Profile of Patients With Obstructive Sleep Apnea: An Initial Experience in a Tertiary Health Facility.

Introduction Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is the most common sleep-related breathing disorder with increasing prevalence worldwide. The disease is, however, underdiagnosed in many resource-limited countries, especially in sub-Saharan Africa with unknown prevalence. Study aim The aim of this study was to determine the demographic and clinical characteristics, as well as measured sleep study parameters of suspected OSA patients. Methods The study was a retrospective review of the clinical characteristics and home sleep study reports of patients seen at the respiratory and sleep clinic from January 2020 to June 2022. Descriptive statistics such as means, medians, and percentages were employed to summarize the data using tables and graphs. Spearman correlation coefficient and Fisher's exact test were used to determine associations between the variables. Findings The study participants were predominantly male, and 64.7% were ≥50 years of age. Approximately 76% of the cases had moderate-to-severe OSA based on the apnea-hypopnea index (AHI) scores with a mean BMI of 38.4kg/m2 and 43.1kg/m2, respectively (p=0.013), and a mean STOP-BANG score of 5.2 and 6.2, respectively (p <0.001). There was a positive correlation between AHI scores and BMI of the patients (r=0.252, p=0.003), as well as with their STOP-BANG scores (r=0.436, p< 0.001). Oxygen desaturation index (ODI) parameters of participants also positively correlated with the AHI scores (r=0.872, p<0.001). Conclusion The proportion of patients with moderate-to-severe OSA was high. Obesity was significantly associated with AHI scores, which also positively correlated with the STOP-BANG and ODI scores. These results suggest that the burden of OSA, which is closely linked with obesity, could be underestimated in Ghana and requires epidemiological studies in the very near future to clearly define and anticipate its impact on the health economy of Ghana.

Childhood maltreatment and sleep apnea: Findings from a cross-sectional general population study.

OBJECTIVE: Cumulative evidence indicates that childhood maltreatment (CM) is associated with sleep disturbances possibly suggesting sleep apnea. However, the relation between CM and objective measures of sleep apnea as determined by polysomnography (PSG) has not yet been assessed. METHODS: Using a cross-sectional design and based on PSG measurements from N = 962 subjects from the SHIP-Trend general population study, we used linear regression models to investigate the relationship between apnea-hypopnea (AHI) and oxygen desaturation index (ODI) and Epworth sleepiness scale (ESS) metrics and the Childhood Trauma Questionnaire (CTQ). All significant models were additionally adjusted for obesity, depression, metabolic syndrome, risky health behaviors, and socioeconomic factors. RESULTS: While both AHI and ESS were positively associated with the CTQ sum score, ODI was not. Investigating the CTQ subscales, ESS was associated with emotional abuse and emotional neglect; AHI was associated with physical and sexual abuse as well as physical neglect. For both the sum score and the subscales of the CTQ, ESS effects were partially mediated by depressive symptoms, while AHI effects were mediated by obesity, risky health behaviors, and metabolic syndrome. CONCLUSION: The findings of this general population study suggest an association between CM, particularly physical neglect, and objective as well as subjective indicators of sleep apnea, which were partially mediated by depressive symptoms and obesity.

Screening practices for obstructive sleep apnea in healthy community people: a Chinese community-based study.

