Restless sleep disorder in children with epileptic and non-epileptic nocturnal attacks.

Restless sleep disorder (RSD) is an important sleep disorder characterised by the presence of frequent large muscle movements (LMM) during sleep, which may be comorbid to other conditions/diseases. In this study, we investigated the frequency and the characteristics of RSD among children who were evaluated by polysomnography (PSG) due to epileptic and non-epileptic nocturnal attacks. We analysed consecutively children younger than 18 years who were referred for PSG recording due to abnormal motor activities during sleep. The diagnosis of nocturnal events as sleep-related epilepsy was made based on the current consensus. Patients who were referred with suspicion of sleep-related epilepsy, but who were diagnosed to have non-epileptic nocturnal events and children with a definitive diagnosis of NREM sleep parasomnias were also enrolled. Sixty-two children were analysed in this study (17 children with sleep-related epilepsy, 20 children with NREM parasomnia, and 25 children with nocturnal events not otherwise classified [neNOS]). The mean number of LMM, LMM index, LMM-associated with arousal and its index were all significantly higher in children with sleep-related epilepsy. Restless sleep disorder was present in 47.1% of patients with epilepsy, 25% of patients with parasomnia, and in 20% of patients with neNOS. The mean A3 duration and the A3 index were higher in children with sleep-related epilepsy and RSD compared with those with parasomnia and restless sleep disorder. Patients with RSD had lower ferritin levels than those without RSD in all subgroups. Our study demonstrates a high prevalence of restless sleep disorder in children with sleep-related epilepsy, associated with an increased cyclic alternating pattern.

Analysis of QRS complex morphology in children and adolescents with obstructive sleep apnea syndrome.

Obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS) leads to many cardiovascular, neurologic, metabolic, and neurocognitive consequences. Conduction deficits, deviations in electrical axis, and changes in QRS morphology reflect the impairments in cardiac muscle activity and underlie the cardiovascular complications of OSAS. Here we aimed to determine the relationship between OSAS and changes in the cardiac conduction system in children and adolescents. During the 6-month duration of the study, all children having the diagnosis of OSAS in Sleep and Disorders Unit following a full-night polysomnography (PSG) were consecutively evaluated. ECGs were performed and analyzed in the Division of Pediatric Cardiology, Department of Pediatrics. The maximum spatial vector size (QRSmax), QRS electrical axis (EA), left and right ventricular hypertrophy, and the presence of fragmented QRS (fQRS) or prolonged R or S wave were examined in detail. A total of 17 boys with OSAS and 13 healthy boys participated in the study. The mean QRSmax and the QRSmax on V5 derivative were significantly lower in the patient group compared to those in the control group (p = 0.011 and p = 0.017, respectively). EA was similar between the two groups. While none of the patients with OSAS nor the control group had left ventricular hypertrophy, only one boy with OSAS had right ventricular hypertrophy according to ECG-derived analysis. The percentage of fQRS or notched R or S waves was significantly higher in patients with OSAS compared to healthy controls (p = 0.035), especially in children below the age of 5 years (p = 0.036).  Conclusion: This study demonstrated that male children and adolescents with OSAS have a combination of QRS complex changes characterized by low QRS voltages, and increased frequency of fragmented QRS. These findings reflect that the electrical remodeling and structural remodeling of the myocardium are considerably affected by OSAS in children and adolescents, leading to ventricular changes and intraventricular conduction problems. What is Known: • Pediatric obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS) characterized by recurrent intermittent hypoxemia, hypercapnia, and sleep fragmentation results in sympathetic nervous system activation, increased inflammation, and hypoxic endothelial dysfunction. When left untreated, OSAS leads to many cardiovascular, neurologic, metabolic and neurocognitive consequences, and also to sudden infant death syndrome in young children, probably due to the involvement of the cardiac conduction system. What is New: • This study demonstrated that mean QRSmax was significantly lower in male children and adolescents with OSAS, reflecting the structural and electrical remodeling of the myocardium, and one boy with OSAS had RVH according to ECG-derived analysis. The percentage of fQRS or notched R or S waves was much higher in boys with OSAS, especially in children below the age of five years. These finding showed that myocardium was considerably affected to impair the intraventricular conduction in younger children with OSAS.

