Respiratory infection risk in positive airway pressure therapy users: a retrospective cohort study.

STUDY OBJECTIVES: Concerns regarding the risk of positive airway pressure (PAP)-associated respiratory infection (RI) have shaped consumer views toward PAP device use and maintenance. However, data regarding temporal associations between PAP use and risk for RIs are limited. The purpose of the present study was to examine longitudinal associations between PAP use and risk of clinically significant RIs in a cohort of patients with obstructive sleep apnea. METHODS: The frequency of clinically reported respiratory RIs pre- and post-PAP use were compared in a sample of 482 adult patients with obstructive sleep apnea who underwent PAP titration at a large academic sleep center between 2011 and 2014. RIs were identified by clinical record review beginning two years before and ending two years after the participants' PAP titration. Presence of longitudinal standard PAP data download reports identified PAP users from nonusers. PAP adherence was defined as at least 4 hours of use per day, five days per week for at least 70% of days. Poisson regression models, adjusted for age, sex, body mass index, and the number of pre-PAP use RIs were utilized to examine associations between PAP use and subsequent RIs. RESULTS: Poisson regression models adjusted for age, sex, body mass index, and the number of pre-PAP use RIs did not show associations between PAP therapy use and rate of post-PAP use RIs (rate ratio = 1.27, 95% confidence interval: 0.86-1.86). A sensitivity analysis that included only PAP users with difference in PAP adherence showed similar results (rate ratio = 0.65, 95% confidence interval: 0.32-1.30). CONCLUSIONS: Among adults with obstructive sleep apnea, we did not find evidence for association between PAP use/adherence and increased RI frequency. These data offer new information that could assuage patients with obstructive sleep apnea who are considering PAP deferral based on RI concerns. CITATION: Gavidia R, Shieu MM, Dunietz GL, Braley TJ. Respiratory infection risk in positive airway pressure therapy users: a retrospective cohort study. J Clin Sleep Med. 2023;19(10):1769-1773.

Gender identity and transition: relationships with sleep disorders in US youth.

STUDY OBJECTIVES: Transgender or gender-nonconforming (TGNC) identity is associated with higher burden of sleep disorders relative to cisgender identity. However, the role of gender-affirming therapy (GAT) in sleep disorders is poorly understood. This study examined relationships between TGNC identity, transition, and sleep disorders among TGNC and cisgender youth. METHODS: This retrospective cross-sectional study utilized a large US-based administrative claims database (deidentified Optum Clinformatics Data Mart Database) to identify youth aged 12-25 years who obtained a diagnosis of TGNC identity and those who pursued GAT. Descriptive statistics estimated distributions of demographic and health characteristics by gender identity. Unadjusted and age-adjusted logistic regression models were used to examine associations between TGNC identity, GAT, and sleep disorders. RESULTS: This study included 1,216,044 youth, of which 2,603 (0.2%) were identified as TGNC. Among the 1,387 TGNC who pursued GAT, 868 and 519 were identified as transmasculine and transfeminine, respectively. Adjusted analysis showed increased odds of insomnia (odds ratio = 5.4, 95% confidence interval 4.7, 6.2), sleep apnea (odds ratio = 3.0, 95% confidence interval 2.3, 4.0), and other sleep disorders (odds ratio = 3.1, 95% confidence interval 2.5, 3.9) in TGNC relative to cisgender youth. Decreased odds of any sleep disorder were observed in the TGNC youth on GAT (odds ratio = 0.5, 95% confidence interval 0.4, 0.7) relative to those not on GAT. CONCLUSIONS: This study demonstrated a high burden of sleep disorders in TGNC youth in comparison to cisgender. However, GAT may confer a protective effect on sleep disorders among TGNC youth. Longitudinal assessments of sleep disorders prior to and post-GAT are needed to uncover their temporal relationships. CITATION: Gavidia R, Whitney DG, Hershner S, Selkie EM, Tauman R, Dunietz GL. Gender identity and transition: relationships with sleep disorders in US youth. J Clin Sleep Med. 2022;18(11):2553-2559.

Risk of obstructive sleep apnea after treatment of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma: a cross-sectional study.

