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).

Implicaciones clínicas del uso de la triple terapia en combinación de dosis fija en EPOC: del ensayo al paciente / The Clinical Implications of Triple Therapy in Fixed-Dose Combination in COPD: From the Trial to the Patient

La aparición de la denominada triple terapia inhalada mediante la combinación de un agonista ß2 de acción prolongada (LABA), un anticolinérgico de acción prolongada (LAMA) y un corticoide inhalado (ICS) en una combinación a dosis fijas (CDF) en un solo dispositivo de inhalación ha supuesto un cambio en el uso de este tratamiento. A pesar de que los ensayos clínicos nos aportan una idea de la eficacia y la seguridad de estas CDF, su aplicación a la clínica diaria puede presentar retos para el clínico sobre dos escenarios concretos. En pacientes que ya están recibiendo una triple terapia en dispositivos distintos el cambio a una CDF podría suponer beneficios en cuanto a disminución de errores críticos en el manejo de los inhaladores, mayor adherencia al tratamiento y menor coste, manteniendo la misma eficacia clínica. En pacientes que no están recibiendo una triple terapia en dispositivos distintos y que necesiten un cambio en el tratamiento, la CDF de triple terapia presenta beneficios mostrados en los ensayos clínicos. Aunque las diferencias metodológicas entre ensayos desaconsejan comparaciones directas, los resultados clínicos muestran una buena eficacia, pero también una considerable variabilidad y un número de resultados clínicos aún por explorar. En el futuro deberán desarrollarse ensayos que completen los datos de eficacia clínica, estudios en vida real que informen de su efectividad y trabajos encaminados a descubrir el perfil de paciente que presenta una mayor respuesta terapéutica a cada CDF, con el objeto de avanzar en el tratamiento personalizado

The emergence of a fixed-dose combination (FDC) of a long-acting ß2-agonists (LABAS), a long-acting anticholinergic agent (LAMA), and an inhaled corticosteroid (ICS) in a single inhalation device has changed the approach to inhaled therapy. Although clinical trials describe the efficacy and safety of these FDCs, their use in daily clinical practice can present challenges for the clinician in two specific scenarios. In patients who are already receiving triple therapy via different devices, switching to FDCs could confer benefits by reducing critical errors in the management of inhalers, improving therapeutic adherence, and lowering costs, while maintaining the same clinical efficacy. In patients who are not receiving triple therapy in different devices and who require a change in treatment, triple therapy FDC has shown benefits in clinical trials. Although methodological differences among the trials advise against direct comparison, clinical results show good efficacy, but also considerable variability, and a number of clinical outcomes have yet to be explored. In the future, trials must be developed to complete clinical efficacy data. Real-world efficacy trials are needed, and studies must be designed to determine the profile of patients who present a greater therapeutic response to each FDC in order to pave to way towards more personalized treatment

The clinical implications of triple therapy in fixed-dose combination in COPD: from the trial to the patient.

The emergence of a fixed-dose combination (FDC) of a long-acting ß2-agonist (LABA), a long-acting muscarinic antagonist (LAMA), and an inhaled corticosteroid (ICS) in a single inhalation device has changed the approach to inhaled therapy. Although clinical trials describe the efficacy and safety of these FDCs, their use in daily clinical practice can present challenges for the clinician in two specific scenarios. In patients who are already receiving triple therapy via different devices, switching to FDCs could confer benefits by reducing critical errors in the management of inhalers, improving therapeutic adherence, and lowering costs, while maintaining the same clinical efficacy. In patients who are not receiving triple therapy in different devices and who require a change in treatment, triple therapy FDC has shown benefits in clinical trials. Although methodological differences among the trials advise against direct comparison, clinical results show good efficacy, but also considerable variability, and a number of clinical outcomes have yet to be explored. In the future, trials must be developed to complete clinical efficacy data. Real-world efficacy trials are needed, and studies must be designed to determine the profile of patients who present a greater therapeutic response to each FDC in order to pave the way towards more personalized treatment.

