Oral appliance therapy for obstructive sleep apnea: a retrospective study in a psychiatric sleep clinic.

Objectives: We evaluated the continuity and effectiveness of oral appliances (OAs) for treating obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) in a psychiatric sleep clinic, specifically focusing on mild cases and those with psychiatric comorbidity. Methods: We retrospectively examined the medical records of 106 OSA patients treated with OA. Survival analysis was performed to assess the discontinuation of OA use. Clinical Global Impression-Improvement (CGI-I) scale were obtained from medical records. The apnea-hypopnea index (AHI), measured by polysomnography (PSG), and Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS) were compared between diagnosis and after post-OA treatment if a second PSG for efficacy assessment was conducted. Results: Among all 106 patients, Kaplan-Meier analysis estimated a discontinuation rate of 16.8% at 1 year. This tended to be higher for OSA patients with psychiatric comorbidity (22.7%) than those without (11.6%), though it was not statistically significant (P=0.08). The overall rate of improvement in CGI-I scale was 37.7% and was significantly lower in OSA patients with psychiatric comorbidity (25.0%) than those without (48.3%). Among the 74 patients who underwent a second PSG, AHI and ESS were significantly lower after OA treatment for the entire group and subgroups of OSA severity at diagnosis and psychiatric comorbidity, except for ESS in the moderate OSA severity subgroup. Conclusion: OA continuation was relatively good, and sleepiness was relieved by OA use, even in mild OSA patients and those with psychiatric comorbidity. However, the continuation and subjective improvement of symptoms were slightly lower in OSA patients with psychiatric comorbidity.

Altered distribution of resting periods of daily locomotor activity in patients with delayed sleep phase disorder.

Delayed sleep phase disorder (DSPD) and mood disorders have a close relationship. However, the shared mechanisms by DSPD and mood disorders have not been well-elucidated. We previously found that micro-fluctuations in human behaviors are organized by robust statistical laws (behavioral organization), where the cumulative distributions of resting and active period durations take a power-law distribution form and a stretched exponential functional form, respectively. Further, we found that the scaling exponents of resting period distributions significantly decreased in major depressive disorder (MDD). In this study, we hypothesized that DSPD had similar characteristics of the altered behavioral organization to that of MDD. Locomotor activity data were acquired for more than 1 week from 17 patients with DSPD and 17 age- and gender-matched healthy participants using actigraphy. We analyzed the cumulative distributions of resting and active period durations in locomotor activity data and subsequently derived fitting parameters of those distributions. Similar to patients with MDD, we found that resting period distributions took a power-law form over the range of 2-100 min, with significantly lower values of scaling exponents γ in patients with DSPD compared with healthy participants. The shared alteration in γ suggests the existence of similar pathophysiology between DSPD and MDD.

Efficacy of antimicrobial photodynamic therapy with Rose Bengal and blue light against cariogenic bacteria.

OBJECTIVE: We evaluated the effect of antimicrobial photodynamic therapy (a-PDT) with Rose Bengal and blue light LED on bacteria that initiate and promote dental caries. DESIGN: Colony forming units of Streptococcus mutans, Streptococcus sobrinus, Streptococcus sanguinis, and Lactobacillus salivarius under planktonic and biofilm conditions were counted after a-PDT treatment using Rose Bengal and blue light LED. In addition, cariogenic bacteria from saliva and dental plaques from ten volunteers were used for evaluation of a-PDT treatment. RESULTS: We found that a-PDT using Rose Bengal at > 10 µg/mL had antimicrobial effects on oral Gram-positive S. mutans, S. sobrinus, S. sanguinis, and L. salivarius under both planktonic and biofilm conditions. The effect was also observed for cariogenic bacteria that formed biofilms containing water-insoluble glucans, through which the bacteria are firmly attached to the tooth surface. Moreover, a-PDT led to a marked reduction in cariogenic bacteria in saliva and dental plaques. CONCLUSION: a-PDT could be a useful approach for controlling dental caries in dental surgery.

A multicenter retrospective investigation on the efficacy of perioperative oral management in cancer patients.