STUDY OBJECTIVES: Head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) or its treatment may be associated with an increased risk of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). However, reported relationships between OSA risk factors and HNSCC are inconsistent. This study examined associations between tumor variables and risk of OSA at least 1 year after completion of treatment for HNSCC. METHODS: This cross-sectional study included HNSCC patients of a large academic medical center. Inclusion criteria were age ≥ 18 years, cancer free for at least 1 year, and absence of tracheostomy or mental impairment. The STOP-BANG questionnaire, with a threshold ≥ 3, was used to classify HNSCC patients into elevated and low OSA risk. Tumor characteristics and treatment types were obtained from medical records. Descriptive statistics were used to compare characteristics between OSA risk groups. Unadjusted and age-adjusted logistic and linear regression models were used to explore associations between exposures and OSA risk. RESULTS: Among 67 participants, 85% were males, mean age was 62.0 years (8.0 standard deviation), mean body mass index was 28.7 kg/m2 (4.6 standard deviation), and mean neck circumference was 16.3 inches (1.2 standard deviation). Three-quarters of participants received chemoradiation only. Elevated OSA risk was observed in 60% of the participants. Tumor location, tumor stage, and type of cancer treatment were not different between OSA risk groups. Hyperlipidemia was more common in the elevated OSA risk group vs the low-risk group (n = 16, 40% vs n = 2, 7%, P = .004). Age-adjusted analysis showed a trend toward 2-fold increased odds of elevated OSA risk in patients with tumors at the base of the tongue in comparison to other locations (odds ratio = 2.3, 95% confidence interval 0.9, 6.4). No associations between tumor stage, cancer treatment, and elevated OSA risk were observed. CONCLUSIONS: Elevated OSA risk was common after HNSCC treatment. However, measured HNSCC characteristics generally were not different between elevated and low OSA risk groups. Given the high frequency of OSA that appears likely to exist in HNSCC patients, clinicians should inquire about OSA features in patients with a history of HNSCC. CITATION: Gavidia R, Dunietz GL, O'Brien LM, et al. Risk of obstructive sleep apnea after treatment of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma: a cross-sectional study. J Clin Sleep Med. 2022;18(6):1681-1686.

Validation of an obstructive sleep apnea symptom inventory in persons with multiple sclerosis.

BACKGROUND: Improved screening for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) could enhance multiple sclerosis (MS) clinical care; yet the utility of current screening tools for OSA have yet to be evaluated in persons with multiple sclerosis (PwMS). OBJECTIVES: The STOP-Bang Questionnnaire is an 8-item screening tool for OSA that is commonly used in non-MS samples. The aim of this study was to assess the validity of the STOP-Bang in PwMS. METHODS: STOP-Bang and polysomnography data were analyzed from n = 200 PwMS. Sensitivity, specificity, positive-, and negative-predictive value (PPV and NPV) were calculated, with receiving operating characteristic (ROC) curves, for each STOP-Bang threshold score, against polysomnography-confirmed OSA diagnosis at three apnea severity thresholds (mild, moderate, and severe). RESULTS: Nearly 70% had a STOP-Bang score of ⩾3% and 78% had OSA. The STOP-Bang at a threshold score of 3 provided sensitivities of 87% and 91% to detect moderate and severe OSA, respectively; and NPV of 84% and 95% to identify PwMS without moderate or severe OSA, respectively. Sensitivity to detect milder forms of OSA was 76%. The NPV to identify persons without milder forms of OSA was 40%. CONCLUSION: The STOP-Bang Questionnaire is an effective tool to screen for moderate and severe OSA in PwMS, but may be insufficient to exclude mild OSA.

Associations Between Transgender Identity, Sleep, Mental Health and Suicidality Among a North American Cohort of College Students.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study is to examine the associations between transgender identity, sleep, and mental health among a North American cohort of cisgender and transgender college students. PARTICIPANTS AND METHODS: This cross-sectional study surveyed 221,549 North American college students from the 2016-2017 American College Health Association-National College Health Assessment II. Bivariate and multivariable analysis examined associations among transgender identity and outcomes of insomnia symptoms, daytime sleepiness, sleep disorder diagnoses and treatments. Mental health outcomes included mood symptoms, suicidal behaviors, anxiety and depression diagnoses and treatments. RESULTS: Transgender identity was reported by 1.6% (n=3471) of United States (US) and 1.7% (n=717) Canadian students, respectively. Mean age was 22.5 ±6. Transgender college students have an increased prevalence of daytime sleepiness, insomnia symptoms, diagnoses and/or treatment of insomnia and other sleep disorders as compared to cisgender college students. Mental Health symptoms are more prevalent with a 2-fold increase in depression and anxiety and nearly a 4-fold increase in suicide attempts among transgender students. A higher burden of mood symptoms exists among transgender college students in the US in comparison to Canadian students. CONCLUSION: Transgender college students have an alarmingly high rate of mood, sleep disturbances and sleep diagnoses, and suicidality. Colleges and universities must provide sufficient resources to address the sleep and mental health needs of transgender students. Institutions must adopt gender affirming policies that promote an inclusive environment. Increased allocation of resources and adoption of policies that enhance the physical and mental health of transgender students could improve sleep, mood, and potentially lower the suicide risk among a population that often experiences health inequities.

