Association of Visual-Based Signals with Electroencephalography Patterns in Enhancing the Drowsiness Detection in Drivers with Obstructive Sleep Apnea.

Individuals with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) face increased accident risks due to excessive daytime sleepiness. PERCLOS, a recognized drowsiness detection method, encounters challenges from image quality, eyewear interference, and lighting variations, impacting its performance, and requiring validation through physiological signals. We propose visual-based scoring using adaptive thresholding for eye aspect ratio with OpenCV for face detection and Dlib for eye detection from video recordings. This technique identified 453 drowsiness (PERCLOS ≥ 0.3 || CLOSDUR ≥ 2 s) and 474 wakefulness episodes (PERCLOS < 0.3 and CLOSDUR < 2 s) among fifty OSA drivers in a 50 min driving simulation while wearing six-channel EEG electrodes. Applying discrete wavelet transform, we derived ten EEG features, correlated them with visual-based episodes using various criteria, and assessed the sensitivity of brain regions and individual EEG channels. Among these features, theta-alpha-ratio exhibited robust mapping (94.7%) with visual-based scoring, followed by delta-alpha-ratio (87.2%) and delta-theta-ratio (86.7%). Frontal area (86.4%) and channel F4 (75.4%) aligned most episodes with theta-alpha-ratio, while frontal, and occipital regions, particularly channels F4 and O2, displayed superior alignment across multiple features. Adding frontal or occipital channels could correlate all episodes with EEG patterns, reducing hardware needs. Our work could potentially enhance real-time drowsiness detection reliability and assess fitness to drive in OSA drivers.

Physiological Traits and Adherence to Sleep Apnea Therapy in Individuals with Coronary Artery Disease.

Rationale: Untreated obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is associated with adverse outcomes in patients with coronary artery disease (CAD). Continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) is the most common treatment, but despite interventions addressing established adherence determinants, CPAP use remains poor. Objectives: To determine whether physiological traits that cause OSA are associated with long-term CPAP adherence in patients with CAD. Methods: Participants in the RICCADSA (Randomized Intervention with CPAP in CAD and OSA) trial with objective CPAP adherence (h/night) over 2 years and analyzable raw polysomnography data were included (N = 249). The physiological traits-loop gain, arousal threshold (ArTH), pharyngeal collapsibility (Vpassive), and pharyngeal muscle compensation (Vcomp)-were measured by using polysomnography. Linear mixed models were used to assess the relationship between the traits and adherence. We also compared actual CPAP adherence between those with physiologically predicted "poor" adherence (lowest quartile of predicted adherence) and those with physiologically predicted "good" adherence (all others). Measurements and Main Results: The median (interquartile range) CPAP use declined from 3.2 (1.0-5.8) h/night to 3.0 (0.0-5.6) h/night over 24 months (P < 0.001). In analyses adjusted for demographics, anthropometrics, OSA characteristics, and clinical comorbidities, a lower ArTH was associated with worse CPAP adherence (0.7 h/SD of the ArTH; P = 0.021). Both high and low Vcomp were associated with lower adherence (P = 0.008). Those with predicted poor adherence exhibited markedly lower CPAP use than those with predicted good adherence for up to 2 years of follow-up (group differences of 2.0-3.2 h/night; P < 0.003 for all). Conclusions: A low ArTH, as well as a very low and high Vcomp, are associated with worse long-term CPAP adherence in patients with CAD and OSA. Physiological traits-alongside established determinants-may help predict and improve CPAP adherence. Clinical trial registered with www.clinicaltrials.gov (NCT00519597).

Reliability of the Turkish version of the European Obstructive Sleep Apnea Screening (EUROSAS) questionnaire for drivers.

PURPOSE: The European Union Driver License Committee recently developed a questionnaire as a screening tool for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) named the European Obstructive Sleep Apnea Screening (EUROSAS) questionnaire for drivers. We sought to address the reliability of the Turkish version of this questionnaire. METHODS: The EUROSAS was translated into Turkish. Using a "test-retest approach", data were collected twice with a 15-day interval among 150 participants (50 professional male drivers [PMD], 50 non-professional male drivers [NPMD], and 50 non-professional female drivers [NPFD]). The EUROSAS score ranges between 2 and 25, with scores ≥ 10 suggesting the presence of OSA. RESULTS: The median EUROSAS scores in the first test were 8.0 (interquartile range [IQR] 6.8-12.0) in PMD, 8.0 (IQR 6.0-11.0) in NPMD, and 5.0 (IQR 4.0-8.0) in NPFD (p < 0.001). Corresponding values in the retest were 9.5 (IQR 7.0-13.0), 8.0 (IQR 6.0-10.0), and 5.0 (IQR 4.0-8.0), respectively (p < 0.001). The EUROSAS score ≥ 10 was found among 34% in the first test and 50% in the retest in PMD (ns), 34% vs 24% in NPMD (ns), and 8% vs 16% in NPFD (ns). There was a positive correlation between the tests (r = 0.864, p < 0.001), and Cronbach's alpha value for the whole group was 0.477 (0.514 for PMD, 0.512 for NPMD, and 0.543 NPFD, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: The EUROSAS-Turkish version is easy to understand and is reproducible. However, the test-retest reliability level is poor among the Turkish drivers. Further validation of the questionnaire by objective sleep studies and fitness-to-drive testing is necessary.

