Risk stratification for frailty, impairment and assessment of sleep disorders in community-dwelling older adults.

BACKGROUND: Frailty is associated with an increased susceptibility to functional decline, impairment, hospitalization, and mortality among the older adults. However, the potential reversibility of frailty lies in identifying modifiable factors that could prevent, mitigate, or interrupt its progression. While there is a suggestion that sleep disorders may increase the risk of frailty and impairment, the risk stratification of this relationship remains inconclusive. OBJECTIVE: Stratify the risk of frailty and impairment and investigate potential connections with sleep quality, excessive daytime sleepiness, and the risk of obstructive sleep apnea in older adults dwelling in the community. METHODS: This was a quantitative cross-sectional investigation. Frailty risk and impairment were stratified using the Frail Non-disabled Questionnaire (for impairment) and the FRAIL Scale (for Frailty). The assessment of excessive daytime sleepiness, sleep quality, and the risk of obstructive sleep apnea involved the employment of the Epworth Sleepiness Scale, Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index, and the STOP-BANG questionnaire, respectively. RESULTS: A total of 109 older adults living in the urban area (86 %, p = 0.010), females (61 %; p = 0.030), median age 68 (64-75) years, with overweight (36 %, p < 0.010) and self-identified as belonging to other racial or ethnic categories (71 %, p < 0.010). According to the impairment assessment, 32 % of participants were classified as disable (p < 0.01). Conversely, as per the frailty evaluation, 33 % were pre-frail and 25 % were identified as frail. Additionally, a substantial proportion experienced poor sleep quality (80 %, p = 0.010), exhibited a moderate risk of obstructive sleep apnea (49 %, p < 0.010), and showed no signs of excessive daytime sleepiness (62 %, p < 0.010). There was a modest correlation between frailty and impairment with poor sleep quality (rho = 0.39; p < 0.001) and the risk of obstructive sleep apnea (rho = 0.26; p = 0.000). However, the was no significant relationship was observed between frailty and impairment and excessive daytime sleepiness (rho = 0.04; p = 0.660). Similarly, a modest correlation was observed between sleep quality (rho = 0.33; p < 0.001), the risk of obstructive sleep apnea (rho = 0.27; p = 0.001), and frailty. Conversely, no correlation was found with excessive daytime sleepiness (rho = 0.05; p = 0.590). Also, the poor sleep quality and the risk of obstructive sleep apnea explain 14 % of the risk of frailty in the population of community-dwelling older adults (r2 = 0.14; p = 0.04). CONCLUSION: This study reveals a modest risk of frailty and impairment with sleep quality and the risk of obstructive sleep apnea, but not with excessive daytime sleepiness in community-dwelling older adults.

Instruments For Assessment Of Excessive Daytime Sleepiness In Brazilian Children And Adolescents: Systematic Review.

OBJECTIVE: To systematically review the literature on the instruments used to assess excessive daytime sleepiness (EDS) in Brazilian children and adolescents. DATA SOURCE: A systematic review of the literature was performed in the databases MEDLINE PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, LILACS, Scielo and SPORTDiscus, with no time limit for searches. The eligibility criteria were studies published in English and Portuguese, original articles that used questionnaires to assess EDS and whose sample consisted of Brazilian children and/or adolescents. As search strategy, the following terms were combined with Boolean operators "OR" and/or "AND": drowsiness, disorders of excessive somnolence, excessive daytime sleepiness, day sleepiness, midday sleepiness, daytime sleepiness, adolescents, Brazil, Brazilian adolescents, and children. DATA SYNTHESIS: Sixteen articles were selected, in which nine different instruments were applied to 8.240 children and adolescents from the South, Southeast, Midwest and Northeast regions of Brazil. The mean of methodological quality of studies was 16.1±1.9 points. The instruments most frequently used were the Pediatric Daytime Sleepiness Scale (PDSS) and Karolinska Sleepiness Scale (KSS), but only PDSS was shown reliable to assess EDS in Brazilian children and adolescents. CONCLUSIONS: The PDSS was the only instrument considered reliable to assess EDS in Brazilian children and adolescents. Further research on EDS in children and adolescents are suggested to perform the validation of other instruments for Brazil and present internal consistency values.