Obstructive sleep apnea in patients with head and neck cancer: a systematic review.

STUDY OBJECTIVES: Head and neck cancers (HNCs) may modify the upper airway anatomy and thereby increase the risk for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). If untreated, OSA is associated with adverse outcomes. Identification of risk factors for OSA in patients with HNC is essential to promote proper evaluation, treatment, and improvement of sleep-related outcomes. In this review, we assessed associations between tumor stage, cancer treatment, and OSA in the population with HNC. METHODS: A systematic search of PubMed, EMBASE (Embase.com), Cochrane Library (Cochranelibrary.com), Scopus, and Web of Science was conducted to identify articles related to OSA in patients with HNC. A total of 215 articles were identified, of which 14 were included in the qualitative synthesis. These studies included 387 participants. RESULTS: The most common cancer type, tumor location, and cancer therapy were squamous cell carcinoma, oropharynx, and surgery, respectively. Three of six articles reported an association between surgical treatment and OSA. Conversely, associations between tumor stage, radiotherapy, and OSA were found in only a minority of studies (15%). The prevalence of OSA was between 57% and 76% pre-cancer therapy and 12% and 96% afterward. CONCLUSIONS: This review suggests a potential association between HNC surgery and OSA. An association between tumor stage, radiotherapy to the head and neck, and OSA is inconclusive. Further research is needed to examine the relationship between HNC and OSA.

The influence of opioids and nonopioid central nervous system active medications on central sleep apnea: a case-control study.

STUDY OBJECTIVES: Opioids are known to contribute to central sleep apnea (CSA), but the influence of nonopioid central nervous system active medications (CNSAMs) on CSA remains unclear. In light of the hypothesized impact of nonopioid CNSAMs on respiration, we examined the relationships between the use of opioids only, nonopioid CNSAMs alone, and their combination with CSA. METHODS: Among all adults who underwent polysomnography testing at the University of Michigan's sleep laboratory between 2013 and 2018 (n = 10,606), we identified 212 CSA cases and randomly selected 300 controls. Participants were classified into four groups based on their medication use: opioids alone, nonopioid CNSAMs only, their combination, and a reference group, including those who did not use any of these medications. We defined CSA as a binary outcome and as a continuous variable using central apnea index data. Logistic and linear regression were used to examine associations between medication use, CSA diagnosis, and central apnea index. RESULTS: Study participants included 58% men, and mean age was 50 (± 14 standard deviation years. Nearly half of the study participants did not use opioids or nonopioid CNSAMs, 6% used opioids alone, 27% nonopioid CNSAMs alone, and 16% used a combination of these medications. In adjusted analyses, opioids-only users had a nearly twofold increase in CSA odds, whereas those who used a combination of opioids and nonopioid CNSAMs had fivefold higher odds of CSA relative to the reference group. In contrast, the use of nonopioid CNSAMs alone had protective associations with CSA. CONCLUSIONS: This report showed increased odds of CSA, particularly among patients with sleep complaints who were prescribed opioids in combination with nonopioid CNSAMs compared with those who did not use any of these medications.

Low socioeconomic status is associated with prolonged times to assessment and treatment, sepsis and infectious death in pediatric fever in El Salvador.

BACKGROUND: Infection remains the most common cause of death from toxicity in children with cancer in low- and middle-income countries. Rapid administration of antibiotics when fever develops can prevent progression to sepsis and shock, and serves as an important indicator of the quality of care in children with acute lymphoblastic leukemia and acute myeloid leukemia. We analyzed factors associated with (1) Longer times from fever onset to hospital presentation/antibiotic treatment and (2) Sepsis and infection-related mortality. METHOD: This prospective cohort study included children aged 0-16 years with newly diagnosed acute leukemia treated at Benjamin Bloom Hospital, San Salvador. We interviewed parents/caregivers within one month of diagnosis and at the onset of each new febrile episode. Times from initial fever to first antibiotic administration and occurrence of sepsis and infection-related mortality were documented. FINDINGS: Of 251 children enrolled, 215 had acute lymphoblastic leukemia (85.7%). Among 269 outpatient febrile episodes, median times from fever to deciding to seek medical care was 10.0 hours (interquartile range [IQR] 5.0-20.0), and from decision to seek care to first hospital visit was 1.8 hours (IQR 1.0-3.0). Forty-seven (17.5%) patients developed sepsis and 7 (2.6%) died of infection. Maternal illiteracy was associated with longer time from fever to decision to seek care (P = 0.029) and sepsis (odds ratio [OR] 3.06, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.09-8.63; P = 0.034). More infectious deaths occurred in those with longer travel time to hospital (OR 1.36, 95% CI 1.03-1.81; P = 0.031) and in families with an annual household income