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.

Relationship between the endothelial dysfunction and the expression of the ß1-subunit of BK channels in a non-hypertensive sleep apnea group.

STUDY OBJECTIVES: Vascular damage must be diagnosed early in patients with hypertension. In this regard, endothelial dysfunction (ED) is an early sign of vascular disease and a predictor of cardiovascular diseases. In obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), intermittent hypoxia triggers ED, but mechanisms are not clear. In this context, it has been described that BK channels regulates arterial tone and that chronic and intermittent hypoxia downregulates the expression of the BK channel ß1-subunit facilitating vasoconstriction. Thus, we investigated the relationship among hypoxemia, ED, and mRNA expression of the ß1-subunit in patients with severe OSA. We aimed to assess (1) ED in non-hypertensive patients with OSA using laser-Doppler flowmetry, (2) BK ß1-subunit mRNA expression, and (3) the impact of continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) treatment on ED and ß1-subunit regulation. METHODS: OSA patients underwent 24-hour blood pressure monitoring to exclude hypertension. Laser-Doppler flowmetry was performed to assess ED, and ß1-subunit mRNA expression was evaluated using a blood test of peripheral blood leukocytes at baseline and after 3 months of CPAP treatment. RESULTS: In normotensive patients with OSA, endothelial function correlated with the severity of OSA. CPAP improved endothelial function in normotensive OSA patients and the speed of the arterial response was significantly correlated with ß1-subunit mRNA expression. ß1-subunit mRNA expression at baseline correlated inversely with its change after CPAP. CONCLUSIONS: Sleep apnea is related to ED in normotensive patients with OSA. CPAP therapy improves endothelial function and regulates ß1-subunit mRNA expression.

Primary Care Physicians Can Comprehensively Manage Patients with Sleep Apnea. A Noninferiority Randomized Controlled Trial.

Rationale: General practitioners play a passive role in obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) management. Simplification of the diagnosis and use of a semiautomatic algorithm for treatment can facilitate the integration of general practitioners, which has cost advantages.Objectives: To determine differences in effectiveness between primary health care area (PHA) and in-laboratory specialized management protocols during 6 months of follow-up.Methods: A multicenter, noninferiority, randomized, controlled trial with two open parallel arms and a cost-effectiveness analysis was performed in six tertiary hospitals in Spain. Sequentially screened patients with an intermediate to high OSA probability were randomized to PHA or in-laboratory management. The PHA arm involved a portable monitor with automatic scoring and semiautomatic therapeutic decision-making. The in-laboratory arm included polysomnography and specialized therapeutic decision-making. Patients in both arms received continuous positive airway pressure treatment or sleep hygiene and dietary treatment alone. The primary outcome measure was the Epworth Sleepiness Scale. Secondary outcomes were health-related quality of life, blood pressure, incidence of cardiovascular events, hospital resource utilization, continuous positive airway pressure adherence, and within-trial costs.Measurements and Main Results: In total, 307 patients were randomized and 303 were included in the intention-to-treat analysis. Based on the Epworth Sleepiness Scale, the PHA protocol was noninferior to the in-laboratory protocol. Secondary outcome variables were similar between the protocols. The cost-effectiveness relationship favored the PHA arm, with a cost difference of €537.8 per patient.Conclusions: PHA management may be an alternative to in-laboratory management for patients with an intermediate to high OSA probability. Given the clear economic advantage of outpatient management, this finding could change established clinical practice.Clinical trial registered with www.clinicaltrials.gov (NCT02141165).

Conventional Polysomnography Is Not Necessary for the Management of Most Patients with Suspected Obstructive Sleep Apnea. Noninferiority, Randomized Controlled Trial.