Distinctive sleep complaints and polysomnographic findings in antibody subgroups of autoimmune limbic encephalitis.

INTRODUCTION: Sleep disturbances are being increasingly recognized in association with autoimmune encephalitis (AIE). We investigated the prevalence of sleep-related symptoms and polysomnographic features of patients with AIE and the long-term outcomes in these patients in a multi-center, prospective study from Turkey. METHODS: We prospectively evaluated patients with definite AIE in a common database including demographics, AIE-related and sleep-related symptomatology. Maximum and latest modified Rankin scores (mRS) and Liverpool Outcome Score (LOS) were noted. RESULTS: Of 142 patients, 87 patients (61.3%) fulfilled the criteria for definite AIE (mean age, 46.8+18.8 years; 51.7% women; mean disease duration, 21.0+38.4 months). 78.9% of patients had at least one or more new onset or worsened sleep-related symptomatology: insomnia (55.3%), excessive daytime sleepiness (EDS, 28.0%), sleep apnea (18.7%), REM sleep behavior disorder (RBD, 17.3%), restless legs syndrome (10.7%) and oneiric stupor (9.3%). Sleep efficiency, N3 and REM sleep were decreased and N1 sleep was increased in patients with Ab[+] AIE. LOS points were highest in those with insomnia and sleep apnea, and lowest in those with EDS, RBD and oneiric stupor. RBD and sleep apnea were more common in anti-LG1 Ab[+] group than anti-NMDAR Ab[+] group. Index of periodic leg movements was highest in anti-LG1 Ab[+] group. Patients with EDS and oneiric stupor had more common memory problems. Maximum and latest mRS scores were positively correlated with EDS and oneiric stupor. EDS, RBD and oneiric stupor were negatively correlated with LOS points. CONCLUSION: Our study emphasizes the presence and importance of early diagnosis of sleep disturbances in AIE in regard to their deteriorative influences on disease prognosis.

Long latency trigemino-cervical reflex in restless legs syndrome.

OBJECTIVE: The trigemino-cervical complex (TCC) seems under dopaminergic inhibitory control and the abnormalities of trigemino-cervical reflex (TCR) have been reported in disorders associated with the dopaminergic system and various pain disorders. If the inhibitory response in TCC is likely dopaminergic, we hypothesized that TCR, which has never been evaluated in restless legs syndrome (RLS) patients before, would be also abnormal. METHODS: TCR was recorded from bilateral sternocleidomastoid and splenius capitis muscles in consecutive 15 drug-naive RLS patients and 16 age- and sex-matched healthy subjects. The right and left infraorbital branches of the trigeminal nerve were stimulated by percutaneous electrical stimulation separately. The presence rates, onset latencies, amplitudes, and durations of responses were measured and compared between patients with RLS and controls. RESULTS: The presence rates, onset latencies and amplitudes of TCR responses were similar between RLS patients and controls, however, the durations of responses were bilaterally longer in RLS patients compared to healthy volunteers. CONCLUSIONS: Hyperexcitability of TCR suggests defective sensory processing in the brainstem probably due to impairment of descending inhibitory dopaminergic system in RLS. The sensitization of TCC in RLS patients may also be a possible factor that might explain the association of RLS and pain disorders.

Classical complement pathway factor alterations in narcolepsy.

OBJECTIVE: Narcolepsy is a chronic sleep disorder long hypothesised to be an autoimmune disease. Complement-mediated immune mechanisms have not been investigated in detail in narcolepsy. Our aim was to establish the significance of classical pathway activation in narcolepsy. METHODS: Sera of 42 narcolepsy patients and 26 healthy controls were screened with ELISA to determine the levels of C1q, C3a, C4d and complement component 4 binding protein (C4BP). A home-made ELISA method was developed to detect antibodies to C4BP-alpha (anti-C4BPA). The correlation between complement levels and clinical findings was examined. RESULTS: C1q levels were significantly higher in narcolepsy patients while C4d and C4BP levels were significantly lower compared to healthy controls. C3a levels were comparable among patients and controls. Eleven narcolepsy patients showed serum anti-C4BPA levels. Total rapid eye movements (REM) time, sleep onset latency, REM sleep latency, sleep activity, percentage of wakefulness after sleep onset and Epworth sleepiness scale scores were correlated with levels of different complement factors. CONCLUSION: Complement-mediated immune mechanisms might partake in narcolepsy pathogenesis. The precise role of autoantibodies on complement level alterations needs to be investigated. Levels of complement factors and degradation products may potentially be utilised as biomarkers to predict the clinical severity of narcolepsy.

