPAP and to promote strategies through education and external motivational stimuli.     

The impact of continuous positive airway pressure on heart rate variability in obstructive sleep apnea patients during sleep: A meta-analysis

Background

Heart rate variability (HRV), modulated by cardiac autonomic function, is impaired in obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). However, the effect of continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) on HRV is debated.

Fixed and autoadjusting continuous positive airway pressure treatments are not similar in reducing cardiovascular risk factors in patients with obstructive sleep apnea

BACKGROUND: A strong association between obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) and the risk for cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases has been reported. Continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) is the first-line therapy for OSA, able not only to reduce daytime sleepiness but also to improve cardiovascular and metabolic outcomes. Autoadjusting CPAP (APAP), an alternative treatment to CPAP, can reduce OSA symptoms while increasing long-term CPAP compliance without the high costs of CPAP titration. However, no data are available on the effects of APAP on cardiovascular risk factors METHODS: We performed standard full polysomnography; obtained plasma levels of glucose, insulin, and C-reactive protein (CRP); and measured systolic BP (SBP) and diastolic BP (DBP) in 31 patients with newly diagnosed, severe OSA. After standard CPAP titration, all subjects were randomized to CPAP or APAP treatment. Measurements were obtained at baseline and after 3 months of treatment. RESULTS: The two groups were similar in terms of age, sex, body mass index (BMI), and severity of OSA. SBP, DBP, heart rate (HR), homeostasis model assessment index (HOMA-IR), and CRP were similar in the two groups. After 3 months of treatment, BMI, HR, and compliance to therapy were also comparable. OSA indexes were significantly reduced in both groups. Significant reductions in SBP, DBP, and HOMA-IR were observed in the CPAP group but not in the APAP group, while CRP plasma levels were similarly reduced. CONCLUSIONS: Our results suggest that CPAP and APAP, despite significant effects on OSA indexes and symptoms, do not improve cardiovascular risk factors in the same fashion.     

Prognosis of patients with heart failure and obstructive sleep apnea treated with continuous positive airway pressure

BACKGROUND: Therapy with continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) provides several benefits for patients with heart failure (HF) complicated by obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). However, the effect on the prognosis of such patients remains unknown. Aims: To determine whether CPAP therapy and compliance affects the prognosis of HF patients with OSA. METHODS: We classified 88 patients with HF and moderate-to-severe OSA into a CPAP-treated group (n = 65) and an untreated group (n = 23), and then those treated with CPAP were further subclassified according to CPAP therapy compliance. The frequency of death and hospitalization was analyzed using multivariate analysis. RESULTS: During a mean (+/- SD) period of 25.3 +/- 15.3 months, 44.3% of the patients died or were hospitalized. Multivariate analysis showed that the risk for death and hospitalization was increased in the untreated group (hazard ratio [HR], 2.03; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.07 to 3.68; p = 0.030) and in less compliant CPAP-treated patients (HR, 4.02; 95% CI, 1.33 to 12.2; p = 0.014). CONCLUSION: Therapy with CPAP significantly reduced the risk of death and hospitalization among patients with HF and OSA. However, reduced compliance with CPAP therapy was significantly associated with an increased risk of death and hospitalization.