Distinct Associations between Hypertension and Obstructive Sleep Apnea in Male and Female Patients

Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is highly associated with hypertension. However, the correlation between hypertension and OSA at different levels of severity and the influence of gender on that correlation are unclear. A total of 996 patients (776 males and 190 females) with OSA were recruited. The influence of gender on the correlation between hypertension and OSA at different stratifications of severity, based on the apnea-hypopnea index (AHI), was fully evaluated together with the major health risk factors obesity, age, and diabetes. Females with OSA were significantly older on average than males with OSA. Moreover, females had milder degrees of OSA on average than the extent of severity seen in males. The proportion of females with diabetes or hypertension was higher than that of males. The proportion of males with hypertension and obesity increased significantly with OSA, and age also increased with OSA. The percentage of females with hypertension at different degrees of OSA severity was stable at about 26% in the mild, moderate, and severe OSA groups. Among females, age was increased significantly in the moderate relative to the mild OSA group. Moreover, the proportion of obese subjects was increased significantly in the severe compared with the moderate OSA group. The proportions of males and females with diabetes were not significantly different among all OSA severity groups. An ordinal multivariate logistic regression analysis confirmed that hypertension, age, and obesity were associated with OSA severity in males, whereas only age and obesity were associated with OSA severity in females. Although the proportion of subjects with hypertension was higher in females with OSA than in males with OSA, the proportion of subjects with hypertension increased as the severity of OSA increased in males but not in females.     

Relationship between Obstructive Sleep Apnea Severity and Sleep,Depression and Anxiety Symptoms in Newly-Diagnosed Patients

Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) occurs in at least 10% of the population, and leads to higher morbidity and mortality; however, relationships between OSA severity and sleep or psychological symptoms are unclear. Existing studies include samples with wide-ranging comorbidities, so we assessed relationships between severity of OSA and common sleep and psychological disturbances in recently diagnosed OSA patients with minimal co-morbidities. We studied 49 newly diagnosed, untreated OSA patients without major co-morbidities such as mental illness, cardiovascular disease, or stroke; subjects were not using psychoactive medications or tobacco (mean ± std age: 46.8±9.1 years; apnea/hyponea index [AHI]: 32.1±20.5 events/hour; female/male: 12/37; weight <125 kg). We evaluated relationships between the AHI and daytime sleepiness (Epworth Sleepiness Scale; ESS), sleep quality (Pittsburg Sleep Quality Index; PSQI), depressive symptoms (Beck Depression Inventory-II; BDI), and anxiety symptoms (Beck Anxiety Inventory; BAI), as well as sex and body mass index (BMI). AHI was similar in females and males. Mean levels of all symptoms were above normal thresholds, but AHI was not correlated with age, ESS, PSQI, BDI, or BAI; only BMI was correlated with OSA severity. No differences in mean AHI appeared when subjects were grouped by normal versus elevated values of ESS, PSQI, BDI, or BAI. Consistent with other studies, a strong link between OSA severity and psychological symptoms did not appear in these newly diagnosed patients, suggesting that mechanisms additional to the number and frequency of hypoxic events and arousals occurring with apneas contribute to adverse health effects in OSA. OSA patients presenting with mild or moderate severity, and no major co-morbidities will not necessarily have low levels of sleep or psychological disturbances.     

The Associations between Anthropometric Indices and Obstructive Sleep Apnea in a Korean Population

Background

Obesity is a major risk factor for the development of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). Although clinical and epidemiological studies have shown that OSA and obesity are strongly associated, few Asian studies have examined the associations between anthropometric obesity indices and OSA, especially in the Korean population. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the influence of anthropometric obesity indices on OSA in a Korean population.

Methods

Anthropometric indices, including neck circumference, waist circumference, and body mass index, were assessed in 383 consecutive subjects with suspected OSA.

