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Introduction: Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder. Current core cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) AD biomarkers, widely employed for diagnosis, require a lumbar puncture to be performed, making them impractical as screening tools. Considering the role of sleep disturbances in AD, recent research suggests quantitative sleep electroencephalography features as potential non-invasive biomarkers of AD pathology. However, quantitative analysis of comprehensive polysomnography (PSG) signals remains relatively understudied. PSG is a non-invasive test enabling qualitative and quantitative analysis of a wide range of parameters, offering additional insights alongside other biomarkers. Machine Learning (ML) gained interest for its ability to discern intricate patterns within complex datasets, offering promise in AD neuropathology detection. Therefore, this study aims to evaluate the effectiveness of a multimodal ML approach in predicting core AD CSF biomarkers. Methods: Mild-moderate AD patients were prospectively recruited for PSG, followed by testing of CSF and blood samples for biomarkers. PSG signals underwent preprocessing to extract non-linear, time domain and frequency domain statistics quantitative features. Multiple ML algorithms were trained using four subsets of input features: clinical variables (CLINVAR), conventional PSG parameters (SLEEPVAR), quantitative PSG signal features (PSGVAR) and a combination of all subsets (ALL). Cross-validation techniques were employed to evaluate model performance and ensure generalizability. Regression models were developed to determine the most effective variable combinations for explaining variance in the biomarkers. Results: On 49 subjects, Gradient Boosting Regressors achieved the best results in estimating biomarkers levels, using different loss functions for each biomarker: least absolute deviation (LAD) for the Aß42, least squares (LS) for p-tau and Huber for t-tau. The ALL subset demonstrated the lowest training errors for all three biomarkers, albeit with varying test performance. Specifically, the SLEEPVAR subset yielded the best test performance in predicting Aß42, while the ALL subset most accurately predicted p-tau and t-tau due to the lowest test errors. Conclusions: Multimodal ML can help predict the outcome of CSF biomarkers in early AD by utilizing non-invasive and economically feasible variables. The integration of computational models into medical practice offers a promising tool for the screening of patients at risk of AD, potentially guiding clinical decisions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Current data support an increase in the prevalence of high blood pressure (HBP) in pediatric patients with sleep-disordered breathing (SDB). Adeno-tonsillectomy has been shown to be an effective treatment for most patients. Our objective was to determine the prevalence of HBP in pediatric patients with SDB and the impact of adeno-tonsillectomy with a multicenter, longitudinal, and prospective study that included 286 children referred for suspected SDB. The diagnosis of SDB was established by polysomnography (PSG) and the diagnosis of HBP by 24-h ambulatory blood pressure monitoring (ABPM). In patients without SDB and SDB without treatment indication, these tests were repeated six months after the baseline visit. For patients with medical treatment for SDB, the tests were repeated six months after the treatment initiation. Finally, in patients with surgery indication, ABPM was performed just before surgical treatment and ABPM and PSG six months after the intervention. The study contributes to elucidating the association between SDB and HBP in pediatric patients. Moreover, it contributes to determining if intervention with adeno-tonsillectomy is associated with BP reduction. The results have direct implications for the management of SDB, providing essential information on treatment indications for existing clinical guidelines. NCT03696654. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Rationale: Approximately 60% of the patients with obstructive sleep apnoea suffer from a positional effect, and approximately 25% of these patients present events only in the supine position.Objective: To validate a new positional vibrating device and evaluate its efficacy in reducing the Apnoea-Hypopnoea Index and the total sleep time in the supine position without disturbing sleep.Methods: A total of 128 patients were recruited for this multicentre, prospective, parallel, randomised controlled trial and were distributed in three arms (general recommendations, inactive and active device). Full overnight polysomnography was performed at baseline and at 12 weeks. Anthropometric variables and sleep and quality of life questionnaires were collected at 4, 8 and 12 weeks.Results: The Apnoea-Hypopnoea Index decreased from 30.6 per hour to 20.4 per hour (p<0.001) in the active device (AD) group. In this group the reduction was 2.3-fold and 3.3-fold than the ones in the general recommendations (GR) and inactive device (ID) groups, respectively (p=0.014). Sleep time in supine position decreased 17.7%±26.3% in GR group (p<0.001), 13.0%±22.4% with ID group (p<0.001) and 21.0%±25.6% in the AD group (p<0.001). Furthermore, total sleep time increased significantly only in the AD group (22.1±57.5 min, p=0.016), with an increased percentage of time in the N3 (deep sleep) and N3+REM (rapid eye movement) stages, without sleep fragmentation.Conclusion: The device was effective in reducing the Apnoea-Hypopnoea Index and time spent in the supine position also in improving sleep architecture. Therefore, the device could be a good option for the management of patients with positional obstructive sleep apnoea.Trial Registration Details: The trial was registered at www.clinicaltrials.gov (NCT03336515). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Obesity hypoventilation syndrome (OHS) is treated with either non-invasive ventilation (NIV) or CPAP, but there are no long-term cost-effectiveness studies comparing the two treatment modalities.Objectives: We performed a large, multicentre, randomised, open-label controlled study to determine the comparative long-term cost and effectiveness of NIV versus CPAP in patients with OHS with severe obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA) using hospitalisation days as the primary outcome measure.Methods: Hospital resource utilisation and within trial costs were evaluated against the difference in effectiveness based on the primary outcome (hospitalisation days/year, transformed and non-transformed in monetary term). Costs and effectiveness were estimated from a log-normal distribution using a Bayesian approach. A secondary analysis by adherence subgroups was performed.Results: In total, 363 patients were selected, 215 were randomised and 202 were available for the analysis. The median (IQR) follow-up was 3.01 (2.91-3.14) years for NIV group and 3.00 (2.92-3.17) years for CPAP. The mean (SD) Bayesian estimated hospital days was 2.13 (0.73) for CPAP and 1.89 (0.78) for NIV. The mean (SD) Bayesian estimated cost per patient/year in the NIV arm, excluding hospitalisation costs, was €2075.98 (91.6), which was higher than the cost in the CPAP arm of €1219.06 (52.3); mean difference €857.6 (105.5). CPAP was more cost-effective than NIV (99.5% probability) because longer hospital stay in the CPAP arm was compensated for by its lower costs. Similar findings were observed in the high and low adherence subgroups.Conclusion: CPAP is more cost-effective than NIV; therefore, CPAP should be the preferred treatment for patients with OHS with severe OSA.Trial Registration Number: NCT01405976. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is a chronic illness that increases in prevalence with age. Treatment includes continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) devices. Studies about the use of CPAP in the elderly are scarce. The main objective of this study is to determine whether CPAP contributes to improvement in health-related quality of life (HRQL) in elderly patients with OSA. Method: This was a prospective, pre-/postintervention assessment of a cohort of patients ≥65 years of age with OSA diagnosis by polysomnography who were being treated with CPAP and were physically independent and had good cognitive status. We determined HRQL before and after 3 months of CPAP treatment using the Short Form-36 Health Survey (SF-36, a 36-item, patient-reported survey) and Sleep Apnea Quality of Life Index (SAQLI). The effect of CPAP on daytime sleepiness was assessed with the Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS). Results: Of the 103 participants with a mean age of 71.5 ± 4.19 years, 66% were male. After 3 months of therapy, the mean CPAP usage was 6.3 ± 1.41 hr/day. The effectiveness of CPAP in controlling the OSA was demonstrated (mean difference pre- and posttherapy: 34.30 ± 18.52 events/hr, p < .001). Postintervention, the categories of the SF-36 improved meaningfully (p < .001). Moreover, all categories of SAQLI improved (p < .001) with the exception of “symptoms” (p = .073). ESS scores also improved significantly (difference = 5.2 ± 4.47, p < .001) postintervention. Conclusion: Therapy with CPAP in elderly patients with OSA helps improve their HRQL and reduces daytime sleepiness. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Rationale: Despite a significant association between obesity hypoventilation syndrome (OHS) and cardiac dysfunction, no randomised trials have assessed the impact of non-invasive ventilation (NIV) or CPAP on cardiac structure and function assessed by echocardiography.Objectives: We performed a secondary analysis of the data from the largest multicentre randomised controlled trial of OHS (Pickwick project, n=221) to determine the comparative efficacy of 2 months of NIV (n=71), CPAP (n=80) and lifestyle modification (control group, n=70) on structural and functional echocardiographic changes.Methods: Conventional transthoracic two-dimensional and Doppler echocardiograms were obtained at baseline and after 2 months. Echocardiographers at each site were blinded to the treatment arms. Statistical analysis was performed using intention-to-treat analysis.Results: At baseline, 55% of patients had pulmonary hypertension and 51% had evidence of left ventricular hypertrophy. Treatment with NIV, but not CPAP, lowered systolic pulmonary artery pressure (-3.4 mm Hg, 95% CI -5.3 to -1.5; adjusted P=0.025 vs control and P=0.033 vs CPAP). The degree of improvement in systolic pulmonary artery pressure was greater in patients treated with NIV who had pulmonary hypertension at baseline (-6.4 mm Hg, 95% CI -9 to -3.8). Only NIV therapy decreased left ventricular hypertrophy with a significant reduction in left ventricular mass index (-5.7 g/m2; 95% CI -11.0 to -4.4). After adjusted analysis, NIV was superior to control group in improving left ventricular mass index (P=0.015). Only treatment with NIV led to a significant improvement in 6 min walk distance (32 m; 95% CI 19 to 46).Conclusion: In patients with OHS, medium-term treatment with NIV is more effective than CPAP and lifestyle modification in improving pulmonary hypertension, left ventricular hypertrophy and functional outcomes. Long-term studies are needed to confirm these results.Trial Registration Number: Pre-results, NCT01405976 (https://clinicaltrials.gov/). