Effectiveness of antidepressants in improving the prognosis of COVID-19: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

OBJECTIVE, AND MATERIAL AND METHODS: A systematic review and meta-analysis was performed to evaluate the effectiveness of antidepressants in reducing the poor evolution of COVID-19 disease (a composite variable including death, hospitalization and need for mechanical ventilation), and mortality, according the guidelines for Systematic Reviews of Interventions published by the Cochrane library. SOURCE OF DATA: MEDLINE, EMBASE and COCHRANE LIBRARY were consulted up to February 25, 2022. Unpublished studies were searched on clinicaltrials.gov platform. SELECTION OF STUDIES: Seven masked and unmasked, observational and experimental studies evaluating death, hospitalization and need for mechanical ventilation were selected. A second subgroup analysis with mortality variable was performed. DATA EXTRACTION: A full risk of bias assessment was performed addressing issues such as information and confounding bias. ROB2 and Robins-I tools for randomized and no randomized studies were employed respectively. In the quantitative analysis, the risk of publication bias, heterogeneity, estimation of pooled measure and a sensitivity analysis was performed. The pooled final measure was calculated as odds ratio with its correspondent 95% confidence interval. A random effects model was used for this purpose due to the heterogeneity between included studies. Finally, a sensitivity analysis was performed to assess the robustness of final pooled measure. RESULTS: Seven studies were finally considered to calculate the final pooled measure. The effect of intervention was OR 0.73; 95% CI 0.56-0.94. CONCLUSIONS: The use of antidepressants, and specially SSRI could be effective for reducing the risk of poor progression of COVID-19 disease.

Patient compliance and satisfaction with a new forehead device for positional obstructive sleep apnoea treatment: a post hoc analysis of a randomised controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: The influence of body position in obstructive sleep apnoea patients is well known. A positional therapy device placed at the forehead has proven to be effective in reducing the severity of positional obstructive sleep apnoea (POSA) symptoms. The aim of the study was to evaluate patients' therapy compliance and satisfaction in the short term and mid-term. METHODS: A post hoc analysis of a randomised controlled trial was conducted using an inactive device (ID) or an active device (AD) for 3 months. The primary outcomes were device usage and the percentage of patients with good compliance (defined as device use for more than 4 hours per night and more than 70% of nights per week). Secondary outcomes included time spent with head in the supine position, patient satisfaction and side effects. RESULTS: The median duration of using the device was 6.9 hours in the ID group and 6.7 hours in the AD group (p=0.309), and the durations were similar throughout the follow-up period and from the first day of use. The percentage of patients with good compliance was similar and greater than 60% in both groups. The median time spent with head in the supine position was significantly lower in the AD group (2.9%) than in the ID group (12.4%) since the first day of treatment. Both groups showed satisfaction scores values above 8.5 (out of 10) in all items, while side effects were scarcely reported. CONCLUSION: High device compliance was achieved in POSA patients, both in terms of device usage time and percentage of days used. Patients were highly satisfied, and the device effectively reduced the time spent with the head in the supine position from the first day of use.

The Impact of Digital Health on Smoking Cessation.