Dose-response relationship between positive airway pressure therapy and excessive daytime sleepiness: the HomePAP study.

STUDY OBJECTIVES: The clinical benefits of positive airway pressure (PAP) therapy for obstructive sleep apnea are assumed to require adherent PAP usage, defined by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services as ≥ 4 hours of use ≥ 70% of nights. However, this definition is based on early data and does not necessarily capture improvements at subthreshold adherence. We explored dose-response relationships between PAP adherence measures and excessive daytime sleepiness from the HomePAP randomized controlled trial. METHODS: Participants aged ≥ 18 years with an apnea-hypopnea index ≥ 15 events/h and baseline sleepiness (Epworth Sleepiness Scale [ESS] ≥ 12) received PAP therapy. Data were collected at baseline, 1-month follow-up, and 3-months follow-up. Regression models and receiver operating characteristic curves evaluated PAP measures as predictors of ESS change and normalization (ESS < 10). RESULTS: In 119 participants (aged 49.4 ± 12.6 years, 66.4% male, 72.3% White), > 50% were PAP nonadherent per Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services criteria at 3 months. The percentage of nights with PAP use ≥ 4 hours predicted ESS change (P = .023), but not when controlling for the apnea-hypopnea index. The percentage of nights with ≥ 4 hours and average PAP use provided the best discrimination for predicting ESS normalization; each 10% increase in PAP use ≥ 4 hours increased the odds of ESS normalization by 22% (P = .007); those using PAP ≥ 4 hours had a nearly 3-fold greater odds of ESS normalization (P = .025). PAP use for at least 4 hours and on 70% of nights provided the best balance between specificity (0.50) and sensitivity (0.73). CONCLUSIONS: Although subadherent PAP usage may still confer some benefit for patients with obstructive sleep apnea, adherence to current criteria confers the highest likelihood for ESS change and normalization. CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION: Registry: ClinicalTrials.gov; Name: Portable Monitoring for Diagnosis and Management of Sleep Apnea (HomePAP); URL: https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT00642486; Identifier: NCT00642486. CITATION: Pascoe M, Bena J, Andrews ND, et al. Dose-response relationship between positive airway pressure therapy and excessive daytime sleepiness: the HomePAP study. J Clin Sleep Med. 2022;18(4):1027-1034.

Residual excessive daytime sleepiness in patients treated for obstructive sleep apnea: guidance for assessment, diagnosis, and management.

Excessive daytime sleepiness (EDS) affects approximately half of patients with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) and can persist in some despite normalization of breathing, oxygenation, and sleep quality with primary OSA therapy, such as continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP). EDS is often overlooked and under discussed in the primary care setting and in the follow-up of CPAP-treated patients due to difficult assessment of such a multi-dimensional symptom. This review aims to provide suggestions for procedures that can be implemented into routine clinical practice to identify, evaluate, and manage EDS in patients treated for OSA, including how to appropriately use various self-report and objective assessments along the clinical pathway and options for pharmacotherapy. In addition, examples of when it is appropriate to refer a patient to a sleep specialist for evaluation are discussed.

Assessment of self-reported and objective daytime sleepiness in adult-onset myotonic dystrophy type 1.

STUDY OBJECTIVES: Excessive daytime sleepiness (EDS) in myotonic dystrophy type 1 is mostly of central origin but it may coexist with sleep-related breathing disorders. However, there is no consensus on the sleep protocols to be used, assessments vary, and only a minority of patients are regularly tested or are on treatment for EDS. Our study presents data on self-reported and objective EDS in adult-onset myotonic dystrophy type 1. METHODS: Sixty-three patients with adult-onset DM1 were subjected to EDS-sleep assessments (polysomnography, Multiple Sleep Latency Test, Epworth Sleepiness Scale). Correlation coefficients were computed to assess the relationship between sleep and sleepiness test results, fatigue, and quality of life. RESULTS: 33% and 48% of patients had EDS based, respectively, on the Epworth Sleepiness Scale and the Multiple Sleep Latency Test, with a low concordance between these tests (k = 0.19). Thirteen patients (20%) displayed 2 or more sleep-onset rapid eye movement periods on Multiple Sleep Latency Test. Patients having EDS by Multiple Sleep Latency Test had a shorter disease duration (P < .05), higher total sleep time and sleep efficiency and lower wake after sleep onset on polysomnography. Patients with self-reported EDS reported significantly higher fatigue score compared with patients without EDS (P < .05). No other difference was found in demographic, clinical, and respiratory features. CONCLUSIONS: EDS test results are contradictory, making treatment options difficult. Combining quantitative tests and self-reported scales may facilitate physicians in planning EDS care with patients and families. CITATION: Sansone VA, Proserpio P, Mauro L, et al. Assessment of self-reported and objective daytime sleepiness in adult-onset myotonic dystrophy type 1. J Clin Sleep Med. 2021;17(12):2383-2391.