RATIONALE: Home respiratory polygraphy may be a simpler alternative to in-laboratory polysomnography for the management of more symptomatic patients with obstructive sleep apnea, but its effectiveness has not been evaluated across a broad clinical spectrum. OBJECTIVES: To compare the long-term effectiveness (6 mo) of home respiratory polygraphy and polysomnography management protocols in patients with intermediate-to-high sleep apnea suspicion (most patients requiring a sleep study). METHODS: A multicentric, noninferiority, randomized controlled trial with two open parallel arms and a cost-effectiveness analysis was performed in 12 tertiary hospitals in Spain. Sequentially screened patients with sleep apnea suspicion were randomized to respiratory polygraphy or polysomnography protocols. Moreover, both arms received standardized therapeutic decision-making, continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) treatment or a healthy habit assessment, auto-CPAP titration (for CPAP indication), health-related quality-of-life questionnaires, 24-hour blood pressure monitoring, and polysomnography at the end of follow-up. The main outcome was the Epworth Sleepiness Scale measurement. The noninferiority criterion was -2 points on the Epworth scale. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: In total, 430 patients were randomized. The respiratory polygraphy protocol was noninferior to the polysomnography protocol based on the Epworth scale. Quality of life, blood pressure, and polysomnography were similar between protocols. Respiratory polygraphy was the most cost-effective protocol, with a lower per-patient cost of 416.7€. CONCLUSIONS: Home respiratory polygraphy management is similarly effective to polysomnography, with a substantially lower cost. Therefore, polysomnography is not necessary for most patients with suspected sleep apnea. This finding could change established clinical practice, with a clear economic benefit. Clinical trial registered with www.clinicaltrials.gov (NCT 01752556).

Continuous Positive Airway Pressure Improves Quality of Life in Women with Obstructive Sleep Apnea. A Randomized Controlled Trial.

RATIONALE: Continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) is the treatment of choice in patients with symptomatic obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). CPAP treatment improves quality of life (QoL) in men with OSA, but its role in women has not yet been assessed. OBJECTIVES: To investigate the effect of CPAP on QoL in women with moderate to severe OSA. METHODS: We conducted a multicenter, open-label randomized controlled trial in 307 consecutive women diagnosed with moderate to severe OSA (apnea-hypopnea index, ≥15) in 19 Spanish sleep units. Women were randomized to receive effective CPAP therapy (n = 151) or conservative treatment (n = 156) for 3 months. The primary endpoint was the change in QoL based on the Quebec Sleep Questionnaire. Secondary endpoints included changes in daytime sleepiness, mood state, anxiety, and depression. Data were analyzed on an intention-to-treat basis with adjustment for baseline values and other relevant clinical variables. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: The women in the study had a mean (SD) age of 57.1 (10.1) years and a mean (SD) Epworth Sleepiness Scale score of 9.8 (4.4), and 77.5% were postmenopausal. Compared with the control group, the CPAP group achieved a significantly greater improvement in all QoL domains of the Quebec Sleep Questionnaire (adjusted treatment effect between 0.53 and 1.33; P < 0.001 for all domains), daytime sleepiness (-2.92; P < 0.001), mood state (-4.24; P = 0.012), anxiety (-0.89; P = 0.014), depression (-0.85; P = 0.016), and the physical component summary of the 12-item Short Form Health Survey (2.78; P = 0.003). CONCLUSIONS: In women with moderate or severe OSA, 3 months of CPAP therapy improved QoL, mood state, anxiety and depressive symptoms, and daytime sleepiness compared with conservative treatment. Clinical trial registered with www.clinicaltrials.gov (NCT02047071).

Oxigenoterapia domiciliaria durante el sueño autores / No disponible

No disponible

Effectiveness of home single-channel nasal pressure for sleep apnea diagnosis.