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To examine the presence and characteristics of idiopathic REM sleep behavior disorder (IRBD) in a representative Caucasian sample from the elderly community of Lleida, Spain, attending primary care centers.Methods: Participants were individuals aged 60 years or older who underwent routine visits in two primary care centers. They underwent a two-stage study; a validated screening single question for IRBD diagnosis (RBD1Q) followed by, in those who endorsed positive answer, clinical assessment by a neurologist plus video-polysomnography (V-PSG).Results: Of 539 individuals (56.4% women, mean age 72.86 ± 8.20 years), 28 (5.2%) endorsed positively the RBD1Q. Four of these 28 refused further assessments. Four of the 24 remaining subjects underwent clinical assessment but refused V-PSG. Of the 20 who underwent clinical assessment plus V-PSG, REM sleep was not recorded in four (20%, all four taking antidepressants). V-PSG ruled out RBD in 12 subjects who had obstructive sleep apnea (n = 9), periodic limb movement disorder in sleep (n = 2) and normal sleep (n = 1). IRBD was diagnosed in four individuals giving an estimated prevalence of 0.74% (95% CI = 0.29-1.89). They were three men and one woman between 74 and 82 years of age who never reported dream-enacting behaviors to their doctors because they thought they represented a normal phenomenon despite suffering sleep-related injuries. These patients had history of violent sleep behaviors with an interval between estimated RBD onset and V-PSG of 4.5 ± 4.2 years.Conclusions: IRBD is not uncommon in the elderly community and its demographic and clinical profile is similar to those diagnosed in sleep centers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Evidence from longitudinal studies has reported contradictory results regarding the association between OSA and hypertension. In a previous analysis of the Vitoria Sleep Cohort, the relationship between OSA and the risk of developing hypertension was evaluated and no independent association after adjustment for confounding factors was found. In the present study, a post hoc analysis to assess the association between OSA and incident stage 2 hypertension (systolic BP ≥ 160 mm Hg and/or diastolic BP ≥ 100 mm Hg) was made on the basis of sex differences.Methods: A prospective study was performed over 7.5 ± 0.8 years on a middle-aged general population, which included 1,155 normotensive subjects (43.7% men) who completed the follow-up. BP measurements (at baseline and follow-up) and polygraphy at baseline were performed. Logistic regression models were used to determine the association between the respiratory disturbance index (RDI) and stage 2 hypertension and a recursive partitioning method was used to determine the variables related to the incidence of stage 2 hypertension. The RDI was divided into subgroups (0-2.9, 3-6.9, 7-13.9, and ≥ 14), using the first subgroup as reference.Results: For men, an RDI ≥ 14 was associated with a significantly increased OR for stage 2 hypertension (OR, 2.54 [95% CI, 1.09-5.95], P = .032). This association was not statistically significant among women (P = .371).Conclusions: The results suggest an association between moderate and severe OSA, and the incidence of more severe forms of hypertension occurring in men but not in women. However, because this is a community-based study, the women's population characteristics may differ from women usually seen in sleep-disorders clinics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BACKGROUND: Noninvasive ventilation (NIV) titration may be difficult when dynamic airway obstruction episodes persist, even with high expiratory positive airway pressure (EPAP). We aimed to determine the usefulness of videolaryngoscopy during NIV for identifying mechanisms and sites of obstruction and for providing a guide for their resolution in difficult-to-titrate subjects. METHODS: When obstructions during NIV were present in the built-in software, EPAP was raised to 12 cm H2O. If obstructions persisted, a polygraphy during NIV was performed; if the events occurred with effort, a videolaryngoscopy with nasal and oronasal masks in awake subjects was performed. RESULTS: In a population of 208 subjects in whom NIV was initiated, 13 were identified as difficult to titrate with persistent obstructions during NIV despite an EPAP of 12 cm H2O. Videolaryngoscopy during NIV was able to identify the mechanism and the site of obstruction in all cases. The obstruction under oronasal mask ventilation was due to soft-palate (velum) collapse in 4 subjects, to epiglottic backward movement in 5 other subjects, and to tongue-base obstruction reducing the retroglossal space in 3 more. Videolaryngoscopy during NIV demonstrated improvement in 9 subjects (69%) upon changing to nasal mask and suggested a possible surgical approach in 2 (15%); in one of these 2 subjects, a successful uvulopalatopharyngoplasty was performed. CONCLUSIONS: The use of videolaryngoscopy during NIV in difficult-to-titrate patients may help to identify the sites and mechanisms of obstruction and in some cases may improve quality of ventilation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Obesity hypoventilation syndrome (OHS) is associated with a high burden of cardiovascular morbidity (CVM) and mortality. The majority of patients with OHS have concomitant OSA, but there is a paucity of data on the association between CVM and OSA severity in patients with OHS. The objective of our study was to assess the association between CVM and OSA severity in a large cohort of patients with OHS.Methods: In a cross-sectional analysis, we examined the association between OSA severity based on tertiles of oxygen desaturation index (ODI) and CVM in 302 patients with OHS. Logistic regression models were constructed to quantify the independent association between OSA severity and prevalent CVM after adjusting for various important confounders.Results: The prevalence of CVM decreased significantly with increasing severity of OSA based on ODI as a continuous variable or ODI tertiles. This inverse relationship between OSA severity and prevalence of CVM was seen in the highest ODI tertile and it persisted despite adjustment for multiple confounders. Chronic heart failure had the strongest negative association with the highest ODI tertile. No significant CVM risk change was observed between the first and second ODI tertiles. Patients in the highest ODI tertile were younger, predominantly male, more obese, more hypersomnolent, had worse nocturnal and daytime gas exchange, lower prevalence of hypertension, better exercise tolerance, and fewer days hospitalized than patients in the lowest ODI tertile.Conclusions: In patients with OHS, the highest OSA severity phenotype was associated with reduced risk of CVM. This finding should guide the design of future clinical trials assessing the impact of interventions aimed at decreasing cardiovascular morbidity and mortality in patients with OHS.Trial Registry: Clinicaltrial.gov; No.: NCT01405976; URL: www.clinicaltrials.gov. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The American Academy of Sleep Medicine (AASM) defines sleep bruxism as a stereotyped movement disorder characterized by clenching and grinding of the teeth during sleep. Bruxism is found in 14%-20% of children, 8% of adults <60 years old, and 3% of adults >60 years old. The mandibular movements of bruxism can be confused with rhythmic mandibular movements associated with other sleep disorders, such as arousals/microarousals, limb movement disorder, and obstructive sleep apnea/hypopnea syndrome. Polysomnography (PSG) is the study of sleep disorders based on the recording of physiological events throughout an entire night of sleep. This system involves electroencephalography, electrooculography, and electromyography of the submental/suprahyoid, tibialis anterior, mentalis, masseter, and temporal muscles, through which signs of sleep bruxism can be identified. The aim of the present study was to identify bruxism during a night of sleep in a laboratory. Thirty patients were analyzed clinically and underwent PSG. The descriptive analysis correlated apnea, arousals, and limb movements in the 12 patients who exhibited signs and symptoms of sleep bruxism. Of these patients, 4 were confirmed through PSG to have bruxism. In a comparison between the 4 patients with confirmed bruxism (PSGB group) and the 8 patients confirmed not to have bruxism (NPSGB group), the respiratory event index was lower in the PSGB group (13.17 and 17.95, respectively). The mean leg movement index was higher in the PSGB group than the NPSGB group in total sleep time (21.36 and 8.42, respectively) and in rapid eye movement sleep time (34.54 and 10.30, respectively). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective. This study aimed to evaluate cardiovascular (CV) and atherothrombosis risk factors in patients with gout and hyperuricaemia with suspected sleep apnoea–hypopnoea syndrome (SAHS) compared with a control group of subjects with knee OA and SAHS.Methods. Clinical information on CV risk factors and atherothrombosis was collected in a rheumatology department in patients with gout and hyperuricaemia and suspicion of SAHS. Confirmation polysomnography that registered apnoea–hypopnoea index (AHI) and oxygen saturation during sleep (SaO2) was performed. The control group consisted of patients with OA and polysomnographically confirmed SAHS.Results. In the gout patient group (54 patients, 48 men), CV risk factors were found in 77.8% and evidence of atherothrombosis in 46.3%. In the OA group (36 patients, 27 men), CV risk factors were found in 66.7% and evidence of atherothrombosis in 0%. SAHS diagnosis was confirmed by polysomnography in 88.9% of patients. AHI showed mild, moderate and severe SAHS in 12%, 26% and 66% of the gout patients and 45%, 24% and 30% of the OA patients, respectively. SaO2 was 90.18% in the gout group and 91.26% in the OA group.Conclusion. Patients with gout and hyperuricaemia and suspicion of SAHS had polysomnographically confirmed SAHS in 88.9% of cases. These patients had more severe forms of SAHS and a greater prevalence of documented atherothrombotic disease compared with a control group with OA. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article focuses on a study which investigated if continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) therapy is associated with a lower risk of incident hypertension. The study included 1,889 patients without hypertension, who were referred to a sleep center in Zaragoza, Spain for nocturnal polysomnography. Study authors found that the presence of OSA is linked with an increased adjusted risk of incident hypertension, but CPAP therapy reduces risk of hypertension. They concluded that OSA may be used as an independent modifiable risk factor for development of new-onset hypertension.