Associations Between Trauma, Sleep, and Cognitive Impairment Among Latino and Asian Older Adults.

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: Trauma survivors with chronic post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) have been found to have cognitive impairment. But little is known about these outcomes among Latino and Asians who comprise more than 80% of the U.S. immigrant population. They also experience disparities in PTSD and dementia care albeit increased exposure to trauma. This study aimed to (1) examine the association between trauma exposures and PTSD with cognitive impairment in a sample of Latino and Asian older adults; and (2) assess whether sleep quality attenuated the PTSD-cognitive impairment association. DESIGN: Cross-sectional secondary analysis of baseline data from the Positive Minds-Strong Bodies randomized controlled trial on disability prevention. SETTING: Community-based organizations serving minority or immigrant older adults in Massachusetts, New York, Florida, or Puerto Rico. PARTICIPANTS: Hispanic/Latino and Asian/Pacific Islander adults aged 60 or older eligible per randomized controlled trial screening for elevated mood symptoms and minor-to-moderate physical dysfunction (n = 134 and n = 86, respectively). MEASUREMENTS: Neuropsychiatric measures were cognitive impairment (Mini Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA)), PTSD (Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Checklist for Diagnostic and Statistical Manual-5), trauma exposure (Brief Trauma Questionnaire), depression (Patient Health Questionnaire-9), generalized anxiety (Generalized Anxiety Disorder Scale-7), and daytime sleepiness (Epworth Sleepiness Scale). RESULTS: Mean age was 72.8 years and 77.5 years for the Latino and Asian groups, respectively. The Asian group was 100% immigrant, whereas 70.2% (n = 92) of the Latino group was foreign-born. In unadjusted models, higher Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Checklist for Diagnostic and Statistical Manual-5 scores were associated with decreased odds of normal cognitive functioning (MoCA ≥25) in the Asian group (odds ratio (95% confidence interval) = .93 (.87, .99)), but not the Latino group (odds ratio (95% confidence interval) = .99 (.95, 1.05)). This association remained significant after adjusting for covariates. Daytime sleepiness did not moderate the association between PTSD and cognitive functioning in the Asian group. CONCLUSION: Higher PTSD symptoms were associated with cognitive impairment in Asian, but not Latino, older adults. Clinicians serving older Asians should integrate trauma and cognitive screening to ensure this growing, underserved population receives appropriate evidence-based treatments.

Developing an Alternative Version of the Epworth Sleepiness Scale to Assess Daytime Sleepiness in Adults with Physical or Mental Disabilities.

INTRODUCTION: Excessive daytime sleepiness (EDS) is a frequent symptom with many possible causes, and many of these can be treated. EDS and its underlying causes have been associated with various negative health consequences. Recognition of EDS is thus an important public health concern. The concept of EDS is, however, not yet well defined, and different measures are used to diagnose EDS. The Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS) is the most widely used tool to assess daytime sleepiness in a broad range of populations. Its applicability in patients exhibiting physical or mental disabilities, like older multimorbid patients, is limited, since the ESS was not developed and validated in this patient group. METHODS: Within an expert study with 35 sleep medicine experts and a pilot study with 52 geriatric in-patients, who frequently exhibit physical or mental disabilities, and patients' close relatives, we adapted the original ESS to develop an alternative version to assess daytime sleepiness in adults with physical or mental disabilities (ESS-ALT). RESULTS: In this adapted version, items 3 (sitting inactively in a public place) and 8 (sleepy in traffic) were replaced by 2 new items (sitting in a waiting room, sitting and eating a meal) and an interview format was used. This ESS-ALT achieved fewer missing responses (23 vs. 73%) and a higher level of internal consistency (Cronbach's α = 0.64 vs. 0.23) than the original ESS while keeping its somnificity structure. CONCLUSION: The ESS-ALT achieves better psychometric properties than the original ESS for individuals with physical or mental disabilities.