Results

Of the 383 subjects assessed, 316 (82.5%) were diagnosed with OSA. Neck circumference (r = 0.518), waist circumference (r = 0.570), and body mass index (r = 0.512) were correlated with the apnea-hypopnea index (p<0.001, for all). After adjusting for age, sex, alcohol consumption, and smoking, a logistic regression model showed that neck circumference [odds ratio (OR), 1.414; p<0.001)], waist circumference (OR, 1.114; p<0.001), and body mass index (OR, 1.364; p<0.001) were associated with OSA. The linear regression model showed that neck circumference (β = 3.748, p<0.001), waist circumference (β = 1.272, p<0.001), and body mass index (β = 3.082, p<0.001) were associated with apnea-hypopnea index. The cut-off values for predicting OSA were determined as 34.5 cm for neck circumference, 76.5 cm for waist circumference, and 23.05 kg/m² for body mass index for females, and 38.75 cm for neck circumference, 88.5 cm for waist circumference, and 24.95 kg/m² for body mass index for males.

Conclusion

Increased anthropometric indices were significantly associated with the presence and severity of OSA in a Korean population. In addition, this study demonstrated the cut-off values for body mass index, waist circumference, and neck circumference for increased OSA risk.     

Cumulative Association of Obstructive Sleep Apnea Severity and Short Sleep Duration with the Risk for Hypertension

Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) and short sleep duration are individually associated with an increased risk for hypertension (HTN). The aim of this multicenter cross-sectional study was to test the hypothesis of a cumulative association of OSA severity and short sleep duration with the risk for prevalent HTN. Among 1,499 patients undergoing polysomnography for suspected OSA, 410 (27.3%) previously diagnosed as hypertensive and taking antihypertensive medication were considered as having HTN. Patients with total sleep time (TST) <6 h were considered to be short sleepers. Logistic regression procedures were performed to determine the independent association of HTN with OSA and sleep duration. Considering normal sleepers (TST ≥6 h) without OSA as the reference group, the odds ratio (OR) (95% confidence intervals) for having HTN was 2.51 (1.35–4.68) in normal sleepers with OSA and 4.37 (2.18–8.78) in short sleepers with OSA after adjustment for age, gender, obesity, diabetes, depression, current smoking, use of thyroid hormones, daytime sleepiness, poor sleep complaint, time in bed, sleep architecture and fragmentation, and study site. The risk for HTN appeared to present a cumulative association with OSA severity and short sleep duration (p<0.0001 for linear trend). The higher risk for HTN was observed in short sleepers with severe OSA (AHI ≥30) (OR, 4.29 [2.03–9.07]). In patients investigated for suspected OSA, sleep-disordered breathing severity and short sleep duration have a cumulative association with the risk for prevalent HTN. Further studies are required to determine whether interventions to optimize sleep may contribute to lower BP in patients with OSA.     

Associations between Adenotonsillar Hypertrophy,Age, and Obesity in Children with Obstructive Sleep Apnea

Objective

To investigate the contributions of adenoid and tonsil size to childhood obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) and the interactions between adenotonsillar hypertrophy, age, and obesity in children with OSA.

Methods

In total, 495 symptomatic patients were recruited. The patients were assigned to four groups according to age：toddler (age 1-3, n=42), preschool (age 3-6, n=164), school (age 6-12, n=200), and adolescence (age 12-18, n=89). All subjects had tonsil size graded by otolaryngologists, adenoid size determined on lateral radiographs (Fujioka method), and a full-night polysomnography. The apnea-hypopnea index (AHI), adenoid size, and tonsil size were compared in obese and non-obese children in the four age groups. Adjusted odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence interval (CI) of adenotonsillar hypertrophy and OSA risk were estimated by multi-logistic regression.