BACKGROUND: Smartphones have become useful tools for medicine, with the use of specific apps making it possible to bring health care closer to inaccessible areas, continuously monitor a patient's pathology at any time and place, promote healthy habits, and ultimately improve patients' quality of life and the efficiency of the health care system. Since 2020, the use of smartphones has reached unprecedented levels. There are more than 350,000 health apps, according to a 2021 IQVIA Institute report, that address, among other things, the management of patient appointments; communication among different services or professionals; the promotion of lifestyle changes related to adopting healthy habits; and the monitoring of different pathologies and chronic conditions, including smoking cessation. The number of mobile apps for quitting smoking is high. As early as 2017, a total of 177 unique smoking cessation-relevant apps were identified in the iPhone App Store, 139 were identified in Google Play, 70 were identified in the BlackBerry app store, and 55 were identified in the Windows Phone Store, but very few have adequate scientific support. It seems clear that efforts are needed to assess the quality of these apps, as well as their effectiveness in different population groups, to have tools that offer added value to standard practices. OBJECTIVE: This viewpoint aims to highlight the benefits of mobile health (mHealth) and its potential as an adjuvant tool in health care. METHODS: A review of literature and other data sources was performed in order to show the current status of mobile apps that can offer support for smoking cessation. For this purpose, the PubMed, Embase, and Cochrane databases were explored between May and November 2022. RESULTS: In terms of smoking cessation, mHealth has become a powerful coadjuvant tool that allows health workers to perform exhaustive follow-ups for the process of quitting tobacco and provide support anytime and anywhere. mHealth tools are effective for different groups of smokers (eg, pregnant women, patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, patients with mental illness, and the general population) and are cost-effective, generating savings for the health system. However, there are some patient characteristics that can predict the success of using mobile apps in the smoking cessation process, such as the lower age of patients, dependence on tobacco, the number of quit attempts, and the previous use of mobile apps, among others. Therefore, it is preferable to offer these tools to patients with a higher probability of quitting tobacco. CONCLUSIONS: mHealth is a promising tool for helping smokers in the smoking cessation process. There is a need for well-designed clinical studies and economic evaluations to jointly assess the effectiveness of new interventions in different population groups, as well as their impact on health care resources.

Factors associated with the workload of health professionals in hospital at home: a systematic review.

BACKGROUND: Understanding the factors related to workload, could help hospital at home (HaH) managers to make decisions on the most appropriate and efficient use of the HaH services. Published studies on this topic are scarce, so we have conducted a systematic review to identify such factors according to published evidence. METHODS: Due to the heterogeneity of HaH models, HaH was defined as a care that provides a set of medical and nursing care and attention of hospital rank to patients at home, when they no longer require hospital infrastructure but still need active monitoring and complex care. The electronic data base literature search was conducted in MEDLINE (Ovid), EMBASE (Ovid), and Cinahl (EBSCOhost) from inception to December 2021, including grey literature. Search terms related to `hospital at home´, `workload´ and `care time´ were used. There was no restriction on language, type of study or year of publication. Quality of included studies was assessed using the Critical Appraisal Skills Programme (CASP) checklist and certainty in the body of evidence was assessed using the GRADE Pro Tool. Results were summarised in a tabulated format. RESULTS: Eighteen studies with 56,706 patients were included. Workload was measured as time, number of visits or both. The predictive factors of the workload included variables related to patient characteristics and other valid and reliable patient classification systems, as well as characteristics of the institutions where the studies were conducted. The factors associated with higher workloads were: being older, male, living in a rural environment, presenting a higher number of diagnoses, having worse functional status and being unable to assume self-care. CONCLUSIONS: The identified predictors of workload are mostly associated with home nursing care. The results could be useful and applicable to different organisational models of HaH health systems. More studies that include physicians and proxy measures of workload are needed.

Documento internacional de consenso sobre apnea obstructiva del sueño / International Consensus Document on Obstructive Sleep Apnea

El objetivo principal de este documento internacional de consenso sobre apnea obstructiva del sueño es proporcionar unas directrices que permitan a los profesionales sanitarios tomar las mejores decisiones en la asistencia de los pacientes adultos con esta enfermedad según un resumen crítico de la literatura más actualizada. El grupo de trabajo de expertos se ha constituido principalmente por 17 sociedades científicas y 56 especialistas con amplia representación geográfica (con la participación de 4 sociedades internacionales), además de un metodólogo experto y un documentalista del Centro Cochrane Iberoamericano. El documento consta de un manuscrito principal, con las novedades más relevantes, y una serie de manuscritos online que recogen las búsquedas bibliográficas sistemáticas de cada uno de los apartados del documento internacional de consenso. Este documento no cubre la edad pediátrica ni el manejo del paciente en ventilación mecánica crónica no invasiva (que se publicarán en sendos documentos de consenso aparte). Palabras clave: Apnea obstructiva del sueño Diagnóstico Tratamiento

The main aim of this international consensus document on obstructive sleep apnea is to provide guidelines based on a critical analysis of the latest literature to help health professionals make the best decisions in the care of adult patients with this disease. The expert working group was formed primarily of 17 scientific societies and 56 specialists from a wide geographical area (including the participation of 4 international societies), an expert in methodology, and a documentalist from the Iberoamerican Cochrane Center. The document consists of a main section containing the most significant innovations and a series of online manuscripts that report the systematic literature searches performed for each section of the international consensus document. This document does not discuss pediatric patients or the management of patients receiving chronic non-invasive mechanical ventilation (these topics will be addressed in separate consensus documents). Keywords: Obstructive sleep apnea Diagnosis Treatment

International Consensus Document on Obstructive Sleep Apnea. / Documento internacional de consenso sobre apnea obstructiva del sueño.