Patients develop a number of oral complications during cancer treatments. Oral bacteria are associated with the onset of dental focal infections and the progression of oral mucositis. Dental focal infections are frequently associated with the systemic onset of bacteremia, sepsis, and pneumonia. The degeneration of oral function with these complications may become an obstacle to cancer treatments. Although comprehensive oral management, including oral care, the removal of dental focal infections, and improvements in oral function with dentures, is conducted for cancer patients in Japan, few studies have assessed its efficacy.The aim of the present study was to investigate the incidence of dental/oral complications in cancer patients with perioperative oral managements (POMs) based on a large number of case series with a multicenter retrospective analysis.The medical records of cancer patients with POMs were retrospectively reviewed and the incidence of oral complications and efficacy of oral management were investigated.A total of 2744 cancer patients with POMs (1684 males and 1080 females, mean age 65.9 ±â€Š13.0 years) were included and investigated in the present study. Among these patients, 2097 (76.4%) started POM before the initiation of cancer treatments, with 2130 (77.6%) receiving oral care only and 391 (14.2%) being subjected to invasive treatments, such as tooth extraction. The incidence of dental focal infections during the period of cancer treatments was 8.2%. The most frequent infection was acute periodontitis, including alveolar abscesses (112 patients, 4.1%). The incidence of grade 2 and 3 oral mucositis was 2.8%. Prolonged fever was observed in 113 patients (4.1%), with 7 having dental focal infections (6.2%). These incidence rates were lower than those reported previously.Based on analyses of a large number of patients, the present results support the efficacy of oral management in cancer patients. However, further studies are needed to establish adequate oral management guidelines for cancer patients.

Utility of the sleep stage sequence preceding sleep onset REM periods for the diagnosis of narcolepsy: a study in a Japanese cohort.

BACKGROUND: The minimum narcolepsy criteria "mean sleep latency (MSL) ≤8 min and ≥2 sleep onset rapid eye movement (REM) periods (SOREMPs) on polysomnography (PSG) and the multiple sleep latency test (MSLT)," according to The International Classification of Sleep Disorders, Third Edition (ICSD-3), are not specific to narcolepsy. Recently, the characteristic sleep stage sequences preceding SOREMPs in narcolepsy have received attention, but their diagnostic utility remains unclear. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed PSG/MSLT records and chart data for 102 Japanese patients with hypersomnia and at least one SOREMP. We examined the sporadic rates of two sleep stage sequences preceding the SOREMPs-wakefulness or stage 1 to REM (W/S1→R) and stage 2 to REM (S2→R)-comparing these between patient groups with narcolepsy type 1 (N = 28), narcolepsy type 2 (N = 19), and other hypersomnia (N = 55). We also examined the utility of three simple indices using the occurrence of W/S1→R SOREMPs for distinguishing between narcolepsy and other hypersomnia in patients who satisfied the minimum narcolepsy criteria. RESULTS: W/S1→R SOREMPs were significantly more frequent in narcolepsy than in other hypersomnia, and this tendency was also observed even in the patients who satisfied the minimum narcolepsy criteria. The three indices had moderate sensitivities and specificities for distinguishing between narcolepsy and other hypersomnia in patients satisfying the minimum narcolepsy criteria. CONCLUSIONS: The W/S1→R pattern was observed significantly more frequently in narcolepsy than in other hypersomnia, suggesting it may help with differentiating narcolepsy from other hypersomnia in patients demonstrating the narcolepsy criteria, although its ability to do so may be modest.

Retrospective analysis of the incidence of neurodegenerative disorders in idiopathic rapid eye movement sleep behavior disorder: a preliminary study in Japanese patients.

OBJECTIVES: Idiopathic rapid eye movement (REM) sleep behavior disorder (iRBD) is characterized by abnormal and potentially violent behaviors during REM sleep, typically observed in older adult subjects. Previous reports have described a high risk for neurodegeneration in patients with iRBD; however, to date, no published study has analyzed an adequate number of Japanese patients. We retrospectively analyzed the incidence of neurodegenerative disorders among patients diagnosed with iRBD in our department. METHODS: The data were retrospectively collected from patients' medical records. The patients included in the study were diagnosed with iRBD using polysomnography in our department, from May 1, 2005 to November 30, 2018, with a follow-up of ≥6 months. Using the Kaplan-Meier (KM) method, we estimated the incidence of later diagnoses of neurodegenerative disorders among this cohort of patients with iRBD. RESULTS: Among 57 consecutive patients diagnosed with iRBD, 14 (24.6%) were later diagnosed with neurodegenerative disorders. Using the KM method, we estimated that the incidence was as high as 18.5% and 68.1% at 5 and 10 years, respectively. Of the 14 patients who developed neurodegenerative disorders, 12 (85.7%) had α-synucleinopathies (Parkinson's disease in eight patients, Lewy body dementia in three, Alzheimer's-type dementia in two, and multiple system atrophy in one). CONCLUSIONS: The results of this study suggest the high likelihood that iRBD may subsequently progress to neurodegenerative disorders in Japanese patients, a finding similar to those previously reported by studies performed overseas. Further studies using standardized prospective evaluation methods must be performed in Japan.

Sinus floor elevation with platelet-rich fibrin alone: A Clinical retrospective study of 1-7 years.