Results

The AHI was positively related to tonsil grade (r=0.33, p <0.001) and adenoid size (r=0.24, p <0.01) in all patients. Tonsil grade was positively related to AHI in all four age groups. Adenoid size was positively related to AHI in the toddler, preschool, school groups, but not in the adolescent group (r=0.11, p=0.37). Tonsil grade and adenoid size were both positively related to AHI in obese and non-obese children. In the regression model, obesity (OR=2.89; 95% CI 1.47-5.68), tonsillar hypertrophy (OR=3.15; 95% CI 2.04-4.88), and adenoidal hypertrophy (OR=1.89; 95% CI 1.19-3.00) significantly increased OSA risk.

Conclusions

Adenotonsillar hypertrophy and obesity are the major determinants of OSA in children. However, the influence of adenoid size decreases in adolescence.     

Association between Obstructive Sleep Apnea and Community-Acquired Pneumonia

BackgroundWe hypothesized that obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) can predispose individuals to lower airway infections and community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) due to upper airway microaspiration. This study evaluated the association between OSA and CAP.MethodsWe performed a case-control study that included 82 patients with CAP and 41 patients with other infections (control group). The controls were matched according to age, sex and body mass index (BMI). A respiratory polygraph (RP) was performed upon admission for patients in both groups. The severity of pneumonia was assessed according to the Pneumonia Severity Index (PSI). The associations between CAP and the Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS), OSA, OSA severity and other sleep-related variables were evaluated using logistic regression models. The associations between OSA, OSA severity with CAP severity were evaluated with linear regression models and non-parametric tests.FindingsNo significant differences were found between CAP and control patients regarding anthropometric variables, toxic habits and risk factors for CAP. Patients with OSA, defined as individuals with an Apnea-Hypopnea Index (AHI) ≥10, showed an increased risk of CAP (OR = 2·86, 95%CI 1·29–6·44, p = 0·01). Patients with severe OSA (AHI≥30) also had a higher risk of CAP (OR = 3·18, 95%CI 1·11–11·56, p = 0·047). In addition, OSA severity, defined according to the AHI quartile, was also significantly associated with CAP (p = 0·007). Furthermore, OSA was significantly associated with CAP severity (p = 0·0002), and OSA severity was also associated with CAP severity (p = 0·0006).ConclusionsOSA and OSA severity are associated with CAP when compared to patients admitted to the hospital for non-respiratory infections. In addition, OSA and OSA severity are associated with CAP severity. These results support the potential role of OSA in the pathogenesis of CAP and could have clinical implications. This link between OSA and infection risk should be explored to investigate the relationships among gastroesophageal reflux, silent aspiration, laryngeal sensory dysfunction and CAP.

Trial Registration

ClinicalTrials.gov {"type":"clinical-trial","attrs":{"text":"NCT01071421","term_id":"NCT01071421"}}NCT01071421     

Brain Structure Network Analysis in Patients with Obstructive Sleep Apnea

Childhood obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is a sleeping disorder commonly affecting school-aged children and is characterized by repeated episodes of blockage of the upper airway during sleep. In this study, we performed a graph theoretical analysis on the brain morphometric correlation network in 25 OSA patients (OSA group; 5 female; mean age, 10.1 ± 1.8 years) and investigated the topological alterations in global and regional properties compared with 20 healthy control individuals (CON group; 6 females; mean age, 10.4 ± 1.8 years). A structural correlation network based on regional gray matter volume was constructed respectively for each group. Our results revealed a significantly decreased mean local efficiency in the OSA group over the density range of 0.32–0.44 (p < 0.05). Regionally, the OSAs showed a tendency of decreased betweenness centrality in the left angular gyrus, and a tendency of decreased degree in the right lingual and inferior frontal (orbital part) gyrus (p < 0.005, uncorrected). We also found that the network hubs in OSA and controls were distributed differently. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study that characterizes the brain structure network in OSA patients and invests the alteration of topological properties of gray matter volume structural network. This study may help to provide new evidence for understanding the neuropathophysiology of OSA from a topological perspective.     