The main aim of this international consensus document on obstructive sleep apnea is to provide guidelines based on a critical analysis of the latest literature to help health professionals make the best decisions in the care of adult patients with this disease. The expert working group was formed primarily of 17 scientific societies and 56 specialists from a wide geographical area (including the participation of 4 international societies), an expert in methodology, and a documentalist from the Iberoamerican Cochrane Center. The document consists of a main section containing the most significant innovations and a series of online manuscripts that report the systematic literature searches performed for each section of the international consensus document. This document does not discuss pediatric patients or the management of patients receiving chronic non-invasive mechanical ventilation (these topics will be addressed in separate consensus documents).

New forehead device in positional obstructive sleep apnoea: a randomised clinical trial.

RATIONALE: Approximately 60% of the patients with obstructive sleep apnoea suffer from a positional effect, and approximately 25% of these patients present events only in the supine position. OBJECTIVE: To validate a new positional vibrating device and evaluate its efficacy in reducing the Apnoea-Hypopnoea Index and the total sleep time in the supine position without disturbing sleep. METHODS: A total of 128 patients were recruited for this multicentre, prospective, parallel, randomised controlled trial and were distributed in three arms (general recommendations, inactive and active device). Full overnight polysomnography was performed at baseline and at 12 weeks. Anthropometric variables and sleep and quality of life questionnaires were collected at 4, 8 and 12 weeks. RESULTS: The Apnoea-Hypopnoea Index decreased from 30.6 per hour to 20.4 per hour (p<0.001) in the active device (AD) group. In this group the reduction was 2.3-fold and 3.3-fold than the ones in the general recommendations (GR) and inactive device (ID) groups, respectively (p=0.014). Sleep time in supine position decreased 17.7%±26.3% in GR group (p<0.001), 13.0%±22.4% with ID group (p<0.001) and 21.0%±25.6% in the AD group (p<0.001). Furthermore, total sleep time increased significantly only in the AD group (22.1±57.5 min, p=0.016), with an increased percentage of time in the N3 (deep sleep) and N3+REM (rapid eye movement) stages, without sleep fragmentation. CONCLUSION: The device was effective in reducing the Apnoea-Hypopnoea Index and time spent in the supine position also in improving sleep architecture. Therefore, the device could be a good option for the management of patients with positional obstructive sleep apnoea. TRIAL REGISTRATION DETAILS: The trial was registered at www.clinicaltrials.gov (NCT03336515).

El manejo de los episodios de diarrea atendidos en Atención Primaria / Management of diarrhea episodes attended in Primary Care

No disponible

Interleukin 6 as a marker of depression in women with sleep apnea.

Depression is common in women with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), but objective markers of depression have not yet been explored in such patients. We hypothesized that inflammation and antioxidant biomarkers may be associated with depression in a cohort of OSA women. We conducted a multicentre, cross-sectional study in 247 women diagnosed with moderate-to-severe OSA. Depression was assessed by the depression subscale of the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Questionnaire (HAD-D) and defined as a score ≥11. Associations between tumour necrosis factor α (TNFα), interleukin 6 (IL-6), C-reactive protein (CRP), intercellular adhesion molecule 1 (ICAM-1), catalase (CAT), superoxide dismutase (SOD) and brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) plasma levels and depression were assessed. The women had a median (25th-75th percentiles) age of 58 (51-65) years, body mass index (BMI) of 33.5 (29.0-38.3) Kg/m2 , Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS) score of 10 (6-13) and apnea-hypopnea index (AHI) of 33.3 (22.8-49.3). Logistic regression analyses revealed that only IL6 levels were associated with the presence of depression (adjusted odds ratio [OR], 1.20; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.08-1.34), whereas linear regression further confirmed that IL6 levels were significantly associated with HAD-D scores (ß = .154; 95% CI, 0.03-0.30). Multivariate regression analysis showed that IL6 (OR, 1.22; 95% CI, 1.09-1.36), ESS (OR, 1.10; 95% CI 1.02-1.19) and physical activity <30 min/day (OR, 2.51; 95% CI, 1.25-5.05) were independent predictors of depression. Thus, we conclude that in a cohort of women with moderate-to-severe OSA, IL6 levels are independently associated with the presence of depression and correlate with depression scores. Low physical activity and higher ESS scores are also independent indicators of risk of depression in this population.

