Accuracy of WatchPAT for the Diagnosis of Obstructive Sleep Apnea in Patients with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease.

The co-existence of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), termed the overlap syndrome (OVS), is associated with adverse outcomes that may be reversed with treatment. However, diagnosis is limited by the apparent need for in-laboratory polysomnography (PSG). WatchPAT is a portable diagnostic device that is validated for the diagnosis of OSA that might represent an attractive tool for the diagnosis of OVS.Subjects with established COPD were recruited from a general population. Subjects underwent PSG and simultaneous recording with WatchPAT. Pulmonary function testing and questionnaires were also performed.A total of 36 subjects were recruited and valid data was obtained on 33 (age 63 ± 7, BMI 28 ± 7, 61% male, FEV1 56 ± 20% predicted). There was no significant difference in the apnea-hypopnea index (AHI) between PSG and WatchPAT (19 ± 20 versus 20 ± 15 events/h; mean difference 2(-2, 5) events/h; p = 0.381). The AHI was not significantly different in rapid eye movement (REM) and non-rapid eye movement (NREM) determined by PSG versus REM and NREM determined by WatchPAT. WatchPAT slightly overestimated total and REM sleep time, and sleep efficiency. The sensitivity of WatchPAT at an AHI cut-off of ≥5, ≥15, and ≥30 events/h for corresponding PSG AHI cut-offs was 95.8, 92.3, and 88.9, respectively; specificity was 55, 65.0, and 95.8, respectively.WatchPAT is able to determine OSA reliably in patients with COPD. The availability of this additional diagnostic modality may lead to improved detection of OVS, which may in turn lead to improved outcomes for a group of COPD patients at high risk of poor outcomes.

Variability of respiratory mechanics during sleep in overweight and obese subjects with and without asthma.

Variability of respiration may provide information regarding disease states. We sought to characterize variability of ventilation and resistance in healthy and asthma, to determine how respiratory control may be altered in sleep and with bi-level positive airway pressure (BPAP). Overweight and obese subjects with and without asthma were studied during sleep at baseline and with BPAP, while measuring respiratory system resistance (Rrs) continuously. Stable periods (>20min) of wake, NREM, and REM sleep were identified and correlation metrics of respiratory parameters were calculated, including coefficient of variation (CV). Variability of Rrs was also characterized over short time scales (20 breaths) during sleep and defined as either "leading to arousal" or "not leading to arousal". Data from 10 control and 10 subjects with asthma were analyzed. CV of Rrs was decreased in asthma at baseline (p<0.001) and decreased on BPAP as compared to baseline (p<0.001). Long time scale correlations were found in respiratory parameters, but the degree of correlations was decreased from wake to sleep (p<0.05). The variance and CV of Rrs was increased preceding an arousal from sleep at baseline; however, during BPAP, the CV was decreased and was not increased preceding arousals. At baseline, resistance was greater in those with asthma, but variability was smaller. BPAP reduced both resistance and overall variability. We conclude that the BPAP-induced decrease in variability may indicate that those with asthma are more likely to remain in a low resistance state, and that low resistance variability may reduce arousals from sleep.

The effect of lung stretch during sleep on airway mechanics in overweight and obese asthma.

Both obesity and sleep reduce lung volume and limit deep breaths, possibly contributing to asthma. We hypothesize that increasing lung volume dynamically during sleep would reduce airway resistance in asthma. Asthma (n=10) and control (n=10) subjects were studied during sleep at baseline and with increased lung volume via bi-level positive airway pressure (BPAP). Using forced oscillations, respiratory system resistance (R(rs)) and reactance (X(rs)) were measured during sleep and R(rs) was partitioned to upper and lower airway resistance (R(up), R(low)) using an epiglottic pressure catheter. R(rs) and R(up) increased with sleep (p<0.01) and X(rs) was decreased in REM (p=0.02) as compared to wake. R(rs), R(up), and R(low), were larger (p<0.01) and X(rs) was decreased (p<0.02) in asthma. On BPAP, R(rs) and R(up) were decreased (p<0.001) and X(rs) increased (p<0.01), but R(low) was unchanged. High R(up) was observed in asthma, which reduced with BPAP. We conclude that the upper airway is a major component of R(rs) and larger lung volume changes may be required to alter R(low).

Measuring upper and lower airway resistance during sleep with the forced oscillation technique.

The forced oscillation technique (FOT) is a non-invasive technique to monitor airway obstruction in those with asthma. The aim of this study was to design and validate a system to use FOT during sleep, both with and without bi-level positive airway pressure (BPAP), and to separate upper airway resistance from lower. 8 Hz pressure oscillations were supplied, over which the subject breathed, pressure and flow measurements were then used to calculate impedance. A phase-shift induced by the pressure transducer tubing was characterized, and FOT resistance was compared to steady flow resistance both with and without BPAP. A Millar catheter was used to measure pressure at the epiglottis, allowing the separation of upper from lower airway resistance. A phase shift of -0.010 s was calculated for the pressure transducer tubing, and the average error between FOT and steady flow resistance was -0.2 ± 0.2 cmH2O/L/s without BPAP and 0.4 ± 0.2 cmH2O/L/s with BPAP. The system was tested on three subjects, one healthy, one with obstructive sleep apnea, and one with asthma. The FOT was well tolerated and resistance was separated into upper and lower airway components. This setup is suitable for monitoring both upper and lower airway obstruction during sleep in those with and without asthma.