INTRODUCTION: Home single-channel nasal pressure (HNP) may be an alternative to polysomnography (PSG) for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) diagnosis, but no cost studies have yet been carried out. Automatic scoring is simpler but generally less effective than manual scoring. OBJECTIVES: To determine the diagnostic efficacy and cost of both scorings (automatic and manual) compared with PSG, taking as a polysomnographic OSA diagnosis several apnea-hypopnea index (AHI) cutoff points. METHODS: We included suspected OSA patients in a multicenter study. They were randomized to home and hospital protocols. We constructed receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves for both scorings. Diagnostic efficacy was explored for several HNP AHI cutoff points, and costs were calculated for equally effective alternatives. RESULTS: Of 787 randomized patients, 752 underwent HNP. Manual scoring produced better ROC curves than automatic for AHI < 15; similar curves were obtained for AHI ≥ 15. A valid HNP with manual scoring would determine the presence of OSA (or otherwise) in 90% of patients with a polysomnographic AHI ≥ 5 cutoff point, in 74% of patients with a polysomnographic AHI ≥ 10 cutoff point, and in 61% of patients with a polysomnographic AHI ≥ 15 cutoff point. In the same way, a valid HNP with automatic scoring would determine the presence of OSA (or otherwise) in 73% of patients with a polysomnographic AHI ≥ 5 cutoff point, in 64% of patients with a polysomnographic AHI ≥ 10 cutoff point, and in 57% of patients with a polysomnographic AHI ≥ 15 cutoff point. The costs of either HNP approaches were 40% to 70% lower than those of PSG at the same level of diagnostic efficacy. Manual HNP had the lowest cost for low polysomnographic AHI levels (≥ 5 and ≥ 10), and manual and automatic scorings had similar costs for higher polysomnographic cutoff points (AHI ≥ 15) of diagnosis. CONCLUSION: Home single-channel nasal pressure (HNP) is a cheaper alternative than polysomnography for obstructive sleep apnea diagnosis. HNP with manual scoring seems to have better diagnostic accuracy and a lower cost than automatic scoring for patients with low apnea-hypopnea index (AHI) levels, although automatic scoring has similar diagnostic accuracy and cost as manual scoring for intermediate and high AHI levels. Therefore, automatic scoring can be appropriately used, although diagnostic efficacy could improve if we carried out manual scoring on patients with AHI < 15. CLINICAL TRIALS INFORMATION: Clinicaltrials.gov identifier: NCT01347398.

Apnea del sueño en individuos de edad avanzada. Actividad asistencial (2002–2008) en España / Sleep Apnoea in Patients of Elderly: Care Activity in Spain (2002–2008)

Introducción y objetivoExiste una importante falta de evidencia científica sobre el papel del SAHS en edades avanzadas a pesar del envejecimiento progresivo de la población. El objetivo del presente estudio es analizar el panorama asistencial actual en nuestro país sobre el diagnóstico y tratamiento del SAHS en individuos ≥65 años y su evolución a lo largo de los últimos años.Material y métodoEstudio de corte trasversal. Fue recogida información asistencial sobre el diagnóstico y tratamiento de pacientes con sospecha de SAHS de ambos sexos con ≥65 años remitidos a las unidades de sueño (US) entre 2002 y 2008.ResultadosFueron incluidos 51.229 estudios de sueño de 16 US. El 24,3% de los estudios fue realizado en individuos ≥65 años (64,9% varones), de los que el 71,5% mostró un IAH≥10 (68,6% tratados con CPAP). No hubo cambios significativos a lo largo del tiempo en la edad media, IAH medio o porcentaje de estudios realizados. Se observo una disminución significativa en el número de CPAP prescritas en varones ≥65 años desde 2002 al 2005 (p=0,01) que aumentó posteriormente hasta 2008 (p=0,01). Este fenómeno no fue observado en mujeres ≥65 años.ConclusiónA pesar de la escasa evidencia científica sobre el tema, la actividad asistencial por sospecha de SAHS en individuos de edades avanzadas es intensa por lo que se hace prioritaria la puesta en marcha de estudios clínicos que den respuesta a preguntas clave sobre el diagnóstico y el tratamiento del SAHS en esta franja de edad(AU)