Effect of continuous positive airway pressure on inflammatory, antioxidant, and depression biomarkers in women with obstructive sleep apnea: a randomized controlled trial.

STUDY OBJECTIVES: The effect of continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) on mediators of cardiovascular disease and depression in women with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is unknown. We aimed to assess the effect of CPAP therapy on a variety of biomarkers of inflammation, antioxidant activity, and depression in women with OSA. METHODS: We conducted a multicenter, randomized controlled trial in 247 women diagnosed with moderate-to-severe OSA (apnea-hypopnea index [AHI] ≥ 15). Women were randomized to CPAP (n = 120) or conservative treatment (n = 127) for 12 weeks. Changes in tumor necrosis factor α (TNFα), interleukin 6 (IL-6), C-reactive protein (CRP), intercellular adhesion molecule 1 (ICAM-1), catalase (CAT), superoxide dismutase (SOD), and brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) were assessed. Additional analyses were conducted in subgroups of clinical interest. RESULTS: Women had a median (25th-75th percentiles) age of 58 (51-65) years, body mass index 33.5 (29.0-38.3) kg/m2, and AHI 33.3 (22.8-49.3). No differences were found between groups in the baseline levels of the biomarkers. After 12 weeks of follow-up, there were no changes between groups in any of the biomarkers assessed. These results did not change when the analyses were restricted to sleepy women or to those with severe OSA. In women with CPAP use at least 5 hours per night, only TNFα levels decreased compared to the control group (-0.29 ± 1.1 vs -0.06 ± 0.53, intergroup difference -0.23 [95% CI = -0.03 to -0.50]; p = 0.043). CONCLUSIONS: Twelve weeks of CPAP therapy does not improve biomarkers of inflammation, antioxidant activity, or depression compared to conservative treatment in women with moderate-to-severe OSA. TRIAL REGISTRATION: NCT02047071.

A new postural device for the treatment of positional obstructive sleep apnea. A pilot study.

BACKGROUND: Approximately 60% of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) diagnoses are position-dependent, and avoidance of the supine position could represent an effective treatment. Nevertheless, the majority of the available anti-supine treatments result in discomfort and low adherence. This study evaluated the effectiveness of a new vibrating supine avoidance device in reducing time spent in the supine position and the apnea-hypopnea index (AHI) without affecting sleep structure. Furthermore, the tolerability and satisfaction were also scored. METHODS: Observational prospective study of patients suffering from positional OSA. They were treated with a vibrating device and followed up at the first and fourth weeks after starting the treatment, and further polysomnographic studies were conducted while patients' wore the device. The comparison of the results was carried out through non-parametric tests. Significance level was 5%. RESULTS: Twelve patients had complete data. The device reduced time spent in the supine position (from 51.5 ±â€¯14.8% to 25.2 ±â€¯21.0%, p = 0.005), median AHI (from 30.7 (23.2-38.2) at baseline to 21.5 (12.4-24.3) at the fourth week, p = 0.002). Also an improvement in the minimum SaO2 (from 82.2 ±â€¯7.5 to 87.2 ±â€¯3.6 at the 4th week) was also observed. No variations in sleep quality or quantity were identified. All patients evaluated the device positively. CONCLUSION: Our device was effective in reducing the time spent in the supine position and improving AHI, SaO2 variables and sleep architecture. The device was well tolerated by the patients.