Microfluidic Cold-Finger Device for the Investigation of Ice-Binding Proteins.

Ice-binding proteins (IBPs) bind to ice crystals and control their structure, enlargement, and melting, thereby helping their host organisms to avoid injuries associated with ice growth. IBPs are useful in applications where ice growth control is necessary, such as cryopreservation, food storage, and anti-icing. The study of an IBP's mechanism of action is limited by the technological difficulties of in situ observations of molecules at the dynamic interface between ice and water. We describe herein a new, to our knowledge, apparatus designed to generate a controlled temperature gradient in a microfluidic chip, called a microfluidic cold finger (MCF). This device allows growth of a stable ice crystal that can be easily manipulated with or without IBPs in solution. Using the MCF, we show that the fluorescence signal of IBPs conjugated to green fluorescent protein is reduced upon freezing and recovers at melting. This finding strengthens the evidence for irreversible binding of IBPs to their ligand, ice. We also used the MCF to demonstrate the basal-plane affinity of several IBPs, including a recently described IBP from Rhagium inquisitor. Use of the MCF device, along with a temperature-controlled setup, provides a relatively simple and robust technique that can be widely used for further analysis of materials at the ice/water interface.

Microfluidic experiments reveal that antifreeze proteins bound to ice crystals suffice to prevent their growth.

Antifreeze proteins (AFPs) are a subset of ice-binding proteins that control ice crystal growth. They have potential for the cryopreservation of cells, tissues, and organs, as well as for production and storage of food and protection of crops from frost. However, the detailed mechanism of action of AFPs is still unclear. Specifically, there is controversy regarding reversibility of binding of AFPs to crystal surfaces. The experimentally observed dependence of activity of AFPs on their concentration in solution appears to indicate that the binding is reversible. Here, by a series of experiments in temperature-controlled microfluidic devices, where the medium surrounding ice crystals can be exchanged, we show that the binding of hyperactive Tenebrio molitor AFP to ice crystals is practically irreversible and that surface-bound AFPs are sufficient to inhibit ice crystal growth even in solutions depleted of AFPs. These findings rule out theories of AFP activity relying on the presence of unbound protein molecules.

A Novel Approach to Quantify Microsleep in Drivers With Obstructive Sleep Apnea by Concurrent Analysis of EEG Patterns and Driving Attributes.

Accurate quantification of microsleep (MS) in drivers is crucial for preventing real-time accidents. We propose one-to-one correlation between events of high-fidelity driving simulator (DS) and corresponding brain patterns, unlike previous studies focusing general impact of MS on driving performance. Fifty professional drivers with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) participated in a 50-minute driving simulation, wearing six-channel Electroencephalography (EEG) electrodes. 970 out-of-road OOR (microsleep) events (wheel and boundary contact ≥1 s), and 1020 on-road OR (wakefulness) events (wheel and boundary disconnection ≥1 s), were recorded. Power spectrum density, computed using discrete wavelet transform, analyzed power in different frequency bands and theta/alpha ratios were calculated for each event. We classified OOR (microsleep) events with higher theta/alpha ratio compared to neighboring OR (wakefulness) episodes as true MS and those with lower ratio as false MS. Comparative analysis, focusing on frontal brain, matched 791 of 970 OOR (microsleep) events with true MS episodes, outperforming other brain regions, and suggested that some unmatched instances were due to driving performance, not sleepiness. Combining frontal channels F3 and F4 yielded increased sensitivity in detecting MS, achieving 83.7% combined mean identification rate (CMIR), surpassing individual channel's MIR, highlighting potential for further improvement with additional frontal channels. We quantified MS duration, with 95% of total episodes lasting between 1 to 15 seconds, and pioneered a robust correlation (r = 0.8913, p<0.001) between maximum drowsiness level and MS density. Validating simulator's signals with EEG patterns by establishing a direct correlation improves reliability of MS identification for assessing fitness-to-drive of OSA-afflicted adults.