Objectives: Obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS) is an increasing health problem, the diagnosis of which is generally delayed due to long waiting lists for the tests used to identify it. Therefore, tools that help on classifying patients at higher risk of suffering this syndrome have been developed. Methods: One hundred ninety-three consecutive patients, with and without OSAS, filled in the Spanish version of the STOP-Bang questionnaire in Hospital Universitario de Torrejón (Spain). Polysomnographies were performed to diagnose the presence and severity of the OSAS. Statistics analysis of the demographic characteristics of the sample and the questionnaire results was performed. Results: Most patients were male (73%) and the mean age was 50.4 years (ranging from 19-77 years). Cronbach α coefficient in the sample was 0.8072. A statistically significant difference was noted in the questionnaire scores between patients with OSAS and those without the syndrome. Conclusions: The Spanish version of the STOP-Bang questionnaire possess a good internal consistency that allows us to rely on it as a screening tool for patients with OSAS. In our sample, a difference in the questionnaire score was appreciated between patients with and without the syndrome, which strongly supports the utility of the questionnaire for its purpose. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Background: The coordination between different levels of care is essential for the management of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). The objective of this multicenter project was to develop a screening model for OSA in the primary care setting., Methods: Anthropometric data, clinical history, and symptoms of OSA were recorded in randomly selected primary care patients, who also underwent a home sleep apnea test (HSAT). Respiratory polygraphy or polysomnography were performed at the sleep unit to establish definite indication for continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP). By means of cross-validation, a logistic regression model (CPAP yes/no) was designed, and with the clinical variables included in the model, a scoring system was established using the β coefficients (PASHOS Test). In a second stage, results of HSAT were added, and the final accuracy of the model was assessed., Results: 194 patients completed the study. The clinical test included the body mass index, neck circumference and observed apneas during sleep (AUC 0.824, 95% CI 0.763-0.886, P < 0.001). In a second stage, the oxygen desaturation index (ODI) of 3% (ODI3% ≥ 15%) from the HSAT was added (AUC 0.911, 95% CI 0.863-0.960, P < 0.001), with a sensitivity of 85.5% (95% CI 74.7-92.1) and specificity of 67.8% (95% CI 55.1-78.3)., Conclusions: The use of this model would prevent referral to the sleep unit for 55.1% of the patients. The two-stage PASHOS model is a useful and practical screening tool for OSA in primary care for detecting candidates for CPAP treatment. Clinical Trial Registration Registry: ClinicalTrials.gov; Name: PASHOS Project: Advanced Platform for Sleep Apnea Syndrome Assessment; URL: https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT02591979 ; Identifier: NCT02591979. Date of registration: October 30, 2015., (© 2022. The Author(s).)