硫辛酸对阻塞性睡眠呼吸暂停低通气综合征患者睡眠呼吸情况及相关生化指标的影响

目的:探讨硫辛酸对阻塞性睡眠呼吸暂停低通气综合征(OSAHS)患者睡眠呼吸情况及相关生化指标的影响。方法:选取石家庄市第一医院收治的OSAHS患者60例,采用随机数字表法分为对照组(n=30)和观察组(n=30)。对照组给予常规治疗,观察组在对照组基础上口服硫辛酸胶囊,疗程为12周。对比两组患者的临床疗效、爱泼沃斯嗜睡量表(ESS)评分,睡眠呼吸情况、糖脂代谢、肝功能及氧化应激指标水平。结果:与对照组比较,观察组治疗后的有效率升高,ESS评分降低(P0.05)。与对照组比较,观察组治疗后呼吸暂停低通气指数(AHI)、脉压(PP)降低,最长呼吸暂停时间缩短,血氧饱和度(SaO2)水平升高(P0.05)。与对照组比较,观察组治疗后空腹血糖、餐后2 h血糖、谷草转氨酶(AST)、甘油三酯(TG)、谷丙转氨酶(ALT)、总胆固醇(TC)、碱性磷酸酶(ALP)、丙二醛(MDA)水平降低,超氧化物歧化酶(SOD)、谷胱甘肽过氧化物酶(GSH-Px)水平升高(P0.05)。结论:采用硫辛酸治疗OSAHS患者具有较好的临床疗效,能够改善患者睡眠呼吸情况及肝功能,调节糖脂代谢,降低氧化应激反应。     

不同性别间颈动脉粥样硬化相关危险因素差异的研究

目的:探讨中年人群中不同性别间颈动脉粥样硬化相关危险因素的差异。方法:将104例中年颈动脉粥样硬化患者作为研究对象,其中男53例,女51例,比较两组体质量指数(BMI)、收缩压(SBP)、舒张压(DBP)、甘油三酯(TG)、总胆固醇(TC)、低密度脂蛋白胆固醇(LDL-C)、高密度脂蛋白胆固醇(HDL-C)、脂蛋白(a)[Lp(a)]、空腹血糖(FBG)、血尿酸(UA)、超敏CRP(hs-CRP)的差异。结果:男性组BMI、TG、UA较女性组高,HDL-C、Lp(a)较女性组低,差异有统计学意义(P<0.05)。结论:有些颈动脉粥样硬化相关危险因素在不同性别中年人群中具有差异。     

The Differences in Homocysteine Level between Obstructive Sleep Apnea Patients and Controls: A Meta-Analysis

Background

Studies have reported inconsistent findings regarding the relationship between obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) and homocysteine (HCY) level. This study aimed to assess the difference in plasma HCY level between OSA patients and controls by conducting a meta-analysis of published studies.

Methods

Database of PubMed, SCI, and China National Knowledge Internet (CNKI) were comprehensively searched. Eligible studies regarding plasma HCY level in OSA patients were identified by two independent reviewers. RevMan (version 5.2) and STATA (version 12.0) were employed for data synthesis.

Results

A total of 10 studies involving 432 subjects were included. Meta-analysis showed that plasma HCY levels in OSA group were 3.11 µmol/l higher than that in control group (95% confidence interval: 2.08 to 4.15, P<0.01). Subgroup analysis revealed a more significant differences between OSA patients and controls when average body mass index ≥30 (the total weighted mean difference (WMD) was 3.64), average age<50 (the total WMD was 3.96) and average apnea hypopnea index ≥35 (the total WMD was 4.54).

Conclusions

In this meta-analysis, plasma HCY levels were found to be higher in OSA patients compared to control subjects.     