Secukinumab after first-line tumor necrosis factor-alpha inhibitor therapy in psoriatic arthritis: A real-world retrospective cohort study.

Objectives: This study compared the secukinumab treatment responses and adverse effects in psoriatic arthritis patients who received secukinumab as second-line with those that received secukinumab after two or more tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) inhibitors. Patients and methods: The retrospective study included 68 psoriatic arthritis patients followed up between October 2018 and October 2021. The patients were divided into two groups according to their anti-TNF-α treatment history. Group 1 consisted of 29 patients (11 males, 18 females; mean age: 45.3±13.3 years; range, 21 to 69 years) who had previously received one anti-TNF-α agent, while Group 2 included 39 patients (18 males, 21 females; mean age: 46.4±13.0 years; range, 24 to 70 years) who had been treated with two or more anti-TNF-α agents. Treatment responses of the groups were measured and compared using the Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Disease Activity Index (BASDAI) and Visual Analog Scale (VAS). A posttreatment BASDAI score ≤4 was used as a criterion for remission. Results: The mean duration of secukinumab treatment was 16.6±12.7 months for Group 1 and 16.0±11.6 months for Group 2 (p=0.84). Both groups responded significantly to secukinumab in terms of BASDAI and VAS scores (p<0.001 and p<0.001, respectively). Group 1 had a greater decline in BASDAI and VAS scores than Group 2 (p=0.045 and p=0.032, respectively). Furthermore, the remission rate was greater in Group 1 compared to Group 2 (58% vs. 34%, p=0.03). The adverse effects of secukinumab treatment were an allergic reaction in Group 1 and one case of ulcerative colitis in Group 2. Conclusion: Second-line secukinumab treatment resulted in a greater decline in BASDAI and VAS scores. Moreover, secukinumab achieved a significantly higher rate of remission when it was used as second-line therapy after one anti-TNF-α agent.

CPAP may promote an endothelial inflammatory milieu in sleep apnoea after coronary revascularization.

BACKGROUND: Continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) has failed to reduce cardiovascular risk in obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA) in randomized trials. CPAP increases angiopoietin-2, a lung distension-responsive endothelial proinflammatory marker associated with increased cardiovascular risk. We investigated whether CPAP has unanticipated proinflammatory effects in patients with OSA and cardiovascular disease. METHODS: Patients with OSA (apnoea-hypopnea index [AHI] ≥15 events/h without excessive sleepiness) in the Randomized Intervention with CPAP in Coronary Artery Disease and OSA study were randomized to CPAP or usual care following coronary revascularization. Changes in plasma levels of biomarkers of endothelial (angiopoietin-2, Tie-2, E-selectin, vascular endothelial growth factor [VEGF-A]) and lung epithelial (soluble receptor of advanced glycation end-products [sRAGE]) function from baseline to 12-month follow-up were compared across groups and associations with cardiovascular morbidity and mortality assessed. FINDINGS: Patients with OSA (n = 189; 84% men; age 66 ± 8 years, BMI 28 ± 3.5 kg/m2, AHI 41 ± 23 events/h) and 91 patients without OSA participated. Angiopoietin-2 remained elevated whereas VEGF-A declined significantly over 12 months in the CPAP group (n = 91). In contrast, angiopoietin-2 significantly declined whereas VEGF-A remained elevated in the usual care (n = 98) and OSA-free groups. The changes in angiopoietin-2 and VEGF-A were significantly different between CPAP and usual care, whereas Tie-2, sRAGE and E-selectin were similar. Greater 12-month levels of angiopoietin-2 were associated with greater mortality. Greater CPAP levels were associated with worse cardiovascular outcomes. INTERPRETATION: Greater CPAP levels increase proinflammatory, lung distension-responsive angiopoietin-2 and reduce cardioprotective angiogenic factor VEGF-A compared to usual care, which may counteract the expected cardiovascular benefits of treating OSA. FUNDING: National Institutes of Health/National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute; Swedish Research Council; Swedish Heart-Lung Foundation; ResMed Foundation.

Superheating of ice crystals in antifreeze protein solutions.