Objective: Spain's so-called Stroke Belt is an area with high prevalence of vascular disease. We aimed to determine the prevalence of undetected obstructive sleep apnea-hypopnea syndrome (OSAHS) among patients with acute ischemic stroke (AIS) in southern Spain., Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional study at the Virgen Macarena University Hospital Stroke Unit during 2018 to 2019. We included patients <72 hours after AIS with a neuroimaging lesion and performed sleep tests., Results: Seventy-two patients were included. The median participant age was 72 years. Mean body mass index was 27.07 kg/m 2 , and 40.28% were daily alcohol drinkers. Hypertension, atrial fibrillation, ischemic cardiomyopathy, and previous stroke were detected in 63.9%, 11.1%, 15.3%, and 17.6% of patients, respectively. Polygraphy was feasible in 91.38% of patients. The prevalence of OSAHS was 84.72% (apnea-hypopnea index ≥5). Patients with moderate and severe OSAHS were more likely to be obese and to have a larger neck circumference and facial palsy. The diagnostic criteria of central sleep apnea syndrome were met in only 1.38% of patients., Conclusions: The high prevalence of OSAHS found in the Spanish Stroke Belt justifies further investigation and development of a screening program as a strategy to identify patients with undetected OSAHS.

(1) Background : Sleep disorders are a common problem for public health since they are considered potential triggers and predictors of some mental and physical diseases. Evaluating the sleep quality of a person may be a first step to prevent further health issues that diminish their independence and quality of life. Polysomnography (PSG) is the "gold standard" for sleep studies, but this technique presents some drawbacks. Thus, this study intends to assess the capability of the new Xiaomi Mi Smart Band 5 to be used as a tool for sleep self-assessment. (2) Methods : This study will be an observational and prospective study set at the sleep unit of a hospital in A Coruña, Spain. Forty-three participants who meet the inclusion criteria will be asked to participate. Specific statistical methods will be used to analyze the data collected using the Xiaomi Mi Smart Band 5 and PSG. (3) Discussion : This study offers a promising approach to assess whether the Xiaomi Mi Smart Band 5 correctly records our sleep. Even though these devices are not expected to replace PSG, they may be used as an initial evaluation tool for users to manage their own sleep quality and, if necessary, consult a health professional. Further, the device may help users make simple changes to their habits to improve other health issues as well. Trial registration: NCT04568408 (Registered 23 September 2020).