Real-time assessment of daytime sleepiness in drivers with multiple sclerosis.

BACKGROUND: Daytime sleepiness is a common symptom of multiple sclerosis (MS) that may jeopardize safe driving. Our aim was to compare daytime sleepiness, recorded in real-time through eyelid tracking, in a simulated drive between individuals with MS (iwMS) and healthy controls. METHODS: Fifteen iwMS (age = median (Q1 - Q3), 55 (50 - 55); EDSS = 2.5 (2 - 3.5); 12 (80%) female) were matched for age, sex, education, and cognitive status with 15 controls. Participants completed self-reported fatigue and sleepiness scales including the Modified Fatigue Impact Scale (MFIS), Pittsburg Sleep Quality Inventory (PSQI), and Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS). Percentage of eyelid closure (PERCLOS) was extracted from a remote eye tracker while completing a simulated drive of 25 min. RESULTS: Although iwMS reported more symptoms of fatigue (MFIS, p = 0.003) and poorer sleep quality (PSQI, p = 0.008), they did not report more daytime sleepiness (ESS, p = 0.45). Likewise, there were no differences between groups in real-time daytime sleepiness, indexed by PERCLOS (p = 0.82). Both groups exhibited more real-time daytime sleepiness as they progressed through the drive (time effect, p < 0.0001). The interaction effect of group*time (p = 0.05) demonstrated increased symptoms of daytime sleepiness towards the end of the drive in iwMS compared to controls. PERCLOS correlated strongly (Spearman ρ = 0.76, p = 0.001) with distance out of lane in iwMS. CONCLUSION: IwMS show exacerbated symptoms of daytime sleepiness during a monotonous, simulate drive. Future studies should investigate the effect of MS on daytime sleepiness during real-world driving.

An assessment of risks associated with obstructive sleep apnea and its relationship with adverse health outcomes among pregnant women. A multi-hospital based study.

INTRODUCTION: Physiological changes in pregnancy increase the vulnerability of antenatal women to develop obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA). It is a known cause of several adverse health outcomes in pregnancy. OBJECTIVES: To assess the risk status of OSA in pregnant women and to study its association with adverse maternal outcomes, fatigability, and daytime sleepiness. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Pregnant women were interviewed to assess for the risk of OSA, fatigability, and daytime sleepiness. STOP BANG, the fatigue severity scale, and the Epworth sleepiness scale were used to assess these parameters. RESULTS: The mean age of the 214 participants was 27.2 ± 4.7 years. 7 (3.3%) participants had a history of snoring louder than the volume of normal talking, or of being loud enough to be heard past closed doors. A moderate risk status of OSA was present among 3 (1.4%) participants. 45 (21.0%) pregnancies were high risk in nature. The risk status of OSA was associated with a high risk status of pregnancies among the participants (p = 0.0088). 41 (19.2%) participants had a history of significant fatigue over the previous week of the study. 7 (3.3%) participants reported mild to severe excessive daytime sleepiness. A history of snoring loudly (p = 0.0179) and a OSA risk status (p = 0.0027) was associated with excessive daytime sleepiness. CONCLUSIONS: A risk status for OSA was associated with a high risk pregnancy status and excessive daytime sleepiness among pregnant women in the current setting. Therefore, pregnant women with these conditions need to be evaluated for OSA. They also need to be suitably managed to ensure the healthy well-being of the mother and the baby.

Subjective and Objective Assessment of Hypersomnolence.

This article describes clinical approaches to assessing sleepiness. Subjective sleep scales are used in clinical settings but have significant limitations. Likewise, objective tools may have prohibitive expense, and practical administration considerations may prohibit regular use. Gold standard tests include the multiple sleep latency test and maintenance of wakefulness test. These studies are criticized for a variety of reasons but are useful in appropriate clinical context. New tools suggest novel ways to assess sleepiness and will likely be more prominent in clinical assessments over time. This article outlines subjective scales and objective tools and suggests situations where particular instruments may be appropriate.