Continuous Positive Airway Pressure Treatment Does not Reduce Uric Acid Levels in OSA Women / La presión positiva continua en las vías aéreas no reduce los niveles de ácido úrico en las mujeres con SAOS

Objectives: Although an association between uric acid (UA) levels and obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) has been reported, the effect of continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) on this measure is yet unclear. We aimed to investigate the effect of CPAP therapy on serum UA levels in patients with OSA. Methods: We conducted a multicenter, open-label, randomized controlled trial in 307 women diagnosed with moderate-to-severe OSA (apnea-hypopnea index [AHI] ≥ 15) in 19 Spanish Sleep Units. Women were randomized to CPAP (n = 151) or conservative treatment (n = 156) for 12 weeks. Changes in serum UA measures were assessed on an intention-to-treat basis. Additional analyses were conducted in the subgroup of women with CPAP adherence ≥ 4 h/night and those with UA levels ≥ 6 mg/dl. Results: Women had a mean (SD) age of 57.1 (10.1) years, median (first-third quartile) body mass index of 33.7 (29.0-38.5) mg/kg2 and AHI of 32.0 (22.6-48.5). The average serum UA measure was 5.11 (1.26) mg/dl, and 80 (26.1%) participants had UA ≥ 6 mg/dl. Compared with the control group, the CPAP group did not achieve any reduction in UA levels (non-adjusted intergroup difference -0.03mg/dl, 95%CI -0.20 to 0.13; p = 0.702) after 12 weeks of follow-up. These results did not change when the analysis was restricted to women with CPAP adherence ≥4 h/night, or the subgroup of women with hyperuricemia. Conclusions: Twelve weeks of CPAP therapy does not reduce UA levels compared to conservative treatment in women with moderate-to-severe OSA

Objetivos: Aunque se ha determinado una asociación entre los niveles de ácido úrico (AU) y el síndrome de apnea obstructiva del sueño (SAOS), el efecto de la presión positiva continua en las vías aéreas (CPAP) en esta medida todavía no está claro. El objetivo fue determinar el efecto de la CPAP en los niveles séricos de AU en pacientes con SAOS. Métodos: Se llevó a cabo un ensayo abierto, aleatorizado, controlado, multicéntrico en 307 mujeres diagnosticadas con SAOS de moderado a grave (índice de apneas-hipopneas [IAH]≥15) en 19 unidades del sueño españolas. Fueron aleatorizadas a recibir CPAP (n=151) o tratamiento conservador (n=156) durante 12 semanas. Los cambios en las medidas de AU sérico se estimaron mediante análisis por intención de tratar. Se llevaron a cabo análisis adicionales en el subgrupo de mujeres con adherencia a CPAP ≥ 4 h/noche y en aquellas con niveles de AU ≥ 6mg/dl. Resultados: La edad media (DE) de las participantes fue 57,1 (10,1) años, la mediana (primer y tercer cuartil) del índice de masa corporal 33,7 (29,0-38,5) mg/kg2 y el IAH 32,0 (22,6-48,5). El nivel medio de AU fue 5,11 (1,26) mg/dl, y 80 (26,1%) participantes tuvieron AU≥6mg/dl. Comparado con el grupo control, el grupo CPAP no consiguió ninguna reducción de los niveles de AU (diferencia intergrupo no ajustada: -0,03 mg/dl; IC 95%: -0,20-0,13; p= 0,702) tras 12 semanas de seguimiento. El análisis no varió cuando se restringió a las mujeres con adherencia a CPAP ≥ 4h/noche o al subgrupo de mujeres con hiperuricemia. Conclusiones: Doce semanas de terapia con CPAP no reducen los niveles de AU en comparación con el tratamiento conservador en mujeres con SAOS de moderado a grave

Prevalencia de sobrepeso y obesidad infantil. Estudio de una cohorte en Castilla y León, España / Prevalence of overweight and obesity in child population. A study of a cohort in Castile and Leon, Spain