阻塞性睡眠呼吸暂停综合征临床监测分析

目的:探讨阻塞性睡眠呼吸暂停综合征患者的临床特征及评价疗效。方法:回顾分析70例阻塞性睡眠呼吸暂停综合征患者PSG监测数据。结果:随着呼吸紊乱指数的增加,年龄、体重指数、最长呼吸暂停时间、最低SaO_2%、平均SaO_2%下降等指标在轻度与中、重度SAS之间差异显著;70例患者中伴有高血压52.9%、糖尿病5.7%、冠心病21.4%。结论:OSAS是一种具有潜在危险的疾痛,对OSAS早期诊断治疗是预防发生严重并发症的关键。     

儿童与成人阻塞型睡眠呼吸暂停低通气综合征代谢异常特征的比较

目的：探讨儿童及成人阻塞型睡眠呼吸暂停低通气综合症（OSAHS）发病原因、睡眠呼吸紊乱严重程度及合并代谢异常程度的差别。方法：对我院2003年1月1日至20]0年7月1日71例诊断为OSAHS住院患者进行回顾性调查,登记年龄、性男日、发病原因、血压、白细胞计数、中性粒细胞比率、淋巴细胞比率、呼吸暂停低通气指数（AHI）、夜间最低血氧饱和度、微觉醒指数。根据年龄进行分组,年龄〈18岁者为A组,年龄≥18岁者为B组。比较两组发病原因、睡眠呼吸紊乱及合并代谢异常程度的差剐。结果：1．A组慢性扁桃体炎和（或）腺样体肥大发生率明显高于B组（P〈O．01）,鼻中隔偏曲发生率明显低于B组（P〈0．01）。2．与B组比较,A组AHI及微觉醒指数降低,夜间最低血氧饱和度升高（P〈0．01）;3．与B组比较,A组高血压、中性粒细胞比率、谷丙转氨酶比例降低（P〈0．05）。结论：A组睡眠呼吸紊乱程度及代谢异常较B组程度轻,更需关注成人阻塞型睡眠呼吸暂停低通气综合症的综合治疗。     

Different Impacts of Neck Circumference and Visceral Obesity on the Severity of Obstructive Sleep Apnea Syndrome

Our aim was to investigate the significance of neck circumference (NC) on the presence and severity of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) syndrome independent of visceral fat (VF) obesity. A total of 219 subjects with suspected OSA underwent a complete polysomnography (PSG) study, along with the measurement of NC, and total body fat (TF) and VF levels (VFLs) measured by bioelectrical impedance analysis. We proposed NC divided by height (NC/H) as the simple index for height‐corrected NC in Japanese subjects. NC/H exhibited a significantly stronger correlation than NC per se with BMI (r = 0.781 vs. 0.675, P = 0.0178), TF (r = 0.531 vs. 0.156, P < 0.0001), and VF (r = 0.819 vs. 0.731, P = 0.0203), indicating that NC/H is a better indicator of visceral obesity than NC per se. Interestingly, despite the strong correlation between NC/H and VFL, VFL was significantly associated with the apnea‐hypopnea index (AHI) ≥5, ≥15, and ≥30, but not with ≥40 or ≥50, whereas NC/H was significantly associated with higher AHI values, i.e., AHI ≥50 but not with lower AHI value. Furthermore, multiple regression analyses revealed that VFL and NC/H were independently associated with the square root of AHI (AHI^0.5) levels in obese and nonobese patients, respectively. In conclusion, NC is associated with the severity of OSA independently of visceral obesity, especially in nonobese patients.     

The Dimension of Hyoid Bone Is Independently Associated with the Severity of Obstructive Sleep Apnea

Introduction

We hypothesized that the size of the hyoid bone itself may affect the severity of sleep apnea. The aim of this study was to identify the relationship between hyoid bone dimensions and the severity of sleep apnea using computerized tomography (CT) axial images.

Methods

We retrospectively measured the hyoid bone in axial images of neck CTs and correlated these measurements with results of polysomnography in a total of 106 male patients. The new hyoid bone parameters studied in this study were as follows: distance between bilateral lesser horns (LH-d), distance between bilateral greater horns (GH-d), distance from the most anterior end of the hyoid arch to GH-d (AP), distance from the greater to the lesser horn on right and left sides (GH-LH), and the anterior angle between bilateral extensive lines from the greater to the lesser horn (H-angle). Data was analyzed using univariate and multivariate logistic regression, and Pearson correlation tests.