Introduction: OSAHS is associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular disease and stroke. Arterial hypertension is a key risk factor to consider due to its impact on health., Method: Cross-sectional study carried out on Spanish public service workers. The nocturnal apnoea risk using the Epworth and STOP-Bang questionnaires and their influence on the mean values of blood pressure are assessed., Results: The detection of OSAHS using the Epworth test and, particularly with the STOP-Bang shows a significant relationship with the mean values of blood pressure, with differences between both questionnaires., Conclusion: The Epworth and STOP-Bang questionnaires are useful for the initial detection of OSAHS and a higher prevalence of high blood pressure. Both can be used in screening procedures in occupational health., (Copyright © 2017 SEH-LELHA. Publicado por Elsevier España, S.L.U. All rights reserved.)

Objective: This study aimed to analyze the reliability and validity of the Spanish version of the Medical Outcomes Study Sleep Scale (MOS-SS), and its ability to discriminate between poor and good sleepers among a Spanish population with vestibular disorders., Methods: In all, 121 women (50-76 years old) completed the Spanish version of the MOS-SS. Internal consistency, test-retest reliability, and construct validity (exploratory factor analysis) were analyzed. Concurrent validity was evaluated using the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index and the 36-item Short Form Health Survey. To analyze the ability of the MOS-SS scores to discriminate between poor and good sleepers, a receiver-operating characteristic curve analysis was performed., Results: The Spanish version of the MOS-SS showed excellent and substantial reliability in Sleep Problems Index I (two sleep disturbance items, one somnolence item, two sleep adequacy items, and awaken short of breath or with headache) and Sleep Problems Index II (four sleep disturbance items, two somnolence items, two sleep adequacy items, and awaken short of breath or with headache), respectively, and good internal consistency with optimal Cronbach's alpha values in all domains and indexes (0.70-0.90). Factor analysis suggested a coherent four-factor structure (explained variance 70%). In concurrent validity analysis, MOS-SS indexes showed significant and strong correlation with the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index total score, and moderate with the 36-item Short Form Health Survey component summaries. Several domains and the two indexes were significantly able to discriminate between poor and good sleepers (P < 0.05). Optimal cut-off points were above 20 for "sleep disturbance" domain, with above 22.22 and above 33.33 for Sleep Problems Index I and II., Conclusions: The Spanish version of the MOS-SS is a valid and reliable instrument, suitable to assess sleep quality in Spanish postmenopausal women, with satisfactory general psychometric properties. It discriminates well between good and poor sleepers.

Objectives: To analyze the reliability and validity of the Spanish version of the OSA-18 quality of life questionnaire in children with apnea-hypopnea syndrome (SAHS)., Method: Children with suspected SAHS were studied with polysomnography (PSG) before and after adenotonsillectomy (AA). Age, gender, clinical data, PSG, anthropometric data, and Mallampati and Brodsky scales were analyzed. OSA-18 was administered at baseline and 3-6months post AA. After translation and backtranslation by bilingual professionals, the internal consistency, reliability, construct validity, concurrent validity, predictive validity and sensitivity to change of the questionnaire was assessed., Results: In total, 45 boys and 15 girls were evaluated, showing BMI 18±4, neck 28±5, Brodsky (0: 7%; <25%: 12%; 25-50%: 27%; >50 to <75%: 45%; >75%: 6%), AHI 12±7 pre AA. Global Cronbach alpha was 0.91. Correlations between domains were significant except for emotional aspects, although the total scores correlated with all domains (0.50 to 0.90). The factorial analysis was virtually identical to the original structure. The total scores showed good correlation for concurrent validity (0.2-0.45). With regard to predictive validity, the questionnaire adequately differentiated levels of severity according to Mallampati (ANOVA P=.002) and apnea-hypopnea index (ANOVA P=.006). Test-retest reliability was excellent, as was sensitivity to change, both in the total scores (P<.001) and in each domain (P<.001)., Conclusions: The Spanish adaptation of the OSA-18 and its psychometric characteristics suggest that the Spanish version is equivalent to the original and can be used in Spanish-speaking countries., (Copyright © 2016 SEPAR. Publicado por Elsevier España, S.L.U. All rights reserved.)

Introduction: Obstructive sleep apnoea syndrome (OSAS) has numerous implications for health and can affect neurocognitive functions in patients., Objective: To evaluate the neuropsychological functions most affected by OSAS, the factors associated with OSAS severity that are related to those functional limitations, and the effect of therapy with continuous positive airway pressure., Patients and Method: The sample consisted of 60 participants: 30 patients diagnosed with OSAS (clinical group) and 30 people without the disorder (control group). Memory, intellectual processes, and attention were analysed with selected subtests from the Luria-Nebraska neuropsychological battery (immediate memory, logical memory, intellectual processes, and attentional control subtests)., Results: Patients obtained significantly lower scores than controls in most of the areas evaluated. Associations were identified between subjective sleep quality and conceptual activity (r=-0.279; P<.05) and attentional control (r=-0.392; P<.01); between oxygen saturation and both immediate memory (r=0.296; P<.05) and thematic drawings (r=0.318; P<.05); and between apnoea-hypopnoea index and immediate memory (r=-0.303; P<.05), logical memory (r=-0.359; P<.01), and thematic drawings (r=-0.302; P<.05). Continuous positive airway pressure was shown to be effective (P=.03) only for improving immediate memory in patients with OSAS., Conclusions: Patients with severe OSAS showed memory and attentional limitations, associated with poorer quality of sleep and with worst AHI and SaO2 mean. The CPAP use improved memory of the patients evaluated., (Copyright © 2014 Sociedad Española de Neurología. Published by Elsevier España, S.L.U. All rights reserved.)

The article presents a study which evaluates the effectiveness of continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) on blood pressure (BP) in patients with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) and resistant hypertension. The study conducted randomized controlled trial for 12 weeks. The study concluded that mean 24-hour blood pressure is reduced due to continuous positive airway pressure.