Obstructive sleep apnea syndrome and autonomic dysfunction in Duchenne muscular dystrophy.

PURPOSE: Cardiac and respiratory involvement constitutes serious complications of Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD). We hypothesized that obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS) may play a role in cardiac autonomic dysfunction in DMD. We sought to assess the presence of cardiac autonomic function in patients with DMD by analyzing heart rate variability (HRV) during polysomnography (PSG). METHODS: In a prospective study, all participants had whole-night PSG recorded and scored according to American Academy of Sleep Medicine guidelines. HRV analysis was performed on electrocardiography recordings from PSG recordings. RESULTS: Twelve consecutive males with DMD (mean age 9.0 ± 3.1 years, mean BMI 20.6 ± 4.8 kg/m2) and eight age-matched healthy males were enrolled. On clinical evaluation, 58% of patients with DMD had at least one symptom related to OSAS, such as snoring, witnessed apnea, or restless sleep. None of the controls had OSAS-related complaints. By PSG none of the controls had OSAS, while 42% of patients with DMD had OSAS (p = 0.004). Average R-R duration and mean percentage of successive R-R intervals > 50 ms values were significantly lower in patients with DMD than those in controls (p < 0.006). In patients with DMD and OSAS, LF/HF (low/high-frequency) ratio was significantly increased in NREM sleep compared with those in controls (p = 0.005). Higher apnea-hypopnea index and lower oxygen saturation showed significant correlations with higher LF power and LF/HF ratio (p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: Cardiac autonomic dysfunction is present in DMD, being more pronounced in the presence of OSAS.

Impact of Upper Airway Collapse and Sleep Parameters on Daytime Sleepiness and Sleep Quality.

OBJECTIVE: Standard overnight polysomnography (PSG) scores only the apneahypopnea index (AHI) as a predictor of sleep apnea. It is proven that the arousals also contribute especially to the daytime symptoms of obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSA). The authors aimed to search the relevance of arousals and obstruction site in the upper airway with the sleep parameters, daytime sleepiness and the sleep quality. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total number of 118 subjects were recruited. All of them received a full-night attended PSG and a thorough otolaryngologic examination to identify the site of obstruction in the upper airway and 2 different sleep questionnaires to present the daytime sleepiness and the sleep quality. RESULTS: The level of nasal airway blockage had no impact on AHI, daytime sleepiness and the sleep quality. The increase in level of tonsillar hypertrophy had a negative impact on oxygen desaturation index (ODI) only (P = 0.021). The level of retrolingual obstruction worsen ODI (P = 0.022), AHI (P = 0.041), daytime sleepiness (P = 0.047) and sleep quality (P = 0.033). CONCLUSION: Arousals during sleep deserve better attention in scoring PSG events, as they reliably reflect daytime somnolence and sleep quality. Retrolingual obstruction was the main contributor for cortical arousals. It is imperative to cure retrolingual obstruction properly which may be easily detected in sleep endoscopy.

Sleep disturbance and cognitive decline in multiple sclerosis patients with isolated optic neuritis as the first demyelinating event.

PURPOSE: Multiple sclerosis (MS) patients whose first demyelinating event is optic neuritis have been claimed to display a milder disease course and reduced physical disability. Our aim was to investigate the impact of the clinical features of the first clinical episode on cognitive disability and sleep dysfunction in MS. METHODS: A total of 26 (10 with optic neuritis as the first clinical event) MS patients were recruited. A comprehensive sleep study was performed, and a panel of tests were administered to examine cognitive and motor performance. Serum levels of sleep-related mediators orexin-A and melatonin were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Subjective sleep quality was evaluated by Pittsburgh sleep quality test, and daytime excessive sleepiness was tested by Epworth sleepiness scale. RESULTS: MS patients with the first clinical episode of optic neuritis and patients with at least one optic neuritis attack exhibited increased daytime sleepiness, higher sleep efficiency and NREM duration and lower total wake time. Patients with a history of optic neuritis obtained more favorable scores in neuropsychological tests measuring executive functions and complex attention as compared to those who had never experienced optic neuritis. Melatonin and orexin-A levels were lower in patients with optic neuritis onset. The higher no. of optic neuritis attacks was associated with reduced wake time and higher symbol digit modalities test scores. CONCLUSIONS: Having a history of optic neuritis is associated with improved sleep quality and executive functions but increased daytime sleepiness. Reduction of orexin-A and melatonin levels might be one of the underlying mechanisms.