It has been argued that for antifreeze proteins (AFPs) to stop ice crystal growth, they must irreversibly bind to the ice surface. Surface-adsorbed AFPs should also prevent ice from melting, but to date this has been demonstrated only in a qualitative manner. Here we present the first quantitative measurements of superheating of ice in AFP solutions. Superheated ice crystals were stable for hours above their equilibrium melting point, and the maximum superheating obtained was 0.44 degrees C. When melting commenced in this superheated regime, rapid melting of the crystals from a point on the surface was observed. This increase in melting temperature was more appreciable for hyperactive AFPs compared to the AFPs with moderate antifreeze activity. For each of the AFP solutions that exhibited superheating, the enhancement of the melting temperature was far smaller than the depression of the freezing temperature. The present findings clearly show that AFPs adsorb to ice surfaces as part of their mechanism of action, and this absorption leads to protection of ice against melting as well as freezing.

Validation of the Modified Berlin Questionnaire for the Diagnosis of Obstructive Sleep Apnea in Patients with a History of COVID-19 Infection.

(1) Background: The Berlin questionnaire (BQ) is a widely used survey to predict obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). Considering the confounding effect of obesity and hypertension on the clinical course of COVID-19, we have recently developed a modified BQ (mBQ) based on the subscales snoring intensity/frequency, witnessed apneas and morning/daytime tiredness, and demonstrated that patients with high-risk OSA had worse outcomes during the COVID-19 pandemic. In the current study, we aimed to validate the mBQ in adults with a history of COVID-19 infection. (2) Method: All cases who suffered from COVID-19 infection between 10 March and 22 June 2020, and who completed the mBQ in our first study, were invited to participate. Participants refilled the questionnaires, and an attended polysomnography (PSG) was conducted. An apnea-hypopnea index (AHI) of 15 events/h or more was considered as OSA. (3) Results: Out of the 70 participants, 27 (39%) were categorized as having a high risk of OSA based on the mBQ. According to the PSG results, 24 patients with high-risk OSA (89%) and 3 patients with low-risk OSA on the mBQ (7%) had AHI ≥ 15 events/h. The mBQ had a sensitivity of 89%, a specificity of 93%, a positive predictive value of 89%, a negative predictive value of 93%, and an accuracy of 91%. The area under the curve was 0.91 confirming a very good performance of the mBQ in screening for OSA. (4) Conclusions: The mBQ has a good level of diagnostic sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy among adults with a history of COVID-19 infection. Since the confounding effects of obesity and hypertension are eliminated, the mBQ may be used not only as a screening tool for high-risk OSA but also as a prognostic survey in clinical cohorts.

Current Smoking Determines the Levels of Circulating MPO and MMP-9 in Adults with Coronary Artery Disease and Obstructive Sleep Apnea.

(1) Background: Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is common in patients with coronary artery disease (CAD), in which a rupture of atherosclerotic plaques and oxidative stress play a role in the initiation and progression of the disorder. Circulating levels of myeloperoxidase (MPO), as an oxidative stress marker, as well as matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9), as a destabilizer of plaques, are known to be elevated in patients with CAD and are associated with worse prognosis. Some studies have suggested that OSA is associated with MPO and MMP-9, but the effect of OSA on these biomarkers in cardiac cohorts is unknown. (2) Aims: We addressed the determinants of high MPO and MMP-9 in a CAD cohort with concomitant OSA. (3) Materials and Methods: The current study was a secondary analysis of the RICCADSA trial that was conducted in Sweden between 2005 and 2013. A total of 502 revascularized CAD patients with OSA (apnea-hypopnea index [AHI] ≥ 15 events/h; n = 391) or no-OSA (AHI < 5 events/h; n = 101), based on a home sleep apnea test, and who had blood samples at baseline were included in the analysis. The patients were dichotomized into a high or low MPO and MMP-9 groups, based on the median cut-off values. (4) Results: The mean age of the participants was 63.9 (±8.6), and 84% of the study cohort were men. Median values of MPO and MMP-9 levels were 116 ng/mL and 269 ng/mL, respectively. In different multivariate linear and logistic regression models, neither OSA nor OSA severity in terms of AHI and oxygenation indices were associated with the high MPO and MMP-9 levels. Current smoking was significantly associated with both high MPO (odds ratio [OR] 1.73, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.06-2.84; p = 0.030) and high MMP-9 levels (OR 2.41, 95% CI 1.44-4.03; p < 0.001), respectively. Other significant determinants were revealed as beta blocker use (OR 1.81, 95% CI 1.04-3.16; p = 0.036) for high MPO as well as male sex (OR 2.07, 95% CI 1.23-3.50; p = 0.006) and calcium antagonist use (OR 1.91, 95% CI 1.18-3.09; p = 0.008) for high MMP-9 levels. (5) Conclusions: Current smoking, but not OSA, was significantly associated with high MPO and MMP-9 levels in this revascularized CAD cohort. Smoking status should be seriously taken into consideration while evaluating the effects of OSA and its treatment on long-term adverse cardiovascular outcomes in adults with CAD.