Multimodal assessment increases objective identification of hypersomnolence in patients referred for multiple sleep latency testing.

STUDY OBJECTIVES: The multiple sleep latency test (MSLT) has limitations when evaluating disorders of hypersomnolence with unknown etiology. Alternative measures of hypersomnolence may objectively identify pathology in patients with complaints of daytime sleepiness that may not be captured by the MSLT alone. This study evaluated the impact of a multimodal hypersomnolence assessment relative to MSLT in patients with unexplained hypersomnolence. METHODS: Seventy-five patients with unexplained hypersomnolence were included in the analyzed sample. Polysomnography was performed without prescribed wake time, and the psychomotor vigilance task and pupillographic sleepiness test were completed between MSLT nap opportunities. Presence or absence of hypersomnolence for each assessment was defined using a priori cutpoints. Proportions of patients identified as hypersomnolent using the multimodal assessment relative to MSLT alone were evaluated, as well as the sensitivity and specificity of ancillary hypersomnolence measures relative to MSLT as a gold standard. RESULTS: The multimodal assessment more than doubled the proportion of patients identified as having objective deficits relative to MSLT ≤ 8 minutes alone. The combination of excessive sleep duration, lapses on the psychomotor vigilance task, and impairments on the pupillographic sleepiness test also had perfect sensitivity in identifying all patients identified as sleepy by the MSLT across 3 different MSLT cutpoints (5, 8, and 10 minutes). CONCLUSIONS: These data demonstrate the insufficiency of the MSLT as a singular tool to identify objective pathology in persons with unexplained hypersomnolence. Further efforts to refine and standardize multimodal assessments will likely improve diagnostic acumen and research into the causes of these disorders.

Risk Assessment for Self Reported Obstructive Sleep Apnea and Excessive Daytime Sleepiness in a Greek Nursing Staff Population.

Background and objectives: The risk assessment of Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA) and Excessive Daytime Sleepiness (EDS) in specific occupational populations is important due to its association with morbidity. The aim of the present study was to identify the risk of OSA development and EDS in a Greek nursing staff population. Materials and Methods: In this cross-sectional study a total of 444 nurses, 56 males (age = 42.91 ± 5.76 years/BMI = 27.17 ± 4.32) and 388 females (age = 41.41 ± 5.92 years/BMI = 25.08 ± 4.43) working in a Greek secondary and tertiary hospital participated during the period from 18 January 2015 to 10 February 2015. The participants completed the Berlin Questionnaire (BQ), concerning the risk for OSA and the Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS), concerning the EDS. The work and lifestyle habits of the participants were correlated with the results of the questionnaires. Results: According to the BQ results 20.5% (n = 91) of the nursing staff was at high risk for OSA. Increased daytime sleepiness affected 27.7% (n = 123) of the nurses according to ESS results. Nurses at risk for Obstructive Sleep Apnea Syndrome (OSAS), positive for both BQ and ESS, were 7.66% (n = 34). Out of the nurses that participated 77% (n = 342) were working in shifts status and had significant meal instability (breakfast p < 0.0001, lunch p < 0.0001, dinner p = 0.0008). Conclusions: The population at high risk for OSA and EDS in the nursing staff was found to be 20% and 28% respectively. High risk for OSAS was detected in 7.66% of the participants. The high risk for OSA and EDS was the same irrespective of working in shift status. In specific, nursing population age was an independent predictor for high risk for OSA and skipping lunch an independent predictor of daytime sleepiness.

Narrative review: Do spontaneous eye blink parameters provide a useful assessment of state drowsiness?