Introduction and objectiveThere is a significant lack of scientific evidence on the role of SAHS in the elderly despite the increasing ageing of the population. The objective of the present study is to analyse the current healthcare situation in Spain on the diagnosis and treatment of sleep apnea in the population ≥65 years and its progress over the last few years.Material and methodCross-sectional study. Healthcare information was collected on the diagnosis and treatment of patients of both sexes and ≥65 years suspected with having SAHS and referred to sleep units (SU) between 2002 and 2008.ResultsThere were 51,229 sleep studies performed in 16 SU. Of these, 24.3% were performed on subjects ≥ 65 years (64.9% males), of which 71.5% had an AHI (apnoea-hypopnoea index) >10 (68.6% treated with CPAP). There were no differences over time as regards mean age, mean AHI or percentage of studies done. A significant decrease was observed in the number of CPAP prescribed to males ≥65 years from 2002 to 2005 (p=0.01) which subsequently increased up to 2008 (p=0.01). This phenomenon was not observed in women ≥65 years.ConclusionDespite the lack of evidence on the subject, healthcare activity due to suspected SAHS in the elderly population is intense, therefore it should be a priority to start clinical studies that may be able to answer key questions on the diagnosis and treatment of SAHS in this age group(AU)

[Sleep apnoea in patients of elderly: care activity in Spain (2002-2008)]. / Apnea del sueño en individuos de edad avanzada. Actividad asistencial (2002-2008) en España.

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVE: There is a significant lack of scientific evidence on the role of SAHS in the elderly despite the increasing ageing of the population. The objective of the present study is to analyse the current healthcare situation in Spain on the diagnosis and treatment of sleep apnea in the population ≥65 years and its progress over the last few years. MATERIAL AND METHOD: Cross-sectional study. Healthcare information was collected on the diagnosis and treatment of patients of both sexes and ≥65 years suspected with having SAHS and referred to sleep units (SU) between 2002 and 2008. RESULTS: There were 51,229 sleep studies performed in 16 SU. Of these, 24.3% were performed on subjects ≥ 65 years (64.9% males), of which 71.5% had an AHI (apnoea-hypopnoea index) >10 (68.6% treated with CPAP). There were no differences over time as regards mean age, mean AHI or percentage of studies done. A significant decrease was observed in the number of CPAP prescribed to males ≥65 years from 2002 to 2005 (p=0.01) which subsequently increased up to 2008 (p=0.01). This phenomenon was not observed in women ≥65 years. CONCLUSION: Despite the lack of evidence on the subject, healthcare activity due to suspected SAHS in the elderly population is intense, therefore it should be a priority to start clinical studies that may be able to answer key questions on the diagnosis and treatment of SAHS in this age group.

Maxi-K+ channel beta1 expression in sleep apnea patients and its modulation by CPAP treatment.

BACKGROUND: Maxi-K(+) channels play a major vasodilator role in the regulation of arterial tone. Hypoxia downregulates the expression of the maxi-K(+) channel beta1-subunit in rat and human arterial myocytes, thus facilitating vasoconstriction. We have investigated the relationships among hypoxemia, arterial pressure, and the expression of the beta1-subunit in patients with severe obstructive sleep apnea-hypopnea syndrome (SAHS), a highly prevalent condition that predisposes to hypertension. METHODS: We studied 20 male patients with strong clinical suspicion of SAHS. Overnight polysomnography and 24-h ambulatory blood pressure monitoring were performed in each patient. Evaluation of beta1-subunit mRNA expression was made by a simple blood test using peripheral blood leukocytes (PBLs). The last two determinations were repeated 3 months after initiation of continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) treatment. RESULTS: In untreated obstructive SAHS patients, beta1-subunit mRNA levels were correlated with the minimum level of overnight blood O(2) saturation (r(2) = 0.56, P < 0.05) and systolic arterial pressure (r(2) = 0.64, P < 0.01). Notably, the correction of nocturnal hypoxemia with CPAP resulted in upregulation of beta1-subunit mRNA and to a parallel significant decrease of systolic and diastolic arterial pressures of 6.5 and 5.3 mm Hg, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: These observations, although preliminary, suggest that the maxi-K(+) beta1-subunit could contribute to vascular dysregulation in SAHS patients. Leukocyte beta1 expression may be an independent readout of hypoxemia that could be useful as molecular marker for impending hypertension.