[Treatment approach to apnestic breathing in a patient with vocal cord paralysis due to Arnold Chiari malformation and tracheostomy]. / Arnold Chiari malformasyonu nedeniyle vokal kord paralizisi gelisen ve trakeostomi takilan hastada apnöstik solunuma tedavi yaklasimi.

Arnold Chiari malformation (ACM) is herniation of brain stem structures, especially cerebellar tonsils, from the foramen magnum into the cervical spinal canal. Sleep-related respiratory disorders are reported at a higher rate in this patient group than the general population, at about 60-75%. A 43-year-old male patient was diagnosed with ACM type 1.5 at the center where he applied with complaints of weakness in the extremities, speech disorder and syncope triggered by coughing, and a decompression of posterior fossa (PFD) was applied to the patient. Since 2018, the apnea attacks, which were able to be 6-7 times a night every night, last in 30 seconds, with eyes open, inactivity and bruising, have started in the patient, so in all night-time polysomnography (PSG) examination for diagnostic purpose, apnestic breathing including continuous, central and mixed type apneas in sleep and wakefulness was detected. Different modes (CPAP, BPAP-S/T, ASV) were tried with the cannula placed on the tracheostomy in the PSG performed for non-invasive mechanical ventilation therapy, but none alone was effective. In the patient, whom IVAPS/AVAPS mode was tried, all abnormal breathing events, irregular apnetic breathing pattern and oxygen desaturations were effectively controlled in all positions, wakefulness and all sleep stages with pressure support, respiratory rate and tidal volume support. PFD is recommended as the first-line treatment for the treatment of obstructive or central type apneas in ACM; Information on non-invasive mechanical ventilation therapy is insufficient. In this case, we aimed to present the difficulties in the diagnosis and treatment of sleep-related respiratory disorders in a patient whom ACM diagnosed, PFD was applied but underwent permanent trachoestomy due to bilateral vocal cord paralysis.

Positive airway pressure normalizes glucose metabolism in obstructive sleep apnea independent of diabetes and obesity.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: The relationship among obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS), type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM2) and obesity is very complex and multi-directional. Obesity and increased visceral fat are important perpetuating factors for DM2 in patients with OSAS. On the other hand, OSAS itself leads to obesity by causing both leptin and insulin resistance as a consequence of activation of the sympathetic nervous system. Risk for developing DM2 further increases in patients with OSAS and obesity. Data regarding effects of positive airway pressure (PAP) therapy, gold standard treatment for OSAS, on glycemic control were inconsistent due to variability in duration of and adherence to PAP therapy. In our cohort study we investigated effects of PAP treatment on glucose metabolism in normal-weighted non-diabetic OSAS patients, in obese non-diabetic OSAS patients, and in OSAS patients with DM2. METHODS: We prospectively analyzed 67 patients diagnosed with OSAS and documented to be effectively treated with PAP therapy for three months. RESULTS: Apnea-hypopnea index was highest in the diabetic group, being significantly higher than in the normal-weighted group (p=0.021). Mean HOMA values were significantly higher in obese (p=0.002) and diabetic group (p=0.001) than normal-weighted group; the differences were still significant after PAP therapy. HbA1c levels were significantly higher in diabetic group compared to those in normal-weighted (p=0.012) and obese (p=0.001) groups. After PAP treatment, decrease in HbA1c levels were significant in normal-weighted (p=0.008), obese (p=0.034), and diabetic (p=0.011) groups. There was no correlation with the change in HbA1c levels and age (p=0.212), BMI (p=0.322), AHI (p=0.098) or oxygen levels (p=0.122). CONCLUSION: Our study showed that treatment of OSAS by PAP therapy offers beneficial effect on glucose metabolism, not only in diabetic patients, but also in obese and normal-weighted OSAS patients. Although data regarding overall effects of PAP therapy on glycemic control present contradictory results in the literature, it should be emphasized that duration and adherence to PAP therapy were main determinants for beneficial outcome of treatment.