Most objective drowsiness measures have limited ability to provide continuous, accurate assessment of drowsiness state in operational settings. Spontaneous eye blink parameters are ideal for drowsiness assessment as they are objective, non-invasive, and can be recorded continuously during regular activities. Studies that have assessed the spontaneous eye blink as a drowsiness measure are diverse, varying greatly in respect to study design, eye blink acquisition technology and eye blink parameters assessed. The purpose of this narrative review is to collate these studies to determine 1) which eye blink parameters provide the best state drowsiness measures; 2) how well eye blink parameters relate to and predict conventional drowsiness measures and 3) whether eye blink parameters can identify drowsiness impairment in obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA) - a highly prevalent disorder associated with excessive sleepiness and increased accident risk. In summary, almost all eye blink parameters varied consistently with drowsiness state, with blink duration and percentage of eye closure the most robust. All eye blink parameters were associated with and predicted conventional drowsiness measures, with generally fair to good accuracy. Eye blink parameters also showed utility for identifying OSA patients and treatment response, suggesting these parameters may identify drowsiness impairment in this group.

Comorbidities, Health-Related Quality of Life, and Work Productivity Among People With Obstructive Sleep Apnea With Excessive Sleepiness: Findings From the 2016 US National Health and Wellness Survey.

STUDY OBJECTIVES: Few population-based studies have explored how excessive sleepiness (ES) contributes to burden of illness among patients with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). METHODS: This study utilized data from the annual, cross-sectional 2016 US National Health and Wellness Survey. Respondents self-reporting an OSA diagnosis were categorized as having ES (Epworth Sleepiness Scale [ESS] score ≥ 11) or not having ES (ESS score < 11). Comorbidities, health-related quality of life (HRQoL), and productivity were examined in three groups: OSA with ES (n = 731), OSA without ES (n = 1,452), and non-OSA controls (n = 86,961). RESULTS: The OSA with ES group had significantly higher proportions of respondents reporting depression (62.4% versus 48.0%), gastroesophageal reflux disease (39.0% versus 29.4%), asthma (26.3% versus 20.7%), and angina (7.8% versus 6.7%) compared to the OSA without ES group (P < .05). After controlling for covariates, the OSA with ES group had significantly lower (worse) scores for mental component score (41.81 versus 45.65 versus 47.81), physical component score (46.62 versus 48.68 versus 51.36), and SF-6D (0.65 versus 0.69 versus 0.73) compared with OSA without ES and non-OSA controls (all P < .001). The OSA with ES group had significantly higher (greater burden) mean rates of presenteeism (25.98% impairment versus 19.24% versus 14.75%), work impairment (29.41% versus 21.82% versus 16.85%), and activity impairment (31.09% versus 25.46% versus 19.93%) compared with OSA without ES and non-OSA controls (all P < .01) after controlling for covariates. CONCLUSIONS: OSA with ES is associated with higher prevalence of comorbidities, reduced HRQoL, and greater impairment in productivity compared to OSA without ES and compared to non-OSA controls.

Driving simulators in the clinical assessment of fitness to drive in sleepy individuals: A systematic review.

Road traffic injuries are projected to be the leading cause of death for those aged between 15 and 29 years by the year 2030, and sleepiness is estimated to be the underlying cause in up to 15-20% of all motor vehicle accidents. Sleepiness at the wheel is most often caused by socially induced sleep deprivation or poor sleep hygiene in otherwise healthy individuals, medical disorders, or the intake of drugs. Validated methods for objectifying sleepiness are urgently sought, particularly in the context of driving. Based on the assumption that the identification and treatment of sleepiness, and its causes, may prevent motor vehicle accidents, driving simulators are a seemingly promising diagnostic tool. Despite the rising use of these in research, the reliability of their conclusions in healthy sleepy individuals and patients is still unclear. This systematic review aims to evaluate the practical value of driving simulators in a clinical environment when judging fitness to drive in sleepy individuals. From the 1674 records screened, 12 studies in sleepy individuals containing both simulated and real driving data were included. In general, simulated driving did not reliably predict real-life motor vehicle accidents, and especially not on an individual level, despite the moderate relationship between simulated and real-road test driving performance. The severity of sleepiness is most likely not the critical factor leading to motor vehicle accidents, but rather the perception of sleepiness. The self-perception of sleepiness related impairment, and risky behaviour while at the wheel should also be considered as key influencing factors.

Clinicopathological case: progressive somnolence and dementia in an accountant: when the shine rubs off the gold standard.