Quality of life in patients with congestive heart failure and central sleep apnea.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the impact of Cheyne-Stoke respiration-central sleep apnea (CSR-CSA) on quality of life (QOL) in patients with congestive heart failure (CHF). QOL was established using the MLHFQ (Minnesota Living with Heart Failure Questionnaire), and the FOSQ (Functional Outcomes of Sleep Questionnaire). METHODS: We examined 90 patients with CHF. The diagnosis of CSR-CSA was performed by polysomnography. We established a correlation between the apnea-hypopnea index (AHI) and the MLHFQ and FOSQ scores. RESULTS: Five patients were excluded (obstructive sleep apnea). Of the 85 remaining patients, 25 presented CSR-CSA. The mean MLHFQ score was higher in patients with CHF and CSR-CSA (25.8+/-2.97 vs. 16.6+/-2.05; p=0.01), and showed a significant yet moderate correlation with the AHI. A lower mean FOSQ score was obtained for the group of patients with CHF and CSR-CSA (78.4+/-4.31 vs. 88.47+/-2.4; p=0.03), showing weak negative correlation with the AHI. CONCLUSION: According to the MLHFQ scores, it seems that CHF patients with CSR-CSA have a worse QOL than those with CHF alone. Although this could be attributable to a greater impairment of heart function in the former group, the FOSQ scores indicate some influence of their sleep disorder on the impairment of QOL.

[Severe obstructive sleep apnea syndrome in a toddler]. / Síndrome de apnea obstructiva del sueño infantil de presentación grave.

We report the case of a 3-year-old boy who had experienced intense snoring, frequent awakenings, intense respiratory effort during sleep, and delayed growth starting at the age of 15 months. He underwent adenoidectomy at 18 months. Symptoms initially improved but reappeared 3 months after surgery. He underwent a second adenoidectomy, this time with tonsillectomy, but there was no significant clinical improvement. Polysomnography revealed severe sleep apnea-hypopnea with an apnea-hypopnea index of 45. Continuous positive airway pressure improved sleep quality, although some symptoms, mainly snoring, persisted. A third adenoidectomy was necessary to normalize his breathing pattern during sleep.

Síndrome de apnea obstructiva del sueño infantil de presentación grave / Severe obstructive sleep apnea syndrome in a toddler

Describimos el caso de un paciente varón de 3 años de edad, que desde los 15 meses presentaba un cuadro clínico consistente en ronquidos intensos, despertares frecuentes, esfuerzo respiratorio intenso durante el sueño y retraso del desarrollo pondoestatural. Se le practicó una adenoidectomía a los 18 meses de edad, con mejoría inicial de los síntomas, que sin embargo reaparecieron a los 3 meses de la cirugía. Se le realizó una segunda adenoidectomía, acompañada esta vez de amigdalectomía, sin mejoría significativa de la clínica. Se le efectuó una polisomnografía, que resultó diagnóstica de síndrome de apneas-hipopneas durante el sueño de carácter grave, con un índice de apneas-hipopneas de 45. Tras comenzar tratamiento con presión positiva continua de la vía aérea mejoró la calidad del sueño, pero persistieron algunos de los síntomas, fundamentalmente el ronquido. Para normalizar su patrón respiratorio durante el sueño requirió, finalmente, una tercera adenoidectomía

We report the case of a 3-year-old boy who had experienced intense snoring, frequent awakenings, intense respiratory effort during sleep, and delayed growth starting at the age of 15 months. He underwent adenoidectomy at 18 months. Symptoms initially improved but reappeared 3 months after surgery. He underwent a second adenoidectomy, this time with tonsillectomy, but there was no significant clinical improvement. Polysomnography revealed severe sleep apnea-hypopnea with an apnea­hypopnea index of 45. Continuous positive airway pressure improved sleep quality, although some symptoms, mainly snoring, persisted. A third adenoidectomy was necessary to normalize his breathing pattern during sleep