Introducción: Varios estudios advierten que el sobrepeso y la obesidad se han convertido en una epidemia con graves consecuencias sobre la salud de la población. El objetivo del presente estudio es estimar la prevalencia de sobrepeso y obesidad en Castilla y León en una muestra de niños a los 6, 11 y 14 años de edad, describir su evolución y su asociación con hábitos de vida y antecedentes. Metodología: Estudio observacional, de cohorte retrospectivo, realizado por los pediatras de la Red Centinela Sanitaria, que se enmarca en un proyecto conjunto con el Centro Nacional de Investigación sobre la Evolución Humana de Burgos para conocer el patrón de crecimiento y desarrollo de la población infantil de Castilla y León. En 2012 se realizó un examen de salud y una recogida retrospectiva a partir de la historia clínica en una muestra de 326 niños, de la cohorte de nacidos en 1998. Resultados: Según los criterios de la OMS, a los 14 años había un 25,3% de sobrepeso entre los niños y un 18,5% entre las niñas. En cuanto a la obesidad, esta afectaba al 8,2 y 4,8%, respectivamente. A los 11 años se produce un pico de sobrepeso en las niñas y de obesidad en los niños. El entorno urbano-no urbano, la calidad y duración del sueño, así como el índice de masa corporal (IMC) de los padres han sido algunos de los factores asociados con el peso de los niños. Discusión: En Castilla y León, como en otras poblaciones de nuestro entorno, existe un grave problema de sobrepeso y obesidad infantil. Para su control, es necesario profundizar sobre los estilos de vida y los antecedentes relacionados con el nacimiento, así como el cálculo de la velocidad de crecimiento en la edad pediátrica

Introduction: Several studies warn that overweight and obesity have become an epidemic with severe consequences in the population's health. The objetive of the present study is to estimate the prevalence of overweight and obesity in Castile and Leon in a sample of children at 6, 11 and 14 years of age, to describe its evolution and its association with life habits and antecedents. Material and methods: Observational study, retrospective cohort, performed by the pediatricians of the Health Sentinel Network. The study is part of a joint Project with the National Research Center on Human Evolution (CENIEH) in Burgos to know the pattern of growth and development of the child population of Castile and Leon. In 2012, a health examination and a retrospective collection were carried out based on the clinical history of a simple of 326 children, from the cohort was born in 1998. Results: Following the WHO references, at age 14 there was 25.3% of boys and 18.5% of girls with overweight. Obesity was estimated to affect the 8.2% and 4.8% of them respectively. At 11 years of age there was the maximum of overweight in girls and of obesity in boys. At the urban-non urban environment, quantity and quality of sleep and the parents' BMI have been some of the associated factors to weight level of the children. Discussion: In Castile and Leon, as in other populations of our environment, there is a severe problema of overweight and obesity. For their control it is necesary to deepen understanding of lifestyles and antecedents related to the birth as well as to calculate the growth rate in the pediatric age

Prevalence of overweight and obesity in child population. A study of a cohort in Castile and Leon, Spain. / Prevalencia de sobrepeso y obesidad infantil. Estudio de una cohorte en Castilla y León, España.

INTRODUCTION: Several studies warn that overweight and obesity have become an epidemic with severe consequences in the population's health. The objetive of the present study is to estimate the prevalence of overweight and obesity in Castile and Leon in a sample of children at 6, 11 and 14 years of age, to describe its evolution and its association with life habits and antecedents. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Observational study, retrospective cohort, performed by the pediatricians of the Health Sentinel Network. The study is part of a joint Project with the National Research Center on Human Evolution (CENIEH) in Burgos to know the pattern of growth and development of the child population of Castile and Leon. In 2012, a health examination and a retrospective collection were carried out based on the clinical history of a simple of 326 children, from the cohort was born in 1998. RESULTS: Following the WHO references, at age 14 there was 25.3% of boys and 18.5% of girls with overweight. Obesity was estimated to affect the 8.2% and 4.8% of them respectively. At 11 years of age there was the maximum of overweight in girls and of obesity in boys. At the urban-non urban environment, quantity and quality of sleep and the parents' BMI have been some of the associated factors to weight level of the children. DISCUSSION: In Castile and Leon, as in other populations of our environment, there is a severe problema of overweight and obesity. For their control it is necesary to deepen understanding of lifestyles and antecedents related to the birth as well as to calculate the growth rate in the pediatric age.