Background: The aim of this study is to describe clinical characteristics, diagnostic and therapeutic procedure (polysomnography and continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP)/bi-level positive airway pressure (BPAP)), comorbidity, length of hospital stay (LOHS), discharge destination, and in-hospital mortality (IHM) of patients hospitalized for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) in Spain over a 5-year study period., Methods: We included all patients who were hospitalized for OSA (ICD9-CM code 327.23) as primary or secondary diagnosis between 2008 and 2012. Data were collected from the National Hospital Discharge Database, covering the entire Spanish population., Results: We identified 196,769 discharges of patients admitted for OSA. The number of patients with OSA as primary or secondary diagnosis increased from 2008 to 2012 from 5358 to 7992 and 14,916 to 51,135 respectively. The mean age was 50.7 ± 20.3 years in patients admitted for OSA as primary diagnosis (n = 32,010) and 63.7 ± 17.6 years in patients admitted for OSA as secondary diagnosis (n = 164,759). The most common secondary diagnoses for patients discharged with a primary diagnosis of OSA was arterial hypertension (19.0%), obesity (16.9%), disorders of lipid metabolism (8.01%) and diabetes mellitus (6.48%). The most common primary diagnoses for patients discharged with a secondary diagnosis of OSA were obesity (12.5%), heart failure (9.6%), and chronic bronchitis (4.5%). The percentage of patients that received continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP)/bi-level positive airway pressure (BPAP) therapy was 11.3%. Patients who received this therapy had a higher length of stay compared with those who did not (10.4 ± 14.1 versus 7.3 ± 9.5 days, respectively, p < 0.05) and were less likely to be discharged to home (87.2 versus 91.1%, p < 0.05). The mortality was higher in the first group of patients (9 versus 5.6%, p < 0.05). Multivariate analysis showed that each year from 2008 to 2012, the mean probability of having OSA as primary diagnosis increased an average of 8%, and 33% as secondary diagnosis, after adjusting for other variables., Conclusions: The results of this study reveal a national perspective on the characteristics and management of OSA in hospitalized patients in Spain during the period of 2008-2012. The burden of the disease seems to be increasing in Spain. Clinical studies are needed to provide a better knowledge of OSA in this subgroup of patients.

Aim: Sleep-related breathing disorders (SRBD) are common in patients with lung transplantation (LT); however, there are few data about its prevalence, and none about its pathogenesis or evolution. The SRBD events consist mainly obstructive, central, and mixed apnea, as well as hypopneas. The aim of this study was to describe the prevalence of SRBD before the LT, and its evolution after a period of 1 year follow-up., Methods: Prospective, observational, descriptive, and analytical study of the SRBD and its evolution in 20 LT patients. The group was studied before and at 6 and 12 months after the LT; in each phase, standard polysomnography was performed, and anthropometric, pathologic, clinical, and pharmacological data were collected., Results: Prevalence of obstructive sleep apnea syndrome was 38% before the LT, 86% at 6 months, and 76% at 12 months after LT. There was a significant increase of weight, body mass index, neck circumference, blood pressure during the first year of follow-up, especially at 6 months after LT. We also observed an increase in the number of central and mixed apneas during the follow-up, although not as remarkable as obstructive apneas. There was no correlation between immunosuppressant studied drugs and any of the studied variables., Conclusions: We have observed a significant prevalence of obstructive sleep apnea syndrome in patients in waiting list for LT, and LT has an important influence in the evolution of the disorder. In our series, LT has somehow affected the stability of upper airway and ventilatory mechanics.

Almost all the information about the effect of continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) in patients with obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA) comes from clinical trials involving only middle-aged patients. The objective of this study was to assess the effect of CPAP treatment in elderly patients with severe OSA on clinical, quality-of-life and neurocognitive spheres. We performed an open-label, randomised, multicentre clinical trial in a consecutive clinical cohort of 224 elderly (≥70 years old) patients with confirmed severe OSA (apnoea-hypopnea index ≥30) randomised to receive CPAP (n=115) or no CPAP (n=109) for 3 months. A sleep study was performed by either full polysomnography or respiratory polygraphy. CPAP titration was performed by an autoCPAP device. The primary endpoint was quality of life (Quebec Sleep Questionnaire) and secondary endpoints included sleep-related symptoms, presence of anxiety/depression, office-based blood pressure and some neurocognitive tests. The mean±sd age was 75.5±3.9 years. The CPAP group achieved a greater improvement in all quality-of-life domains (p<0.001; effect size: 0.41-0.98), sleep-related symptoms (p<0.001; effect size 0.31-0.91) as well as anxiety (p=0.016; effect size 0.51) and depression (p<0.001; effect size: 0.28) indexes and some neurocognitive tests (digit symbol test (p=0.047; effect size: 0.20) and Trail Making Test A (p=0.029; effect size: 0.44)) in an intention-to-treat analysis. In conclusion, CPAP treatment resulted in an improvement in quality of life, sleep-related symptoms, anxiety and depression indexes and some neurocognitive aspects in elderly people with severe OSA., (Copyright ©ERS 2015.)

Introduction: Obstructive sleep apnea-hypopnea syndrome (OSAHS) has health-related outcomes, but the impact of OSAHS on occupational health has been scarcely studied. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of OSAHS on workplace accidents, absenteeism and productivity., Method: One hundred eighty-two OSAHS patients and 71 healthy subjects completed the Epworth Sleepiness Scale, the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index and the Spanish IMPALA (Impact of Disease on Work Productivity) index and answered various questions on workplace accidents and sick leave. Participants were classified to an OSAHS group or a non-OSAHS group according to polysomnography results., Results: Patients with OSAHS had more sick leave lasting longer than 30days (16.6% vs. 7%, P=.049) and lower productivity (63.80% vs. 83.20%, P=.000) than subjects without OSAHS, although the rate of workplace accidents was similar in both groups (27.4% vs 25.4%; P>.050). None of the OSAHS-related variables was associated with workplace accidents. A diagnosis of OSAHS was related with absenteeism. Psychological distress and OSAHS were related with productivity., Conclusions: OSAHS causes limitations in the working lives of patients and leads to a higher incidence of sick leave and lower productivity. A diagnosis of OSAHS was the variable with most influence on the working lives of patients., (Copyright © 2014 SEPAR. Published by Elsevier Espana. All rights reserved.)