The Diagnostic Utility of Artificial Intelligence-Guided Computed Tomography-Based Severity Scores for Predicting Short-Term Clinical Outcomes in Adults with COVID-19 Pneumonia.

Chest computed tomography (CT) imaging with the use of an artificial intelligence (AI) analysis program has been helpful for the rapid evaluation of large numbers of patients during the COVID-19 pandemic. We have previously demonstrated that adults with COVID-19 infection with high-risk obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) have poorer clinical outcomes than COVID-19 patients with low-risk OSA. In the current secondary analysis, we evaluated the association of AI-guided CT-based severity scores (SSs) with short-term outcomes in the same cohort. In total, 221 patients (mean age of 52.6 ± 15.6 years, 59% men) with eligible chest CT images from March to May 2020 were included. The AI program scanned the CT images in 3D, and the algorithm measured volumes of lobes and lungs as well as high-opacity areas, including ground glass and consolidation. An SS was defined as the ratio of the volume of high-opacity areas to that of the total lung volume. The primary outcome was the need for supplemental oxygen and hospitalization over 28 days. A receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis of the association between an SS and the need for supplemental oxygen revealed a cut-off score of 2.65 on the CT images, with a sensitivity of 81% and a specificity of 56%. In a multivariate logistic regression model, an SS > 2.65 predicted the need for supplemental oxygen, with an odds ratio (OR) of 3.98 (95% confidence interval (CI) 1.80-8.79; p < 0.001), and hospitalization, with an OR of 2.40 (95% CI 1.23-4.71; p = 0.011), adjusted for age, sex, body mass index, diabetes, hypertension, and coronary artery disease. We conclude that AI-guided CT-based SSs can be used for predicting the need for supplemental oxygen and hospitalization in patients with COVID-19 pneumonia.

Association of TNF-α (-308G/A) Gene Polymorphism with Changes in Circulating TNF-α Levels in Response to CPAP Treatment in Adults with Coronary Artery Disease and Obstructive Sleep Apnea.

RATIONALE: We recently demonstrated that patients with coronary artery disease (CAD) and obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) carrying the tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) A allele had increased circulating TNF-α levels compared with the ones carrying the TNF-α G allele. In the current study, we addressed the effect of TNF-α (-308G/A) gene polymorphism on circulating TNF-α levels following continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) therapy. METHODS: This study was a secondary analysis of the RICCADSA trial (NCT00519597) conducted in Sweden. CAD patients with OSA (apnea-hypopnea index) of ≥15 events/h and an Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS) score of <10 were randomized to CPAP or no-CPAP groups, and OSA patients with an ESS score of ≥10 were offered CPAP treatment. Blood samples were obtained at baseline and 12-month follow-up visits. TNF-α was measured by immunoassay (Luminex, R&D Systems). Genotyping of TNF-α-308G/A (single nucleotide polymorphism Rs1800629) was performed by polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism. RESULTS: In all, 239 participants (206 men and 33 women; mean age 64.9 (SD 7.7) years) with polymorphism data and circulating levels of TNF-α at baseline and 1-year follow-up visits were included. The median circulating TNF-α values fell in both groups between baseline and 12 months with no significant within- or between-group differences. In a multivariate linear regression model, a significant change in circulating TNF-α levels from baseline across the genotypes from GA to GA and GA to AA (standardized ß-coefficient -0.129, 95% confidence interval (CI) -1.82; -0.12; p = 0.025) was observed in the entire cohort. The association was more pronounced among the individuals who were using the device for at least 4 h/night (n = 86; standardized ß-coefficient -2.979 (95% CI -6.11; -1.21); p = 0.004)), whereas no significant association was found among the patients who were non-adherent or randomized to no-CPAP. The participants carrying the TNF-α A allele were less responsive to CPAP treatment regarding the decline in circulating TNF-α despite CPAP adherence (standardized ß-coefficient -0.212, (95% CI -5.66; -1.01); p = 0.005). CONCLUSIONS: Our results suggest that TNF-α (-308G/A) gene polymorphism is associated with changes in circulating TNF-α levels in response to CPAP treatment in adults with CAD and OSA.

The power of mechanical ventilation may predict mortality in critically ill patients.