Background: Owing to the lack of clear guidelines, the significance of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) screening in healthy community people is unclear. This study aimed to screen for OSA in a healthy community population and provide a basis for its screening. Methods: Permanent residents from five communities in the coastal and mountainous areas of south China were selected. The screening process included demographic and sleep questionnaire surveys, and an OSA screening. To compare the prevalence and risk factors of OSA in different areas, a type IV wearable intelligent sleep monitor (WISM) was used for screening. Results: A total of 3,650 participants completed all studies, with a mean age of 53.81±12.71 years. In addition, 4,318 participants completed the OSA screening within 30 days, and the objective screening speed was 200 people per day. The recovery rate of the screening equipment was 99.37% (4,291/4,318), the screening success rate was 89.63% (3,846/4,291), and the rejection rate was 2.7% (120/4,438). The prevalence of high-risk OSA screened using the Stop-Bang questionnaire was 42.8% (1,563/3,650) and that screened using the device was 30.7% (1,119/3,650). The prevalence of OSA screened using the Stop-Bang questionnaire was higher than that screened using the device (P<0.01). Further analysis of sleep quality and daytime sleepiness showed that 47.6% (1,736/3,650) of the community population had good sleep quality and 6.6% (240/3,650) had daytime sleepiness. Age, sex, body mass index (BMI), neck circumference, and hypertension were risk factors for OSA in the community population. Conclusions: The use of objective type IV sleep detection equipment to screen a large sample population in the community in a short time is feasible. The prevalence of high-risk OSA screened using the Stop-Bang questionnaire was higher than that screened using the objective screening device.

Association between Hepatic Steatosis and Obstructive Sleep Apnea in Children and Adolescents with Obesity.

BACKGROUND: Owing to the increasing rate of pediatric obesity, its complications such as non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) have become prevalent already in childhood. We aimed to assess the relationship between these two diseases in a cohort of children with obesity. METHODS: We enrolled 153 children with obesity (mean age 10.5 ± 2.66, mean BMI 30.9 ± 5.1) showing OSA. Subjects underwent a laboratory evaluation, a cardio-respiratory polysomnography (PSG), and a liver ultrasound. RESULTS: All subjects had a clinical diagnosis of OSA based on the AHI > 1/h (mean AHI 8.0 ± 5.9; range 2.21-19.0). Of these, 69 showed hepatic steatosis (62.3% as mild, 20.3% as moderate, and 17.4% as severe degree). A strong association between ALT and apnea/hypopnea index (AHI) was observed (p = 0.0003). This association was not confirmed after adjusting for hepatic steatosis (p = 0.53). By subdividing our population according to the presence/absence of steatosis, this association was found only in the steatosis group (p = 0.009). As the severity of steatosis increased, the significance of its association with AHI compared to the absence of steatosis became progressively stronger (all p < 0.0001). CONCLUSIONS: Hepatic steatosis seems to drive the association between OSA and ALT levels, suggesting a potential pathogenic role of OSA in NAFLD.

Diagnostic Accuracy of Oxygen Desaturation Index for Sleep-Disordered Breathing in Patients With Diabetes.

Background: Polysomnography (PSG) is the gold standard for diagnosis of sleep-disordered breathing (SDB). But it is impractical to perform PSG in all patients with diabetes. The objective was to develop a clinically easy-to-use prediction model to diagnosis SDB in patients with diabetes. Methods: A total of 440 patients with diabetes were recruited and underwent overnight PSG at West China Hospital. Prediction algorithms were based on oxygen desaturation index (ODI) and other variables, including sex, age, body mass index, Epworth score, mean oxygen saturation, and total sleep time. Two phase approach was employed to derivate and validate the models. Results: ODI was strongly correlated with apnea-hypopnea index (AHI) (rs = 0.941). In the derivation phase, the single cutoff model with ODI was selected, with area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC) of 0.956 (95%CI 0.917-0.994), 0.962 (95%CI 0.943-0.981), and 0.976 (95%CI 0.956-0.996) for predicting AHI ≥5/h, ≥15/h, and ≥30/h, respectively. We identified the cutoff of ODI 5/h, 15/h, and 25/h, as having important predictive value for AHI ≥5/h, ≥15/h, and ≥30/h, respectively. In the validation phase, the AUC of ODI was 0.941 (95%CI 0.904-0.978), 0.969 (95%CI 0.969-0.991), and 0.949 (95%CI 0.915-0.983) for predicting AHI ≥5/h, ≥15/h, and ≥30/h, respectively. The sensitivity of ODI ≥5/h, ≥15/h, and ≥25/h was 92%, 90%, and 93%, respectively, while the specificity was 73%, 89%, and 85%, respectively. Conclusions: ODI is a sensitive and specific tool to predict SDB in patients with diabetes.