BACKGROUND: Several sinus floor elevation procedures for implant placement have been introduced. The present study aimed to evaluate the implants placed with Platelet-rich fibrin (PRF) alone in atrophic posterior maxillae and survival rates and the potential factors associated with implant loss. MATERIAL AND METHODS: This retrospective study evaluated 71 implants in 34 patients after 1-7 years' follow-up time. Statistical models were used to determine the implant survival and the potential factors associated with loss. RESULTS: Overall, 7 implants were lost, and the cumulative survival rate at 7 years by implant-based and patient-bases analyses were 85.5% and 85.7%, respectively. The mean residual bone height (RBH) was 4.26 mm. The implant survival rate was significantly lower at RBH < 4 mm than RBH ≥ 4 mm. CONCLUSIONS: This retrospective study showed that sinus floor elevation with PRF alone could be applied in cases of lower RBH. However, it should be carefully performed in cases of RBH < 4 mm before surgery. Key words:Platelet-rich fibrin, dental implant, sinus augmentation, retrospective study.

A Case of Non-24-Hour Sleep-Wake Rhythm Disorder Treated With a Low Dose of Ramelteon and Behavioral Education.

ABSTRACT: Non-24-hour sleep-wake rhythm disorder (N24SWD) occurs when the intrinsic circadian pacemaker does not entrain (synchronize) to the 24-hour light/dark cycle. There is currently no established treatment for sighted patients with N24SWD. To the best of our knowledge, there have been very few reports on the efficacy of ramelteon administered to sighted patients with N24SWD. We report the case of a sighted patient with N24SWD whose free-running sleep-wake pattern recorded by actigraphy was stopped after the administration of a low dose of ramelteon combined with behavioral education.

High Prevalence of Orthostatic Dysregulation among Circadian Rhythm Disorder Patients.

STUDY OBJECTIVES: Patients with circadian rhythm sleep disorders (CRSDs) often have coincidence of orthostatic dysregulation (OD). Both disorders have many common clinical features. However, the prevalence of OD in patients with CRSD has not been examined. METHODS: Thirty-eight patients with CRSD with either delayed sleep phase disorder or free-running disorder were tested for OD using the new orthostatic test, which was originally established by Tanaka et al. (< 20 years) and the Schellong test, i.e., the active standing test (≥ 20 years). RESULTS: The overall prevalence of OD in patients with CRSD was 57.9% (22/38), and prevalence of OD was 70% in patients under 20 years of age (14/20). These rates exceed the previously reported values in adolescents aged 14-15 years (15%), regarded as the age with highest OD prevalence. Prevalence was not significantly associated with CRSD severity and medications used. CONCLUSIONS: We observed a high prevalence of OD in patients with CRSD, suggesting some relationship between CRSD and OD. Large-scale case-control studies are warranted to investigate the underlying mechanisms for this comorbidity.

Wearing blue light-blocking glasses in the evening advances circadian rhythms in the patients with delayed sleep phase disorder: An open-label trial.

It has been recently discovered that blue wavelengths form the portion of the visible electromagnetic spectrum that most potently regulates circadian rhythm. We investigated the effect of blue light-blocking glasses in subjects with delayed sleep phase disorder (DSPD). This open-label trial was conducted over 4 consecutive weeks. The DSPD patients were instructed to wear blue light-blocking amber glasses from 21:00 p.m. to bedtime, every evening for 2 weeks. To ascertain the outcome of this intervention, we measured dim light melatonin onset (DLMO) and actigraphic sleep data at baseline and after the treatment. Nine consecutive DSPD patients participated in this study. Most subjects could complete the treatment with the exception of one patient who hoped for changing to drug therapy before the treatment was completed. The patients who used amber lens showed an advance of 78 min in DLMO value, although the change was not statistically significant (p = 0.145). Nevertheless, the sleep onset time measured by actigraph was advanced by 132 min after the treatment (p = 0.034). These data suggest that wearing amber lenses may be an effective and safe intervention for the patients with DSPD. These findings also warrant replication in a larger patient cohort with controlled observations.

An Open-Labeled Trial of Ramelteon in Idiopathic Rapid Eye Movement Sleep Behavior Disorder.

STUDY OBJECTIVES: Rapid eye movement (REM) sleep behavior disorder (RBD) is a parasomnia characterized by REM sleep without atonia and elaborate motor activity in association with dream mentation. The melatonin receptor agonist ramelteon has been documented as being effective in two patients with secondary RBD. However, there are no reports on ramelteon treatment for idiopathic RBD. METHODS: In an open-labeled trial, we treated 12 consecutive patients with idiopathic RBD for at least 4 w with 8 mg ramelteon given within 30 min before bedtime. RESULTS: Ramelteon treatment did not have a clear effect on REM sleep without atonia or an RBD severity scale measured by video-supported polysomnography. However, clinical assessment using a visual analog scale showed a trend toward significance and there were also definitely positive changes in some individual cases. Ramelteon was well tolerated in most patients, with minor side effects. CONCLUSIONS: Considering that ramelteon is associated with few side effects, further study may ascertain whether patients with RBD could be effectively treated by ramelteon, especially when clonazepam may not be suitable due to its side effects. COMMENTARY: A commentary on this article appears in this issue on page 643.