Respiratory polygraphy with actigraphy in the diagnosis of sleep apnea-hypopnea syndrome.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the utility and reliability of a respiratory polygraphy (RP) device with actigraphy (Apnoescreen II; Erich Jaeger GMBH & CoKg; Wuerzburg, Germany) in the diagnosis of sleep apnea-hypopnea syndrome (SAHS). DESIGN: A prospective randomized study with blinded analysis. PATIENTS: Sixty-two patients with suspected SAHS. MEASUREMENTS: the following two RP studies were performed: one in the sleep laboratory (sleep laboratory RP [LRP]), simultaneously with polysomnography; and the other at home (home RP [HRP]). To study the interobserver reliability of RP, two manual analyses were carried out by two different researchers. RESULTS: In LRP, when the respiratory disturbance index was calculated using the total sleep time estimated by actigraphy (RDI) as a denominator, the sensitivity ranged between 94.6% and 100%, and the specificity between 88% and 96.7% for the different cutoff points of the apnea-hypopnea indexes studied. When the respiratory disturbance index was calculated according to the total recording time (RDITRT), the sensitivity was slightly lower (91.6 to 96.9%) and the specificity was similar (92 to 96.7%). In HRP, the sensitivity of the RDI ranged between 83.8% and 95.8%, and the specificity between 92% and 100%, whereas, when the RDITRT was used, the sensitivity was between 83.8% and 87.5%, and the specificity was between 94.7% and 100%. With regard to interobserver reliability, the intraclass correlation coefficient for the RDI of the two analyses of the RP was 0.99 for both LPR and HPR. CONCLUSION: HPR is an effective and reliable technique for the diagnosis of SAHS, although it is less sensitive than LRP. Wrist actigraphy improves the results of HRP only slightly.

[Blood uric acid levels in patients with sleep-disordered breathing]. / Valores de ácido úrico en sangre en pacientes con trastornos respiratorios del sueño.

OBJECTIVE: Recurrent hypoxia associated with sleep apnea-hypopnea syndrome (SAHS) leads to an increase in the degradation of adenosine triphosphatase to xanthine and, secondarily, to an increase in uric acid concentrations. The aim of the present study was to determine whether there is a correlation between uric acid levels in peripheral blood and sleep-disordered breathing, independently of known confounding factors. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We carried out a retrospective cross-sectional study of 1135 patients evaluated for suspected SAHS. For all patients, a medical history was taken using a standardized protocol. In addition, biochemical analysis of venous blood and an overnight sleep study (with either conventional polysomnography or home monitoring) were carried out. RESULTS: The mean (SD) concentration of uric acid was 6.31 (1.5) mg/dL, and 36% of patients had concentrations above established normal values for their sex. We found a significant correlation between uric acid levels and some sleep study parameters (number of respiratory events, number of desaturations, or the cumulative percentage of time with oxygen saturation less than 90%). Those patients with more respiratory events (apnea-hypopnea index or respiratory event index >or= 30) had higher uric acid levels than those with mild or no SAHS. However, this difference was not apparent in the univariate analysis of variance, in which body mass index and cholesterol and triglyceride levels were considered confounding factors. CONCLUSIONS: Uric acid levels are positively correlated with the number of obstructive respiratory episodes and oxygen desaturations during sleep, but this correlation seems to be influenced by other factors, such as obesity.

Brain natriuretic peptide in patients with congestive heart failure and central sleep apnea.

STUDY OBJECTIVE: To assess the possible relationship between Cheyne-Stokes respiration (CSR) associated with central sleep apnea (CSA) syndrome and brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) in an outpatient population presenting with stable congestive heart failure (CHF). MEASUREMENTS AND RESULTS: Ninety patients with CHF due to systolic dysfunction (left ventricular ejection fraction