BACKGROUND: Mechanical power (MP) is the amount of energy transferred from the ventilator to the patient within a unit of time. It has been emphasized in ventilation-induced lung injury (VILI) and mortality. However, its measurement and use in clinical practice are challenging. "Electronic recording systems (ERS)" using mechanical ventilation parameters provided by the ventilator can be helpful to measure and record the MP. The MP (J/minutes) formula is 0.098 x tidal volume x respiratory rate x (Ppeak - ½ ∆P), in which ∆P is the driving pressure and Ppeak is the peak pressure. We aimed to define the association between MP values and ICU mortality, mechanical ventilation days, and intensive care unit length of stay (ICU-LOS). The secondary outcome was to determine the most potent or essential component of power in the equation that has a role in mortality. METHODS: This retrospective study was performed in two centers (VKV American Hospital and Bakirköy Sadi Konuk Hospital ICUs) that used ERS (Metavision IMDsoft) between 2014 and 2018. We uploaded the power formula (MP (J/minutes)=0.098×VT×RR×(Ppeak - ½ ∆P) to ERS (METAvision, iMDsoft, and Consult Orion Health) and calculated the MP value by using MV parameters automatically sent from the ventilator. (∆P; driving pressure, VT; tidal volume, RR; respiratory rate and Ppeak; peak pressure). RESULTS: A total of 3042 patients were included in the study. The median value of MP was 11.3 J/min. Mortality in MP<11.3 J/min was 35.4%, and 49.1% in MP>11.3J/min.; P<0.001. Mechanical ventilation days and ICU-LOS were also statistically longer in the MVP>11.3 J/min group. CONCLUSIONS: The first 24 h MP maybe a predictive value for the ICU patients' prognosis. This implies that MP may be used as a decision-making system to define the clinical approach and as a scoring system to predict patient prognosis.

When to start secukinumab treatment in patients with axial spondyloarthropathy: Before or after anti-TNFα treatment?

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of secukinumab (SEC) in axial spondyloarthropathy (axSpA) in anti-TNFα naïve and anti-TNFα experienced patients. It also focused on the duration of SEC treatment and its side effects. PATIENTS AND METHODS: The patients with axSpA treated with SEC and followed up in our outpatient clinic from May 2018 through October 2021 were included in this study. All patients in the study also fulfilled the ASAS classification criteria for axSpA. Patients were separated into two groups according to whether they received prior anti-TNFα therapy. While anti-TNFα naïve patients comprised group 1, anti-TNFα experienced patients were included in group 2. Pre- and post-treatment BASDAI scores were reported and compared. RESULTS: Eighty-four axSpA patients (42 men; duration of the disease: 86.86±65.35 months in group 1 and 160.65±97.4 months in group 2) were treated with SEC. 45.5% of anti-TNFα naïve patients and 56.5% of anti-TNFα experienced patients were still on SEC therapy in October 2021. Duration of SEC treatment was 12.5±7.9 months in group 1 and 17.19±12 months in group 2 (p=0.098). The differences between pre-and post-treatment BASDAI scores were statistically significant in both groups (p<0.001). While patients in group 1 did not develop any adverse effects, three patients in group 2 experienced alopecia, uveitis, and recurrent pneumonia after SEC treatment. CONCLUSION: Our study's efficacy and safety data on the use of SEC were reassuring in both anti-TNFα naïve and anti-TNFα experienced patients. However, further studies are still needed to determine the appropriate timing to begin SEC treatment.

Cardiovascular Outcomes in Adults with Coronary Artery Disease and Obstructive Sleep Apnea with versus without Excessive Daytime Sleepiness in the RICCADSA Cinical Trial.

Rationale: Recent randomized controlled trials did not show cardiovascular benefits of continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) in adults with coronary artery disease (CAD) and obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) in intention-to-treat analyses. It has been argued that exclusion of patients with OSA with excessive daytime sleepiness (EDS), who may be most likely to benefit from CPAP treatment, may be a reason for the null results. Objectives: We addressed 1) the effect of concomitant EDS on adverse outcomes in patients with CAD and OSA; and 2) whether the cardiovascular benefit of CPAP adherence differs between individuals with versus without EDS. Methods: This was a secondary analysis of the RICCADSA (Randomized Intervention with CPAP in CAD and Obstructive Sleep Apnea) trial, conducted in Sweden between 2005 and 2013. Data were analyzed from 155 patients with CAD with OSA (apnea-hypopnea index ⩾ 15/h) and EDS (Epworth Sleepiness Scale score ⩾ 10), who were allocated to CPAP and 244 patients without EDS (ESS < 10), who were randomized to CPAP or no CPAP. Patients who were allocated to no CPAP or were nonadherent (CPAP usage < 4 h/night) were compared with adherent patients (CPAP usage ⩾ 4 h/night) at 1-year follow-up. Inverse probability of treatment weighting was applied to mimic randomization of EDS. The primary endpoint was the first event of repeat revascularization, myocardial infarction, stroke, or cardiovascular mortality. Results: The median follow-up was 52.2 months. The incidence of the primary endpoint did not differ significantly between the EDS versus no-EDS groups in the entire cohort. Within the adherent group, patients without EDS had a significantly decreased risk compared with patients with EDS (adjusted hazard ratio, 0.41; 95% confidence interval, 0.20-0.85; P = 0.02). Conclusions: Adverse cardiovascular outcomes did not differ by degrees of EDS for patients with CAD with OSA who were untreated or nonadherent to treatment. CPAP use, at least 4 h/night, was associated with reduced adverse outcomes in participants without EDS. Clinical trial registered with www.clinicaltrials.gov (NCT00519597).