Continuous Positive Airway Pressure Treatment Does not Reduce Uric Acid Levels in OSA Women.

OBJECTIVES: Although an association between uric acid (UA) levels and obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) has been reported, the effect of continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) on this measure is yet unclear. We aimed to investigate the effect of CPAP therapy on serum UA levels in patients with OSA. METHODS: We conducted a multicenter, open-label, randomized controlled trial in 307 women diagnosed with moderate-to-severe OSA (apnea-hypopnea index [AHI]≥15) in 19 Spanish Sleep Units. Women were randomized to CPAP (n=151) or conservative treatment (n=156) for 12 weeks. Changes in serum UA measures were assessed on an intention-to-treat basis. Additional analyses were conducted in the subgroup of women with CPAP adherence ≥4h/night and those with UA levels ≥6mg/dl. RESULTS: Women had a mean (SD) age of 57.1 (10.1) years, median (first-third quartile) body mass index of 33.7 (29.0-38.5) mg/kg2 and AHI of 32.0 (22.6-48.5). The average serum UA measure was 5.11 (1.26) mg/dl, and 80 (26.1%) participants had UA≥6mg/dl. Compared with the control group, the CPAP group did not achieve any reduction in UA levels (non-adjusted intergroup difference -0.03mg/dl, 95%CI -0.20 to 0.13; p=0.702) after 12 weeks of follow-up. These results did not change when the analysis was restricted to women with CPAP adherence ≥4h/night, or the subgroup of women with hyperuricemia. CONCLUSIONS: Twelve weeks of CPAP therapy does not reduce UA levels compared to conservative treatment in women with moderate-to-severe OSA.

Metabolic biomarkers in community obese children: effect of obstructive sleep apnea and its treatment.

OBJECTIVE: Obesity and obstructive sleep apnea in children have been associated with metabolic morbidities. The present study aimed to evaluate the presence of metabolic alterations among obese children recruited from the community, with and without obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS), and the impact of treatment of OSAS on metabolic profiles. METHODS: A cross-sectional, prospective, multicenter study of Spanish children aged 3-14 years with a body mass index (BMI) ≥95th percentile for age and sex were randomly selected in the first phase. Four groups emerged for follow-up: (1) no treatment; (2) dietary intervention; (3) surgical treatment of OSA; and (4) continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) treatment of OSA. Fasting blood tests were performed at baseline (T0) and approximately one year after the intervention (T1). RESULTS: A total of 113 obese children with a mean age of 11.3 ± 2.9 years completed T0 and T1 assessments. Their mean BMI z-score at T1 was 1.34 ± 0.59, and mean Respiratory Disturbance Index was 8.6 ± 13.0 at T0 and 3.3 ± 4.0/hour total sleep time at T1. Only glucose fasting levels differed among metabolic parameters in obese children with OSAS and without OSAS at baseline (T0) (p = 0.018). There were statistically significant differences between surgically treated OSAS (p = 0.002), and CPAP-treated OSAS (p = 0.024) versus the non-OSAS group in the glucose levels between baseline (T0) and follow-up (T1) after controlling for age and change in BMI. Significant univariate associations between BMI and C-reactive protein, insulin, and homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance emerged at both T0 and T1. CONCLUSIONS: Concurrent obesity and OSAS could promote metabolic and inflammatory alterations, and the latter appeared to be sensitive to OSAS treatment outcomes. ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT01322763.

Calidad de vida y características asociadas del síndrome de piernas inquietas en la población adulta de Burgos, España / Quality of life and associated characteristics of restless legs syndrome in the adult population of Burgos, Spain