Background: Sleep apnea (SA) is associated with cardiovascular diseases and is highly prevalent in patients with pacemakers (PMs)., Objective: To validate a transthoracic impedance sensor with an advanced algorithm (sleep apnea monitoring) for identifying severe SA., Methods: Patients with indications for PM (VVI/DDD) were enrolled regardless of symptoms suggesting SA. Severe SA diagnosis was acknowledged when the full polysomnography gave an apnea-hypopnea index (PSG-AHI) of ≥30 events/h. The PSG-AHI was compared with the respiratory disturbance index evaluated by the SAM algorithm (SAM-RDI) compiled from the device during the same diagnosis night, and the performance of the device and the SAM algorithm was calculated to identify patients with severe SA. The agreement between methods was assessed by using Bland and Altman statistics., Results: Forty patients (mean age 73.8 ± 19.1 years; 67.5% men; body mass index 27.7 ± 4.4 kg/m(2)) were included. Severe SA was diagnosed by PSG in 56% of the patients. We did not retrieve SAM-RDI data in 14% of the patients. An optimal cutoff value for the SAM-RDI at 20 events/h was obtained by a receiver operator characteristic curve analysis, which yielded a sensitivity of 88.9% (95% confidence interval [CI] 65.3%-98.6%), a positive predictive value of 88.9% (95% CI 65.3%-98.6%), and a specificity of 84.6% (95% CI 54.6%-98.1%) (n = 31). The Bland-Altman limits of agreement for PSG-AHI (in events per hour) were [-14.1 to 32.4]., Conclusion: The results suggest that an advanced algorithm using PM transthoracic impedance could be used to identify SA in patients with PMs outside the clinic or at home., (Copyright © 2014 Heart Rhythm Society. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Purpose: To determine the prevalence of eyelid hyperlaxity and floppy eyelid syndrome (FES) in obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA), and the presence of OSA in FES., Participants: One-hundred and fourteen patients who had been consecutively admitted for OSA evaluation and 45 patients with FES in which sleep studies were recorded., Methods: Subjects underwent eyelid laxity measurement, slit-lamp examination and polysomnography., Results: Eighty-nine patients were diagnosed of OSA. Fourteen patients with OSA had FES (16%) and 54/89 (60.67%) had eyelid hyperlaxity. Two of the 25 non-OSA patients had FES (8%) and 8 of 25 (32%) had eyelid hyperlaxity. There was a significantly higher incidence of eyelid hyperlaxity in OSA than in non-OSA patients (p=0.004). Thirty-eight of the 45 patients with FES were diagnosed of OSA (85%) and 65% had severe OSA., Conclusions: OSA might be an independent risk factor for eyelid hyperlaxity and severe OSA is common in patients with FES.

Objectives: The prevalence of fibromyalgia (FM) is much lower in men than in women. Therefore, current knowledge about this chronic pain syndrome emerged mainly from research on women. The aim of the present study was to compare clinical symptoms and sleep parameters between male and female FM patients., Methods: Forty FM patients (18 men and 22 women) aged 48.00±8.45 years were evaluated with questionnaires on pain, sleep, fatigue, depression, anxiety and functional impact, and polysomnography (PSG)., Results: 61% of male FM patients had an apnea-hypopnea index (AHI) greater than 15, compared to 31.8% of women, and a desaturation index (DI) above five, which was twice more prevalent in men than in women. In addition, males had poorer sleep quality (16.05±2.92% vs. 13.08±3.88%; p=0.01) and slow wave sleep (SWS) (stage 3 duration: 9.02±7.84% vs. 14.44±7.32%; p=0.03) than women. No differences were found between the two groups in the level of pain, emotional distress, or daily functioning. However, pain in men, fatigue in women, and functional impact in both sexes seemed to be related to worse sleep quality. Also in women, alterations in total sleep time (TST) and rapid eye movement (REM) sleep features appeared to be related to emotional status., Conclusions: Alterations in sleep respiratory patterns were more highly prevalent in male than in female FM patients. More so in male FM patients, the alterations in sleep patterns, non-refreshing sleep, and other FM-related symptoms observed in this population might be part of a primary sleep-disordered breathing.

Introduction: Genetics is behind our circadian machinery. CLOCK (Circadian Locomotor Output Cycles Kaput) 3111T/C single-nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) has been previously related to obesity and weight loss. However, phenotypic association and functionality of CLOCK 3111 locus is still unknown. The aim of this study was to determine, in free-living conditions, if the presence of CLOCK 3111C in overweight women could be related to (a) circadian disorders, and (b) changes in sleep quality, to improve understanding of the previously demonstrated associations with obesity and reduced weight loss of the C carriers., Methods: Wrist temperature, actimetry and position (TAP) and TAP variables were measured as markers of circadian functionality during 8 consecutive days. A rest-activity and food diary was also completed, whereas sleep quality was determined by domiciliary polysomnography. We recruited 85 women who were overweight with body mass index (BMI) of 28.59±4.30 kg m(-2) and age 43±12 years. From this sample, we found that 43 women were carrying the minor allele (C) for CLOCK 3111T/C SNP and 42 women were TT carriers (major allele carriers). Both groups of patients were matched for number, age, obesity parameters and energy intake., Results: Compared with TT subjects, who showed more robust circadian rhythm profiles, patients with the C allele displayed significant circadian abnormalities: lower amplitude and greater fragmentation of the rhythm, a less stable circadian pattern and a significantly weakened circadian function, as assessed by the circadian function index (CFI). C subjects were also less active, started their activities later in the morning and were sleepier during the day, showing a delayed acrophase that characterizes 'evening-type' subjects., Conclusion: C genetic variants in CLOCK 3111T/C display a less robust circadian rhythm than TT and a delayed acrophase that characterizes 'evening-type' subjects. We support the notion that identifying CLOCK genotypes in patients may assist the therapist in characterization of the roots of the metabolic problem.