Obstructive sleep apnea severity and prevalent atrial fibrillation in a sleep clinic cohort with versus without excessive daytime sleepiness.

BACKGROUND: Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is associated with atrial fibrillation (AF) in cardiac cohorts. Less is known regarding the magnitude of this association in a sleep clinic cohort with vs. without excessive daytime sleepiness (EDS). OBJECTIVES: To explore the association of OSA severity with AF in a sleep clinic cohort stratified by EDS. PATIENTS AND METHODS: All consecutive adults (n = 3814) admitted to the Skaraborg Hospital, Sweden between Jan 2005 and December 2011 were registered in a local database, and the follow-up ended in December 2018. OSA was defined as an apnea-hypopnea index (AHI) ≥5 events/h. Mild OSA was defined as AHI ≥5 & AHI<15 events/h; moderate OSA as AHI ≥15 & AHI<30 events/h; and severe OSA as AHI ≥30 events/h. EDS was defined as an Epworth Sleepiness Scale score ≥11. We conducted cross-sectional analyzes of the prevalent AF across the OSA severity categories and logistic regression analyzes stratified by EDS. RESULTS: In all, 202 patients (5.3%) had AF at baseline, 1.6% in no-OSA, 3.9% in mild OSA, 5.2% in moderate OSA, and 7.6% in severe OSA, respectively (p < 0.001). The stratified analyzes revealed that patients with severe OSA without EDS had an increased risk for prevalent AF (OR 2.54, 95% CI 1.05-6.16; p = 0.039) independent of the confounding factors. CONCLUSIONS: There was an independent dose-response relationship between OSA and prevalent AF among the non-sleepy phenotype in this sleep clinic cohort. Since adherence to OSA treatment is challenging in the absence of EDS, these patients may have increased risk for adverse cardiovascular outcomes.

Statins Restore Endothelial Protection against Complement Activity in Obstructive Sleep Apnea: A Randomized Clinical Trial.

Rationale: Increased cardiovascular risk in obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) persists after continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) and alternative therapies are needed. Impaired endothelial protection against complement is a cholesterol-dependent process that initiates endothelial inflammation in OSA, which increases cardiovascular risk. Objectives: To investigate directly whether lowering cholesterol improves endothelial protection against complement and its proinflammatory effects in OSA. Methods: Newly diagnosed patients with OSA (n = 87) and OSA-free controls (n = 32) participated. Endothelial cells and blood were collected at baseline, after 4 weeks of CPAP therapy, and again after 4 weeks of 10 mg atorvastatin versus placebo using a randomized, double-blind, parallel-group design. Primary outcome was the proportion of a complement inhibitor, CD59, on the endothelial cell plasma membrane in OSA patients after 4 weeks of statins versus placebo. Secondary outcomes were complement deposition on endothelial cells and circulating levels of its downstream proinflammatory factor, angiopoietin-2, after statins versus placebo. Results: Baseline expression of CD59 was lower, whereas complement deposition on endothelial cells and levels of angiopoietin-2 were greater, in patients with OSA compared with controls. CPAP did not affect expression of CD59 or complement deposition on endothelial cells in patients with OSA, regardless of adherence. Compared with placebo, statins increased expression of endothelial complement protector CD59 and lowered complement deposition in patients with OSA. Good CPAP adherence was associated with increased angiopoietin-2 levels, which was reversed by statins. Conclusions: Statins restore endothelial protection against complement and reduce its downstream proinflammatory effects, suggesting a potential approach to reduce residual cardiovascular risk after CPAP in patients with OSA. Clinical trial registered with www.clinicaltrials.gov (NCT03122639).

CPAP Intervention as an Add-On Treatment to Lipid-Lowering Medication in Coronary Artery Disease Patients with Obstructive Sleep Apnea in the RICCADSA Trial.