Rapid eye movement sleep without atonia constitutes increased risk for neurodegenerative disorders.

OBJECTIVES: REM (rapid eye movement) sleep without atonia (RSWA) is a polysomnographic finding used in diagnosis of REM sleep behavior disorder (RBD). Clinical significance of idiopathic RSWA (iRSWA) unaccompanied by RBD is not known. We designed a prospective study to investigate whether iRSWA constitutes an increased risk for developing neurodegenerative disorders. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Between January 2010 and December 2014, a total of 4362 patients underwent a full-night video-polysomnography. Upon detailed clinical and polysomnographical examination, patients with iRSWA and idiopathic RBD (iRBD) were enrolled into this study and followed up at every six months for at least 4 years up to 9 years. RESULTS: We had a total of 31 patients with iRBD and 67 patients with iRSWA. Mean age was higher in iRBD group than those in iRSWA group (P = .016). Restless legs syndrome/Willis-Ekbom disease was significantly more common in patients with iRBD than those in patient with iRSWA (P < .001). Eighteen patients with iRSWA (26.8%) developed iRBD after 2.6 + 2.2 years. Six patients with iRSWA (8.9%) developed neurodegenerative disorders following 2.4 + 1.5 years; four were diagnosed as Parkinson's disease (PD) and two developed probable Alzheimer-type dementia. In patients with iRBD, eight patients (25.8%) developed neurodegenerative disorders-all was Parkinson's disease-following 2.6 + 2.2 years. Development of neurodegenerative diseases was positively correlated with age (P < .001) and periodic leg movements in sleep in both groups (P < .010). CONCLUSIONS: These results show that iRSWA may also be accepted as a risk factor in the development of PD or neurodegenerative diseases. Advanced age and periodic leg movements in sleep seem to be correlated with higher risk.

Effects of Sleep-Related Disorders on the Prognosis of Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis.

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVE: In this study, we demonstrated the effects of obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS) on the prognosis of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). However, the effects of sleep-related disorders other than breathing problems are still waiting to be delineated. METHODS: In this longitudinal retrospective and prospective study, we investigated 73 patients with ALS compared to 20 healthy subjects, to determine sleep-related disorders and their impact on disease prognosis. RESULTS: In patients with ALS, the mean respiratory disturbance index (RDI) was 28.0/h, which was significantly higher than that in the controls (p < 0.001). OSAS was present in 67% of the patients, sleep-related hypoxemia was observed in 13.7% of the patients, and 5.4% had central sleep apnea syndrome. In patients with bulbar-onset disease, higher RDI was almost significantly associated with lower survival (p = 0.056). The mean index of periodic leg movements in sleep was significantly higher in patients with ALS (34.0 ± 19.9/h) than that in the controls (12.5 ± 15.5/h; p < 0.001). Periodic leg movements disorder (PLMD) was diagnosed in 23 patients with ALS (31.5%); fragmentary myoclonus was present in 13.7% of patients, and REM-sleep behavior disorder was diagnosed in 4 patients (5.4%). The presence of PLMD in addition to OSAS was significantly associated with worse prognosis and poorer survival (p = 0.040). CONCLUSIONS: These findings emphasize that sleep-related disorders other than OSAS deserve attention in ALS. ALS is a catastrophic and frustrating disease for both patients and physicians; thus, the diagnosis and treatment of comorbid sleep disorders could improve the survival of patients with ALS.

Corneal Biomechanical Properties in Obstructive Sleep Apnea Syndrome.