A 63-year-old accountant developed progressive somnolence, cognitive decline, gait disturbance and cerebellar dysfunction with autonomic features. This report documents the clinicopathological conference at the 39th Edinburgh Advanced Neurology Course 2017.

Evaluación del riesgo de síndrome de apnea obstructiva del sueño y somnolencia diurna utilizando el cuestionario de Berlín y las escalas Sleep Apnea Clinical Score y Epworth en pacientes con ronquido habitual atendidos en la consulta ambulatoria / Risk assessment for Obstructive Sleep Apnea Syndrome and daytime sleepiness using Berlin questionnaire, and SACS and Epworth scales in outpatients with snoring attending consultation

Resumen Objetivos: Determinar la frecuencia de riesgo del Síndrome de Apnea Obstructiva del Sueño (SAOS) en pacientes atendidos en el consultorio externo de neumología de un hospital de referencia en Lima a través de los Cuestionarios de Berlín, Sleep Apnea Clinical Score (SACS) y la escala de Epworth. Métodos: Se realizó un estudio transversal en pacientes atendidos en los consultorios externos de neumología reclutando durante el período de enero a marzo de 2014 en forma prospectiva a aquellos pacientes que referían presentar ronquido habitual. Se determinó la frecuencia de riesgo de SAOS de acuerdo a cada una de las escalas evaluadas y sus factores asociados. Resultados: Se estudiaron 230 sujetos, 56,5% eran varones y el 43,5% mujeres, con una edad media de 50 ± 12 años. El 61,8%, 66,9% y 62,6% tenían riesgo moderado o alto para SAOS de acuerdo a las escalas de Epworth, SACS y Berlin respectivamente. El perímetro de cuello, circunferencia abdominal e índice de masa corporal fueron las características asociadas de manera más consistente con el riesgo de SAOS. La correlación entre las escalas de SACS y Berlin fue de 0,55, entre las escalas SACS y Epworth de 0,22 y entre Berlín y Epworth de 0,35 (p < 0,001 para todas las comparaciones). Conclusiones: El riesgo de SAOS y somnolencia diurna es elevado en pacientes roncadores atendidos en la consulta externa de neumología. Las escalas evaluadas presentan una correlación menor que lo esperada. Se requieren estudios a mayor escala y en población general que comparen el valor diagnóstico y pronóstico de estas escalas utilizando la polisomnografía como estándar de referencia.

Objectives: To determine the frequency of risk for the obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSA) through clinical predictors: Berlin Questionnaire, Sleep Apnea Clinical Score (SACS) and the degree of daytime sleepiness measured by Epworth scale. Material and Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among patients who reported snoring seen by pulmonology in the outpatient clinic between January and March 2014. Frequency of OSA was calculated according to the three clinical prediction rules. We also determine the characteristic associated with a high risk of OSA according to each prediction rule. Results: We recruited 230 participants, 56.5% were male, with a mean age of 50 ± 12 years. The risk of moderate or high risk for OSA was 61.8%, 66.9% and 62.6% according to Epworth somnolence scale, SACS and Berlin questionnaire, respectively. Neck circumference, abdominal circumference and body mass index were the characteristics more consistently associated with OSA risk. Correlation between SACS and Berlin prediction rules was 0.55, between SACS and Epworth scale was 0.22 and between Berlin and Epworth scale was 0.35 (p < 0.001 for all comparisons). Conclusions: There is a high risk for OSA among snoring patients attending respiratory outpatient clinic. The correlation between prediction rules evaluated was lower than expected. Larger studies in general populations using polysomnography as a reference standard are needed to clarify the diagnostic and prognostic value of OSA prediction rules.

Subjective and Objective Assessment of Hypersomnolence.

This article describes clinical approaches to assessing sleepiness. Subjective sleep scales are used in clinical settings but have significant limitations. Likewise, objective tools may have prohibitive expense, and practical administration considerations may prohibit regular use. Gold standard tests include the multiple sleep latency test and maintenance of wakefulness test. These studies are criticized for a variety of reasons but are useful in appropriate clinical context. New tools suggest novel ways to assess sleepiness and will likely be more prominent in clinical assessments over time. This article outlines subjective scales and objective tools and suggests situations where particular instruments may be appropriate.