Dyslipidaemia is a well-known risk factor for coronary artery disease (CAD), and reducing lipid levels is essential for secondary prevention in management of these high-risk individuals. Dyslipidaemia is common also in patients with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). Continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) is the first line treatment of OSA. However, evidence of a possible lipid-lowering effect of CPAP in CAD patients with OSA is scarce. We addressed the effect of CPAP as an add-on treatment to lipid-lowering medication in a CAD cohort with concomitant OSA. This study was a secondary analysis of the RICCADSA trial (Trial Registry: ClinicalTrials.gov; No: NCT00519597), that was conducted in Sweden between 2005 and 2013. In total, 244 revascularized CAD patients with nonsleepy OSA (apnea-hypopnea index ≥ 15/h, Epworth Sleepiness Scale score < 10) were randomly assigned to CPAP or no-CPAP. Circulating triglycerides (TG), total cholesterol (TC), high-density lipoprotein (HDL) and low-density lipoprotein (LDL) levels (all in mg/dL) were measured at baseline and 12 months after randomization. The desired TG levels were defined as circulating TG < 150 mg/dL, and LDL levels were targeted as <70 mg/dL according to the recent guidelines of the European Cardiology Society and the European Atherosclerosis Society. A total of 196 patients with available blood samples at baseline and 12-month follow-up were included (94 randomized to CPAP, 102 to no-CPAP). We found no significant between-group differences in circulating levels of TG, TC, HDL and LDL at baseline and after 12 months as well as in the amount of change from baseline. However, there was a significant decline regarding the proportion of patients with the desired TG levels from 87.2% to 77.2% in the CPAP group (p = 0.022), whereas there was an increase from 84.3% to 88.2% in the no-CPAP group (n.s.). The desired LDL levels remained low after 12 months in both groups (15.1% vs. 17.2% in CPAP group, and 20.8% vs. 18.8% in no-CPAP group; n.s.). In a multiple linear regression model, the increase in the TG levels was predicted by the increase in body-mass-index (ß = 4.1; 95% confidence interval (1.0-7.1); p = 0.009) adjusted for age, sex and CPAP usage (hours/night). CPAP had no lipid-lowering effect in this revascularized cohort with OSA. An increase in body-mass-index predicted the increase in TG levels after 12 months, suggesting that lifestyle modifications should be given priority in adults with CAD and OSA, regardless of CPAP treatment.

Postoperative Atrial Fibrillation in Adults with Obstructive Sleep Apnea Undergoing Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting in the RICCADSA Cohort.

Postoperative atrial fibrillation (POAF) occurs in 20−50% of patients with coronary artery disease (CAD) after coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG). Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is also common in adults with CAD, and may contribute to POAF as well to the reoccurrence of AF in patients at long-term. In the current secondary analysis of the Randomized Intervention with Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP) in Coronary Artery Disease and Obstructive Sleep Apnea (RICCADSA) trial (Trial Registry: ClinicalTrials.gov; No: NCT 00519597), we included 147 patients with CABG, who underwent a home sleep apnea testing, in average 73 ± 30 days after the surgical intervention. POAF was defined as a new-onset AF occurring within the 30 days following the CABG. POAF was observed among 48 (32.7%) patients, occurring within the first week among 45 of those cases. The distribution of the apnea-hypopnea-index (AHI) categories < 5.0 events/h (no-OSA); 5.0−14.9 events/h (mild OSA); 15.0−29.9 events/h (moderate OSA); and ≥30 events/h (severe OSA), was 4.2%, 14.6%, 35.4%, and 45.8%, in the POAF group, and 16.2%, 17.2%, 39.4%, and 27.3%, respectively, in the no-POAF group. In a multivariate logistic regression model, there was a significant risk increase for POAF across the AHI categories, with the highest odds ratio (OR) for severe OSA (OR 6.82, 95% confidence interval 1.31−35.50; p = 0.023) vs. no-OSA, independent of age, sex, and body-mass-index. In the entire cohort, 90% were on ß-blockers according to the clinical routines, they all had sinus rhythm on the electrocardiogram at baseline before the study start, and 28 out of 40 patients with moderate to severe OSA (70%) were allocated to CPAP. During a median follow-up period of 67 months, two patients (none with POAF) were hospitalized due to AF. To conclude, severe OSA was significantly associated with POAF in patients with CAD undergoing CABG. However, none of those individuals had an AF-reoccurrence at long term, and whether CPAP should be considered as an add-on treatment to ß-blockers in secondary prevention models for OSA patients presenting POAF after CABG requires further studies in larger cohorts.