OBJECTIVES: To investigate the corneal biomechanical properties and anterior segment parameters in patients with obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS). METHODS: Fifty-four eyes of 54 patients with OSAS and 20 eyes of 20 healthy subjects were included. Patients with mild and moderate OSAS (Respiratory Disturbance Index [RDI] <30) enrolled in group 1, those with severe OSAS (RDI≥30) in group 2 and controls in group 3. Corneal biomechanical properties including corneal hysteresis (CH), corneal resistance factor (CRF), Goldmann-correlated intraocular pressure (IOPg), and corneal-compensated intraocular pressure (IOPcc) were measured with ocular response analyzer. Maximum (Kmax), minimum (Kmin), and mean simulated (SimKm) keratometry values, corneal astigmatism (CA), and central corneal thickness (CCT) were evaluated with Pentacam Scheimpflug imaging. RESULTS: The mean CH and CRF were significantly lower in group 2. The mean CH was 10.9±1.4 mm Hg in group 1, 10.1±1.1 mm Hg in group 2, and 12.1±1.2 mm Hg in group 3 (P<0.001). The mean CRF was 11.1±1.8 mm Hg in group 1, 9.9±1.1 mm Hg in group 2, and 12.2±1.2 mm Hg in group 3 (P<0.001). The CH and CRF values were similar between the groups 1 and 3 (P=0.867 and P=0.743). Corneal-compensated intraocular pressure, IOPg, Kmax, Kmin, SimKm, CA, and CCT values were not statistically different among the three groups. CONCLUSIONS: Patients with severe OSAS had lower CH and CRF values. The lower CH and CRF values in the severe group were possibly related to changes of the structural properties in the cornea.

Sleep bruxism is related to decreased inhibitory control of trigeminal motoneurons, but not with reticulobulbar system.

Sleep bruxism (SB) is a stereotyped movement disorder characterized by grinding or clenching of the teeth during sleep. We aimed to understand the abnormal networks related to the excitability of masticatory pathways in patients with SB. Eleven patients with SB and age- and gender-matched 20 healthy subjects were prospectively enrolled in our study. The masseter inhibitory reflex (MIR) after electrical stimulation and auditory startle reaction (ASR) were examined. For MIR responses, durations of early and late silent period (SP) were shorter and the degree of suppression of SPs was significantly lower in SB group in comparison to those obtained in healthy subjects. The ASR responses even of the masseter muscle, however, were similar between patients with SB and healthy individuals. Abnormal MIR provides support for the decreased inhibitory control of the central masticatory circuits in SB whereas normal ASR suggests the integrity and normal functioning of brainstem pathways mediating startle reaction. Although the sample size is small, our results are in line with previous findings and suggest an abnormally decreased inhibition in trigeminal motoneurons to masseter muscle rather than reticulobulbar pathways in patients with SB.

Prevalence of insomnia and its clinical correlates in a general population in Turkey.

AIM: The prevalence of insomnia is influenced by environmental factors. This study aimed to investigate the prevalence of insomnia and its sociodemographic and clinical correlates in a general population-based survey in Turkey. METHODS: This population-based study included 4758 subjects among 5021 who participated in the Turkish Adult Population Epidemiology of Sleep Disorders study. Questionnaire items evaluating insomnia were adapted from the International Classification of Sleep Disorders II and the DSM-IV-TR. Subjects with restless legs syndrome were excluded. RESULTS: Insomnia was found to be associated with older age (18-24 years, 9.8%; 25-44 years, 11.7%; 45-64 years, 13.8%; 65 years or older, 13.9%), lower income level (<500 USD, 16.5%), time spent watching TV (6-8 h or more, 18.4%), tea consumption in the evening (≥6 glasses, 14.5%) and smoking status (current and ex-smoker, both 14.2%) in multiple logistic regression analysis. In respect to other medical disorders, insomnia was significantly associated with the presence of hypertension, diabetes and heart diseases after the adjustment for relevant risk factors for each disease, across all age and sex groups. CONCLUSIONS: Insomnia is a major health problem in our population, affecting subjects in the working age group and those of lower socioeconomic status. It should especially be screened in patients with chronic diseases. A relatively low proportion of insomnia diagnosed as a sleep disorder suggests that this condition and its clinical correlates are possibly under-recognized.

Ocular surface and tear parameters in patients with chronic hepatitis C at initial stages of hepatic fibrosis.