Association between Respiratory Sleep Indices and Cardiovascular Disease in Sleep Apnea-A Community-Based Study in Cyprus.

Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is a chronic and prevalent disorder, strongly associated with cardiovascular disease (CVD). The apnea-hypopnea index (AHI), or respiratory event index (REI), and the oxygen desaturation index (ODI) are the clinical metrics of sleep apnea in terms of diagnosis and severity. However, AHI, or REI, does not quantify OSA-related hypoxemia and poorly predicts the consequences of sleep apnea in cardiometabolic diseases. Moreover, it is unclear whether ODI correlates with CVD in OSA. Our study aimed to examine the possible associations between respiratory sleep indices and CVD in OSA, in a non-clinic-based population in Cyprus. We screened 344 subjects of a stratified, total sample of 4118 eligible responders. All participants were adults (age 18+), residing in Cyprus. Each patient answered with a detailed clinical history in terms of CVD. A type III sleep test was performed on 282 subjects (81.97%). OSA (REI ≥ 15) was diagnosed in 92 patients (32.62%, Group A). REI < 15 was observed in the remaining 190 subjects (67.37%, Group B). In OSA group A, 40 individuals (43%) reported hypertension, 17 (18.5%) arrhythmias, 10 (11%) heart failure, 9 (9.8%) ischemic heart disease and 2 (2%) previous stroke, versus 46 (24%), 21 (11%), 7 (3.7%), 12 (6.3%) and 6 (3%), in Group B, respectively. Hypertension correlated with REI (p = 0.001), ODI (p = 0.003) and mean SaO2 (p < 0.001). Arrhythmias correlated with mean SaO2 (p = 0.001) and time spent under 90% oxygen saturation (p = 0.040). Heart failure correlated with REI (p = 0.043), especially in the supine position (0.036). No statistically significant correlations were observed between ischemic heart disease or stroke and REI, ODI and mean SaO2. The pathogenesis underlying CVD in OSA is variable. According to our data, hypertension correlated with REI, ODI and mean SaO2. Arrhythmias correlated only with hypoxemia (mean SaO2), whereas heart failure correlated only with REI, especially in the supine position.

High prevalence of recurrent nocturnal desaturations in systemic AL amyloidosis: a cross-sectional pilot study.

OBJECTIVES: Cardiac involvement and/or macroglossia with soft tissue deposits are risk factors for central sleep apnoea (CSA) and obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA), and common features of systemic AL amyloidosis. Little data exist on the occurrence of sleep-disordered breathing (SDB) or recurrent nocturnal hypoxia in amyloidosis, which this study sought to investigate. METHODS: A total of 72 consecutive patients with systemic amyloidosis (mean age 69 years and mean BMI 25) were evaluated for occurrence of SDB, by overnight continuous pulse oximetry, and completed Epworth Sleepiness Score (ESS) and STOPBANG questionnaires. Patients included: AL cardiac (AL-C), AL macroglossia (AL-M), AL both (AL-CM) and transthyretin (ATTR). RESULTS: Mean overnight oxygen saturations were 93% (SD ± 2, 95% CI 87-96) with abnormal oximetry (4% oxygen desaturation index (ODI) >5/hour): AC-C 84%, AL-M 57%, AL-CM 62% and ATTR 47%. NYHA class directly correlated with a higher 4% ODI, NYHA class I vs 3, (p = 0.01). Two-thirds of patients had STOPBANG scores >3 and abnormally high ESS scores (>10) were seen in up to 30% of patients. CONCLUSION: Recurrent nocturnal hypoxaemia, suggestive of sleep-disordered breathing, is frequent in systemic AL amyloidosis. The higher incidence in cardiac amyloidosis highlights CSA and recurrent hypoxia as possible mechanisms for morbidity/mortality in these cases. A detailed polysomnography study is planned to clarify and further investigate these findings.