Results

We found a significant inverse correlation between the apnea-hypopnea index (AHI) and GH-d or AP. Neither the LH-d, GH-LH, nor H-angle were associated with the AHI. The patient group that met the criteria of both GH-d<45.4 and AP<33.4 demonstrated the most severe AHI.

Conclusion

The lateral width or antero-posterior length of hyoid bone was associated with AHI and predicted the severity of sleep apnea in male patients. This finding supports the role of expansion hyoidplasty for treatment of sleep apnea. Pre-operative consideration of these parameters may improve surgical outcomes in male patients with sleep apnea.     

Treatment of the Obstructive Sleep Apnea Syndrome

The obstructive sleep apnea syndrome is a disorder of sleep and breathing that is being recognized with increasing frequency. The pathophysiologic consequences range from mild sleepiness to life-threatening cardiovascular and respiratory decompensation. The primary forms of treatment are directed at modifying the upper airway with either an operation or continuous positive airway pressure. Aside from tracheostomy, which is virtually always successful, other forms of treatment have met with varying results. Ancillary therapy, including oxygen, weight loss and drugs, is often helpful but seldom curative. Follow-up sleep studies are necessary to evaluate the effectiveness of treatment. Selecting therapy for a patient with obstructive sleep apnea requires a comprehensive evaluation including polysomnography, special examinations of the upper airway and assessing the cardiopulmonary status. Therapy is based on the severity of disease and must be tailored to each patient.     

儿童与成人阻塞型睡眠呼吸暂停低通气综合征代谢 异常特征的比较

目的:探讨儿童及成人阻塞型睡眠呼吸暂停低通气综合症(OSAHS)发病原因、睡眠呼吸紊乱严重程度及合并代谢异常程度的差别。方法:对我院2003年1月1日至2010年7月1日71例诊断为OSAHS住院患者进行回顾性调查,登记年龄、性别、发病原因、血压、白细胞计数、中性粒细胞比率、淋巴细胞比率、呼吸暂停低通气指数(AHI)、夜间最低血氧饱和度、微觉醒指数。根据年龄进行分组,年龄<18岁者为A组,年龄≥18岁者为B组。比较两组发病原因、睡眠呼吸紊乱及合并代谢异常程度的差别。结果:1.A组慢性扁桃体炎和(或)腺样体肥大发生率明显高于B组(P<0.01),鼻中隔偏曲发生率明显低于B组(P<0.01)。2.与B组比较,A组AHI及微觉醒指数降低,夜间最低血氧饱和度升高(P<0.01);3.与B组比较,A组高血压、中性粒细胞比率、谷丙转氨酶比例降低(P<0.05)。结论:A组睡眠呼吸紊乱程度及代谢异常较B组程度轻,更需关注成人阻塞型睡眠呼吸暂停低通气综合症的综合治疗。     

Risk of Obstructive Sleep Apnea in Adult Patients with Asthma: A Population-Based Cohort Study in Taiwan

Background

There are several publications reported that obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) was associated with asthma. However, large-scaled, population-based cohort study has been limited. We aimed to examine the risk of OSA among adult patients with asthma in an Asian population.

Methods

We conducted a retrospective cohort study using data from the National Health Insurance (NHI) of Taiwan. The asthma cohort included 38,840 newly diagnosed patients between 2000 and 2010. The date of diagnosis was defined as the index date. Each patient was randomly matched with four people without asthma according to gender, age, and the index year as the comparison cohort. The occurrence of OSA was followed up until the end of 2011. The risk of OSA was estimated using the Cox proportional hazard model after adjusting for gender, age, and comorbidities.