Introducción. El síndrome de piernas inquietas (SPI) es un trastorno neurológico con una prevalencia de hasta un 15%, cuyo impacto sobre la calidad de vida resulta poco conocido. Objetivo. Analizar el impacto del síndrome de piernas inquietas (SPI) en la calidad de vida relacionada con la salud. Sujetos y métodos. Estudio descriptivo transversal. Se incluyó una muestra aleatoria, estratificada por edad, de 1.275 sujetos mayores de 18 años en el área urbana de Burgos, con las estimaciones de prevalencia, 10%; alfa, 5%; precisión, 3%; y pérdidas, 70%, usando un estudio en dos fases (cribado y confirmación diagnóstica de casos de SPI y no casos por un médico). Los datos clínicos y sociodemográficos se recogieron usando cuestionarios semiestructurados: European Quality of Life-5 Dimensions, Restless Legs Syndrome Quality of Life Questionnaire, escala de Epworth, escala de Goldberg, escala del sueño y cuestionario internacional del síndrome de piernas inquietas. Resultados. La prevalencia del SPI fue del 5,6% (IC 95%: 2,5-8,7%). El 79,4% de los casos eran mujeres; sólo el 7% tenía un diagnóstico previo de SPI. El dolor intenso, el insomnio y la depresión-ansiedad fueron más frecuentes en los pacientes con SPI que en los controles (p < 0,001 en los tres casos). La calidad de vida entre los pacientes con SPI, especialmente en las mujeres, fue peor que en los controles (p < 0,001). En el 11,7% de los casos, el SPI produjo dificultades para trabajar. Conclusiones. El SPI está asociado con ansiedad-depresión, con un significativo impacto en el sueño, en las relaciones sociales y laborales, y en la calidad de vida relacionada con la salud (AU)

Introduction. Restless legs syndrome (RLS) is a neurological disorder with a prevalence of up to 15%, although little is known about its impact upon quality of life. Aim. To analyse the impact of RLS on health-related quality of life. Subjects and methods. A descriptive cross-sectional study. A random sample of 1,275 subjects over 18 years old, stratified by age, was taken from the urban area of Burgos, with an estimated prevalence, 10%; alpha, 5%; accuracy, 3%; and losses, 70%, using a two-phase study (screening and diagnosis of cases of RLS and non-cases confirmed by a doctor). The clinical and sociodemographic data were collected by means of semi-structured questionnaires, the European Quality of Life-5 Dimensions, the Restless Legs Syndrome Quality of Life Questionnaire, the Epworth Scale, the Goldberg Scale, the Sleep Scale and the International Restless Legs Syndrome Rating Scale. Results. The prevalence of RLS was 5.6% (CI 95%: 2.5-8.7%). Of the total number of cases, 79.4% were women and only 7% had been previously diagnosed with RLS. Intense pain, insomnia and depression-anxiety were more frequent among the cases of RLS than in the controls (p < 0.001 in the three cases). The quality of life among the cases of RLS, especially in women, was poorer than among the controls (p < 0.001). For 11.7% of the cases, RLS made it difficult for the patients to work. Conclusions. RLS is associated with depression-anxiety, with a significant impact on sleep, on social and work relationships, and on the health-related quality of life (AU)

Effect of continuous positive airway pressure on blood pressure and metabolic profile in women with sleep apnoea.

Continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) reduces blood pressure levels in hypertensive patients with obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA). However, the role of CPAP in blood pressure and the metabolic profile in women has not yet been assessed. In this study we investigated the effect of CPAP on blood pressure levels and the glucose and lipid profile in women with moderate-to-severe OSA.A multicentre, open-label, randomised controlled trial was conducted in 307 women diagnosed with moderate-to-severe OSA (apnoea-hypopnoea index ≥15 events·h-1) in 19 Spanish Sleep Units. Women were randomised to CPAP (n=151) or conservative treatment (n=156) for 12 weeks. Changes in office blood pressure measures as well as in the glucose and lipid profile were assessed in both groups.Compared with the control group, the CPAP group achieved a significantly greater decrease in diastolic blood pressure (-2.04 mmHg, 95% CI -4.02- -0.05; p=0.045), and a nonsignificantly greater decrease in systolic blood pressure (-1.54 mmHg, 95% CI -4.58-1.51; p=0.32) and mean blood pressure (-1.90 mmHg, 95% CI -4.0-0.31; p=0.084). CPAP therapy did not change any of the metabolic variables assessed.In women with moderate-to-severe OSA, 12 weeks of CPAP therapy improved blood pressure, especially diastolic blood pressure, but did not change the metabolic profile, compared with conservative treatment.