Permanent standard time is the optimal choice for health and safety: an American Academy of Sleep Medicine position statement.

The period of the year from spring to fall, when clocks in most parts of the United States are set one hour ahead of standard time, is called daylight saving time, and its beginning and ending dates and times are set by federal law. The human biological clock is regulated by the timing of light and darkness, which then dictates sleep and wake rhythms. In daily life, the timing of exposure to light is generally linked to the social clock. When the solar clock is misaligned with the social clock, desynchronization occurs between the internal circadian rhythm and the social clock. The yearly change between standard time and daylight saving time introduces this misalignment, which has been associated with risks to physical and mental health and safety, as well as risks to public health. In 2020, the American Academy of Sleep Medicine (AASM) published a position statement advocating for the elimination of seasonal time changes, suggesting that evidence best supports the adoption of year-round standard time. This updated statement cites new evidence and support for permanent standard time. It is the position of the AASM that the United States should eliminate seasonal time changes in favor of permanent standard time, which aligns best with human circadian biology. Evidence supports the distinct benefits of standard time for health and safety, while also underscoring the potential harms that result from seasonal time changes to and from daylight saving time. CITATION: Rishi MA, Cheng JY, Strang AR, et al. Permanent standard time is the optimal choice for health and safety: an American Academy of Sleep Medicine position statement. J Clin Sleep Med. 2024;20(1):121-125.

Obstructive sleep apnea in late-onset Pompe disease treated by enzyme replacement therapy.

Obstructive sleep apnea is a common complication of Pompe disease. Treatment for obstructive sleep apnea in patients with Pompe disease is similar to treatment in the general population, typically involving positive airway pressure therapy. We present a case in which a patient with late-onset Pompe disease was able to discontinue positive airway pressure therapy after treatment with enzyme replacement therapy for his Pompe disease. It is likely that an improvement in muscle tone from the enzyme replacement therapy was sufficient to eliminate his obstructive sleep apnea. Pharmacological therapies for obstructive sleep apnea are lacking but could apply to certain populations, such as Pompe disease.