Results

The overall incidence of OSA was 2.51-fold greater in the asthma cohort than in the comparison cohort (12.1 versus 4.84 per 1000 person-years). Compared to non-asthma subjects, the adjusted hazard ratio (aHR) of OSA increased to 1.78 for asthma patients with one or less annual emergency room (ER) visit, and 23.8 for those who visited ER more than once per year. In addition, aHR in patients with inhaled steroid treatment compared to those without steroid treatment was 1.33 (95% CI = 1.01–1.76).

Conclusion

Patients with asthma have a significantly higher risk of developing OSA than the general population. The results suggest that the risk of OSA is proportional to asthma control and patients with inhaled steroid treatment have a higher risk for OSA than those without steroid treatment.     

High Risk for Obstructive Sleep Apnea in Truck Drivers Estimated by the Berlin Questionnaire: Prevalence and Associated Factors

The health issues that attract our attention when analyzing the truck driver population are the high prevalence of sedentary habits, inadequate diet, obesity, and proportion of hypertensive. All these are either considered risk factors for or a consequence of Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA). The objective of this study was to investigate the risk for OSA among 10,101 truck drivers and to correlate it with potentially related factors, such as serum glucose and cholesterol levels, smoking habits, alcohol and drug consumption, and self-reported physical activity. The drivers were invited to participate in the campaign “Saúde na Boléia” (Health Behind the Wheel) promoted by a Brazilian company responsible for the maintenance of approximately 360 km of roads in the country. Drivers who spontaneously stopped at the campaign booths placed along the roads were invited to answer a questionnaire covering sociodemographic data such as age, alcohol, and drug consumption. All participants completed a Berlin Questionnaire and were classified as low- or high-risk subjects for OSA based on questions about snoring, tiredness during the day, and the presence of hypertension or obesity. Blood collection was accomplished at the same site by nurses and/or nursing students collaborating with the campaign for subsequent laboratory studies. Approximately 26% of the truck drivers were found to be at high-risk group for OSA. An adjusted multiple logistic model found the independent risk factors of smoking (OR = 1.16; p = 0.014) and drug use (OR = 1.32; p < 0.0001) were associated with high risk for OSA. The presence of self-reported occasional (OR = 0.62; p < 0.0001) and regular (OR = 0.53; p < 0.0001) physical activity was found to be an independent factor protective of OSA. Educational programs, including ones aimed at improving one's health habits, such as engagement in physical exercise, should be considered in the development of initiatives to reduce the risk for OSA among the truck driver population.     

Impact of Acetazolamide and CPAP on Cortical Activity in Obstructive Sleep Apnea Patients

Study Objectives

1) To investigate the impact of acetazolamide, a drug commonly prescribed for altitude sickness, on cortical oscillations in patients with obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS). 2) To examine alterations in the sleep EEG after short-term discontinuation of continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) therapy.

Design

Data from two double-blind, placebo-controlled randomized cross-over design studies were analyzed.

Setting

Polysomnographic recordings in sleep laboratory at 490 m and at moderate altitudes in the Swiss Alps: 1630 or 1860 m and 2590 m.

Patients

Study 1: 39 OSAS patients. Study 2: 41 OSAS patients.

Interventions

Study 1: OSAS patients withdrawn from treatment with CPAP. Study 2: OSAS patients treated with autoCPAP. Treatment with acetazolamide (500–750 mg) or placebo at moderate altitudes.

Measurements and Results

An evening dose of 500 mg acetazolamide reduced slow-wave activity (SWA; approximately 10%) and increased spindle activity (approximately 10%) during non-REM sleep. In addition, alpha activity during wake after lights out was increased. An evening dose of 250 mg did not affect these cortical oscillations. Discontinuation of CPAP therapy revealed a reduction in SWA (5–10%) and increase in beta activity (approximately 25%).

Conclusions

The higher evening dose of 500 mg acetazolamide showed the “spectral fingerprint” of Benzodiazepines, while 250 mg acetazolamide had no impact on cortical oscillations. However, both doses had beneficial effects on oxygen saturation and sleep quality.