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to evaluate changes in ocular surface and tear function parameters in chronic hepatitis C at initial stages of hepatic fibrosis. METHODS: Thirty-one patients with biopsy-proven chronic hepatitis C and 31 age- and sex-matched healthy control subjects without systemic hepatitis C infection were examined with the Ocular Surface Disease Index (OSDI) questionnaire, Schirmer I, tear film break-up time, and scoring of ocular surface fluorescein and Rose Bengal staining using modified Oxford and van Bijsterveld scoring systems, respectively. RESULTS: All ocular surface parameters, except OSDI and corneal staining scores, were significantly worse in hepatitis C group. The control group had greater OSDI scores than the hepatitis C group, but there was no statistically important difference. In subgroup analysis, progression of hepatic fibrosis was found to be correlated strongly with decreased Schirmer test I, increased OSDI, lid parallel conjunctival folds, conjunctival, and corneal staining scores. CONCLUSION: Patients with chronic hepatitis C were more likely to exhibit severe ocular surface damage and signs of dry eye.

The prevalence of migraine in restless legs syndrome.

OBJECTIVE: While previous studies have investigated the prevalence of restless legs syndrome (RLS) in patients with migraine, we aimed to explore the prevalence and characteristics of migraine in adult patients diagnosed with RLS. BACKGROUNDS: The association of primary headaches, especially of migraine, with RLS has recently attracted much attention. Migraine prevalence was reported to be higher in patients with RLS than in the general population, and the role of dopamine was strengthened. METHODS: We evaluated 265 consecutive adult RLS patients (137 males and 128 females) followed up in a Sleep Disorders Unit and diagnosed according to criteria defined by the International Restless Legs Syndrome Study Group (IRLSSG). RLS characteristics, and the severity, were performed by using the IRLSSG severity scale. The diagnosis of headache subtypes was defined by the International Classification of Headache Disorders. Gender, age, age at RLS onset, duration of RLS, family history of RLS, family history of headache, presence of depression, any treatments given for RLS, and the change in headache following RLS treatment were questioned. RESULTS: The mean age of the study population was 50.4 ± 12.8 years, mean age at RLS onset was 41.6 ± 13.2 years, and mean disease duration was 8.40 ± 8.6 years. Of these, 163 patients had headache; 40 of them were diagnosed to have migraine-type headache (15.1%). The presence of migraine-type headache was 9.4% in males with RLS, and 21.1% in female RLS patients. In RLS patients with migraine, 67.5% were females, while 48.0% of RLS patients with other types of headache were females (P = .032), and only 41.2% of RLS patients without headache were females (P = .005). The severity of RLS was significantly higher in patients with migraine compared with those without headache (P < .001). The presence of depression, the family history of RLS, and headache were also higher in patients with migraine compared with RLS patients with other types of headache or those without headache. Thirty-six patients with headache reported partial or substantial benefit from RLS treatment. CONCLUSIONS: Our results did not suggest higher rates of migraine-type headache in RLS patients when compared with population-based prevalence studies from Turkey. Alternatively, the severity of RLS was significantly higher in patients with migraine. Although the increase in these scores does not constitute a relationship etiopathogenetic, it suggests a correlation between the type cross-model nociceptive systems. Moreover, the family history of RLS was higher in patients with migraine. The prevalence of migraine in patients with RLS, however, waits to be better demonstrated.

Attention and executive function impairments in obstructive sleep apnea are associated with decreased sleep spindles.

INTRODUCTION: Sleep spindles play a key role in sleep-mediated cognitive processes. Cognitive functions are well-known to be affected in obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). Here, we analyzed attention and executive functions in patients with OSA and investigated the relationship between sleep spindles and cognitive abilities. METHODS: Sixty patients with OSA (18-65 years, 19 females and 41 males) and a control group (n = 41) including age-and sex-matched healthy individuals were consecutively and prospectively enrolled. All participants had a full-night polysomnography, and sleep spindles were analyzed using a semi-automated program. For the evaluation of short-term memory, attention and executive functions, Stroop test, forward and backward digit span tests were applied to all participants upon awakening following polysomnography. RESULTS: Scores of forward and backward digit span and Stroop tests were worse in OSA patients in compared to those in controls. Mean density of sleep spindles was decreased in OSA patients than those in controls (p = 0.044). A positive correlation was found between fast sleep spindle frequency and forward digit span (r = 2.222; p = 0.038) and backward digit span test scores (r = 2,157; p = 0.042) in OSA patients. In patients with moderate to severe OSA, sleep spindle density was positively correlated with forward (r = 2.323, p = 0.029) and backward (r = 2.500, p = 0.016) DSTs, and the duration of sleep spindles had positive correlation with backward DST (r = 2.452, p = 0.010). CONCLUSION: Our findings demonstrated that the disturbances in sleep spindle characteristics in OSA are associated with the cognitive impairments in attention, short-term memory, and executive functions, especially in patients with moderate to severe OSA.