The crossed leg sign indicates a favorable outcome after severe stroke.

OBJECTIVE: We investigated whether crossed legs are a prognostic marker in patients with severe stroke. METHODS: In this controlled prospective observational study, we observed patients with severe stroke who crossed their legs during their hospital stay and matched them with randomly selected severe stroke patients who did not cross their legs. The patients were evaluated upon admission, on the day of leg crossing, upon discharge, and at 1 year after discharge. The Glasgow Coma Scale, the NIH Stroke Scale (NIHSS), the modified Rankin Scale (mRS), and the Barthel Index (BI) were obtained. RESULTS: Patients who crossed their legs (n = 34) and matched controls (n = 34) did not differ in any scale upon admission. At the time of discharge, the GCS did not differ, but the NIHSS was better in crossed legs patients (6.5 vs 10.6; p = 0.0026), as was the mRS (3.4 vs 5.1, p < 0.001), and the BI (34.0 vs 21.1; p = 0.0073). At 1-year follow-up, mRS (2.9 vs 5.1, p < 0.001) and the BI (71.3 vs 49.2; p = 0.045) were also better in the crossed leg group. The mortality between the groups differed grossly; only 1 patient died in the crossing group compared to 18 in the noncrossing group (p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: Leg crossing is an easily obtained clinical sign and is independent of additional technical examinations. Leg crossing within the first 15 days after severe stroke indicates a favorable outcome which includes less neurologic deficits, better independence in daily life, and lower rates of death.

Phase-rectified signal averaging as a sensitive index of autonomic changes with aging.

Standard heart rate variability (HRV) techniques have been questioned in the sleep and autonomic fields as imprecise measures of sympathetic and parasympathetic activity. A new technique has emerged, known as phase-rectified signal averaging (PRSA). PRSA is used to quantify the quasi-periodic accelerations and decelerations in short-term heart rate, an effect that is normally masked by artifacts and noise. When applied to a signal of peak-to-peak (RR) time intervals, these quasiperiodicities can be used to estimate overall vagal activity, quantified as deceleration capacity (DC) and acceleration capacity (AC). We applied the PRSA analysis to a healthy cohort (ages 21-60 yr) enrolled in a clinical sleep trial, in which ECG data during wakefulness and sleep were available. We found that DC and AC were significantly attenuated with increasing age: a 0.27 ms/yr decrease in DC and a 0.29 ms/yr increase in AC (P<0.001). However, even in the older subjects, DC values were higher then previously found in people post-myocardial infarction. We also found a drop in percentage of normal-to-normal intervals where the current interval deviated>50 ms from the previous interval with age, with a decrease of 0.84%/yr. We did not find any differences between younger and older subjects with traditional HRV techniques, such as low-frequency or high-frequency power. Overall, the study provides normative PRSA data and suggests that PRSA is more sensitive than other HRV measurements. We propose that the decrease in DC and AC may be a sensitive marker for autonomic changes with aging. Further work will be required to determine whether the observed changes predict poorer cardiac health prognosis.

Dark focus values measured by retinoscopy: a clinical chart review.

The present study investigated the utility of dark retinoscopy as a technique to measure the dark focus of accommodation during routine clinical examinations. Using data from clinical examinations collected during a period of 6 months, a clinical chart review quantified dark focus and mean spherical equivalent refractive error for 480 patients ranging in age from 6 to 55 years. Results showed significant variations in mean dark focus values over the age groups. All groups showed wide interpatient differences, with mean dark focus values that were significantly nearer than the farpoint. Individual dark focus values ranged from 2.25 to -1.00 D (hyperopic), with an overall mean of 0.53 D. Potential clinical applications of dark focus-based correction are discussed.

IS outlook '96: predictions & predilections. Roundtable discussion.

Musings from some of the leading national and international HIT organizations make it clear that the need for a computer-based patient record is approaching the critical point. Half of our respondents identified the CPR as the single most important technology in 1996. One of our participants goes so far as to say that the era prior to the electronic medical record will one day be remembered as the "paper age." Progress in the development of standards--crucial to the CPR--could be dramatic this year, say experts from two of the major standards organizations. For a look at these issues and others, including key government policies to watch this year, read on.

Long-term stability of the dark focus of accommodation.

For 1 year we monitored the stability of the accommodative state assumed in darkness (the dark focus) of five subjects. Our results are similar to previously reported individual mean values. The magnitude and pattern of the variability in the dark-focus also demonstrate individual differences. Despite this individual variability, all five subjects oscillated around a stable mean dark-focus value throughout their respective measurement periods. This study indicates the feasibility of using the dark-focus as a basis for correcting the anomalous myopias, in particular night and empty-field myopia.

Correction of empty-field myopia on the basis of the dark-focus of accommodation.

The influence of negative spherical corrections on the detection of a small increment flash presented in a uniform field or Ganzfeld were determined. The range investigated included each observer's normal correction as well as values based on the focus assumed by each observer in total darkness (dark-focus of accomodation). A correction equivalent to the dark-focus resulted in maximum sensitivity. The results suggest a convenient technique for the determination of optimal correction for empty-field viewing conditions.