Multimodal Telemonitoring for Weight Reduction in Patients With Sleep Apnea: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

BACKGROUND: Telemonitoring the use of CPAP devices and remote feedback on device data effectively optimizes CPAP adherence in patients with OSA. RESEARCH QUESTION: Can expanding the scope of telemonitoring and remote feedback to body weight (BW), BP, and physical activity enhance efforts for BW reduction in Patients with OSA receiving CPAP? STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS: Participants were recruited from patients at 16 sleep centers in Japan with OSA and obesity who were receiving CPAP therapy. Obesity was defined as a BMI of ≥ 25 kg/m2, based on Japanese obesity guidelines. Implementation of CPAP telemonitoring was enhanced with electronic scales, BP monitors, and pedometers that could transmit data from devices wirelessly. Participants were randomized to the multimodal telemonitoring group or the usual CPAP telemonitoring group and were followed up for 6 months. Attending physicians provided monthly telephone feedback calls to the usual CPAP telemonitoring group on CPAP data obtained remotely. In the multimodal telemonitoring group, physicians additionally encouraged participants to reduce their BW, after sharing the remotely obtained data on BW, BP, and step count. The primary outcome was set as ≥ 3% BW reduction from baseline. RESULTS: One hundred sixty-eight participants (BMI, 31.7 ± 4.9 kg/m2) completed the study, and ≥ 3% BW reduction occurred in 33 of 84 participants (39.3%) and 21 of 84 participants (25.0%) in the multimodal telemonitoring and usual CPAP telemonitoring groups, respectively (P = .047). Whereas no significant differences were found between the two groups in the change in office and home BP, daily step counts during the study period were significantly higher in the multimodal telemonitoring group than in the usual CPAP telemonitoring group (4,767 steps/d [interquartile range (IQR), 2,864-6,617 steps/d] vs 3,592 steps/d [IQR, 2,117-5,383 steps/d]; P = .02) INTERPRETATION: Multimodal telemonitoring may enhance BW reduction efforts in patients with OSA and obesity. TRIAL REGISTRY: UMIN Clinical Trials Registry; No.: UMIN000033607; URL: www.umin.ac.jp/ctr/index.htm.

Natural course and potential prognostic factors for sleep-disordered breathing in multiple system atrophy.

OBJECTIVE/BACKGROUND: Multiple system atrophy (MSA) frequently results in the development of sleep-disordered breathing (SDB). Few reports have described the natural course of this phenomenon. The aim of the present study was to determine the natural course of SDB and prognostic factors associated with such conditions in MSA. PATIENTS/METHODS: Twenty-four consecutive patients were recruited with probable MSA, who had not been treated with continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) and had undergone overnight polysomnography (PSG) more than once following the development of snoring or stridor. Based on changes in the apnea-hypopnea index (AHI) over the course of the disease, patients were divided into two groups (AHI-maintained and AHI-deteriorated) and the clinical findings were compared. RESULTS: Mean duration between the first and last PSG was 2.4 ± 1.5 years, and patients underwent PSG assessment an average of 2.5 ± 0.6 times during this period. During this interval, AHI increased from 19.4 ± 22.8/hour to 34.4 ± 30.1/hour (p = 0.006), although spontaneous improvement was observed in 29% of patients. Following the first PSG, all patients were diagnosed with obstructive sleep apnea; however, the SDB type changed from obstructive sleep apnea to central sleep apnea in 3 of the 24 (13%) patients during the period between the first and last PSG. CONCLUSIONS: Although SDB associated with MSA exacerbates with disease progression, spontaneous improvement in AHI may occur in some patients. Earlier development of snoring or stridor may predict rapid progression of SDB in MSA.

Facial axis angle as a risk factor for obstructive sleep apnea.

OBJECTIVE: Many Japanese patients with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) are less obese than Caucasian OSA patients despite their similar severity of OSA, suggesting that their etiology of OSA may differ. The purpose of this study was to identify bony factors associated with OSA in the Japanese population. METHODS: The clinical records of study subjects were retrospectively reviewed, and cephalometric measurements based on Sella-Nasion references and the Ricketts method were statistically compared. PATIENTS: Two hundred and six consecutive Japanese men complaining of habitual snoring and daytime sleepiness were enrolled in the study. All subsequently underwent an overnight polysomnographic examination. RESULTS: Multiple regression analysis showed that the body mass index (p<0.0001) and facial axis angle (p=0.007) were the dominant overall determinants for the apnea hypopnea index. The sella to nasion to subspinale angle (SNA) and sella to nasion to supramentale angle (SNB) were lower in the non-obese, severe group than for non-obese, mild and moderate patients with OSA (p=0.0047 and 0.0016, respectively). CONCLUSION: The risk factors for OSA in Japanese men may be obesity and the dolico facial pattern seen by the Ricketts method. In addition, a smaller SNA and SNB seem to be associated with the severity of OSA in non-obese patients.