Assessment of Impact of Dietary Patterns on Obstructive Sleep Apnea Patients.

Objective Obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS) is characterized by episodic cessations of breathing due to upper airway obstruction during sleep, which may cause disturbances in dietary patterns resulting from appetite-related hormonal changes. The aim of the present study was to investigate the relationship between OSAS and nutritional and dietary patterns. Materials and Methods A total of 20 female and 53 male OSAS patients aged > 30 years were enrolled. Demographic data, as well as data on smoking and alcohol habits, were noted, anthropometric measures were made, and a questionnaire regarding chronic diseases including OSAS and four questionnaires on recent food intake frequency and content of nutrition were filled out. The content of nutrition was noted under seven categories: meat, legumes, milk and dairy products, fruits and vegetables, bread and cereals, fat and carbohydrates, and beverages. Results The severity of OSAS (assessed by the apnea-hypopnea index. AHI) was positively correlated with the body mass index (BMI), the circumferences of the waist, chest, and buttocks, and, in males, with the circumference of the neck as well. There was no correlation between the AHI and nutritional habits in terms of the frequency of meals or snacks, the scores on the Snoring, Tiredness, Observed Apnea, and High Blood Pressure-Body Mass Index, Age, Neck Circumference, and Gender (STOP-BANG) Questionnaire and the corresponding macro- and micronutrients. Worsening apnea scores led to increased intake of macronutrients of carbohydrate and protein and micronutrients of niacin and pyridoxine ( p < 0.05), and decreased intake of fat ( p < 0.05). Conclusion The present study demonstrated an association between OSAS severity and recent food intake, manifested in increased intake of carbohydrates, niacin, and pyridoxine, and decreased fat intake.

Patients with restless legs syndrome exhibit reduced serum colony-stimulating factor-1, humanin-like 3 and 10 levels.

OBJECTIVE: The main pathophysiological mechanisms in restless legs syndrome (RLS) are known as genetic predisposition, brain iron deficiency, and dopaminergic dysfunction. While some genetic variants and polymorphisms were defined, the genetic basis and etiopathogenesis of RLS remain unclear. We aimed to identify new candidate genes and/or potential biomarkers associated with increased RLS risk. METHODS: Twenty-three patients with RLS, 30 patients with Parkinson's disease (PD), and 27 healthy controls were enrolled. Agilent Human 8X60K Oligo Microarray was used for the identification of gene expression levels in peripheral blood cells. Gene ontology (GO) analysis was used for functional annotation of differentially expressed genes (DEGs). Serum levels of selected DEGs were measured by ELISA for validation. RESULTS: Patients with RLS showed 30 downregulated DEGs compared to healthy controls. Two genes, MTRNR2L10 and MTRNR2L3, involved negative regulation of the execution phase of apoptosis were highlighted in GO analysis. These genes encode humanin-like 10 and 3, respectively, were encoded by these genes, and their levels, along with CSF-1, linked to neurodegeneration, were reduced in RLS patients. Humanin-like 10 and CSF-1 levels correlated with sleep efficiency and N2 sleep duration, while humanin-like 3 levels correlated with mean sleep oxygen saturation during sleep. CONCLUSION: Our study showed that several neuroprotective genes were downregulated in RLS, which may confer susceptibility to neuronal death associated with decreased sleep efficiency. Microarray results differed between RLS and PD patients, suggesting diverse pathogenetic mechanisms. CSF-1, which is involved in iron, dopamine metabolism, and blood oxygenation, appears to partake in RLS pathophysiology.