Background: Obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS) is a common disorder characterized by excessive daytime sleepiness and repetitive upper airway obstruction episodes during sleep. Clinically, obesity is a major risk factor for developing OSAS. However, OSAS has been associated with hormonal and metabolic alterations that could predispose patients to obesity. The aim of this study was to investigate the independent role of apneas and obesity on plasma levels of metabolic hormones (adiponectin, ghrelin, and leptin) in patients with OSAS., Methods: We have studied patients with OSAS and controls with and without obesity. All patients were male, had an apnea-hypopnea index of 20/h or greater, and were eligible for nasal continuous positive airway pressure (nCPAP) treatment. Patients were considered obese (n = 28) when their BMI was higher than 30 kg/m(2) and non-obese (n = 21) when it was lower than 27 kg/m(2). Non-obese control subjects (n = 20) were non-snorers with a normal cardiorespiratory sleep study, while obese control subjects (n = 10) were recruited from those obese subjects who were visited in our sleep unit and for whom OSAS was excluded by full polysomnography. A single blood sample was obtained from an antecubital vein in all participants after the completion of the nocturnal sleep laboratory recording. Plasma leptin, adiponectin, and ghrelin levels were determined by radioimmunoassay., Results: The adiponectin, ghrelin, and leptin plasma levels were similar in both patients and controls. There were differences in leptin and adiponectin plasma levels between the obese and non-obese in both patient and control groups. In the case of ghrelin, differences between obese and non-obese subjects were only seen in patients. There were no significant differences in hormone levels between the obese controls and obese patients or between non-obese controls and non-obese patients. After 3 months of nCPAP treatment, adiponectin levels decreased significantly both in obese and non-obese patients, and leptin levels decreased in obese patients. Finally, nCPAP did not reduce ghrelin in either obese or non-obese patients., Conclusions: The basal levels of leptin, adiponectin, and ghrelin were mostly associated with obesity. We found that sleep apnea was not a determinant factor in leptin, adiponectin, and ghrelin hormonal levels. Interestingly, nCPAP treatment diminishes leptin in obese OSA patients and adiponectin levels in obese and non-obese patients with OSAS.

Introduction: The increasing prevalence of childhood obesity leads to an increase risk of sleep-disordered breathing and may exacerbate their comorbidities., Purpose: To assess the rate of obesity in children with sleep-disordered breathing and to study the possible clinical and epidemiological differences between children with and without overweight in a private hospital in the Mediterranean area., Materials and Methods: We prospectively studied 340 children between 2 and 10 years. There were 170 children with sleep-disordered breathing (study group) and 170 healthy children (control group). In the problem group, the apnea-hypopnea index was around 7.61 ± 6.3., Results: The comparison of the percentage of cases with a BMI percentile ≥85 (overweight) between problem and control groups (44: 25.9% vs 34: 20%) or with a BMI ≥95 (obesity) (30: 17.6% vs 20: 11.8%) showed no statistically-significant differences. In addition, the comparison of clinical and epidemiological variables in the problem group, cases with (44/170: 25.9%) and without (126/170: 74.1%) overweight, did not show significant differences in any of the parameters analysed., Conclusion: In the population studied, it does not appear that the group of children with sleep breathing disorders presents higher rates of obesity, nor does obesity influence its presentation clinically. These results had probably been influenced by the characteristics of the studied population and therefore should not be an obstacle for being attentive to the possible association of respiratory disease to obesity and its negative consequences., (Copyright © 2011 Elsevier España, S.L. All rights reserved.)

Introduction: There is no specific health-related quality of life (HRQL) questionnaire that has been validated in Spanish for its use in patients with sleep apnea-hypopnea syndrome (SAHS). The objective of the present study was to validate the Spanish version of the Quebec Sleep Questionnaire (QSQ)., Patients and Methods: A multi-center study including a group of patients with SAHS (AHI≥5) referred to the Sleep Unit. All patients completed the following questionnaires: SF-36, FOSQ, QSQ and Epworth scale. Internal consistency, construct validity, concurrent validity, predictive validity, repeatability and responsiveness to change of the QSQ (32 items in five domains: daytime sleepiness, diurnal symptoms, nocturnal symptoms, emotions, and social interactions) were assessed., Results: A hundred twenty one patients were included in the study (mean age: 57 ± 13; mean Epworth: 9 ± 4; mean Body Mass Index (BMI): 28 ± 3 kg·m(-2) and mean AHI: 36 ± 20 hour(-1)). The factorial analysis showed a construct of five factors with similar distribution to the original questionnaire domains. Internal consistency (Cranach's alpha between 0.78 and 0.93 for the different domains), concurrent validity (compared to SF-36, Epworth scale and FOSQ), predictive validity of SAHS severity and test-retest reliability were appropriate. The test showed good responsiveness to change in diurnal (P=.003) and nocturnal symptoms domains (P=.02)., Conclusions: The Spanish version of the QSQ is a valid HRQL measure with appropriate psychometric properties for use in patients with SAHS and is responsive to change in symptoms domains., (Copyright © 2011 SEPAR. Published by Elsevier Espana. All rights reserved.)

Introduction: Hypnic headache is an infrequent type of primary headache characterised by appearing almost exclusively during sleep and by waking the patient up. The pain is dull (generally bilateral), is not associated to autonomic signs and usually appears from the age of 50 onwards., Patients and Methods: A 10-year prospective study was conducted which describes the patients with hypnic headache who were attended in a specialised headache clinic. Data collected include demographic variables, the characteristics of the pain and response to treatment. Data from males and from females were compared., Results: Twenty-four patients were diagnosed with hypnic headache: 15 females and 9 males. There were no differences between sexes as regards the age at onset of the pain, the time elapsed until diagnosis, the number of episodes per month or the amount of time the pain lasted. The males reported a more intense pain (measured by means of the analogical visual scale) than the females. Neither were there any differences in terms of the presence of arterial hypertension or obstructive sleep apnoea syndrome. Response to different symptomatic and preventive treatments was scarce and with no differences between sexes., Conclusions: The pain in hypnic headaches is more intense in males, although this needs to be corroborated in longer series. Further advances need to be made in the pathophysiology of this kind of headache so as to be able to find more efficient preventive pharmacological agents.

Introduction: Health-related quality-of-life (HRQL) tests used in sleep apnea-hypopnea syndrome (SAHS) are time-consuming, complicating their application in clinical practice. The objective was to examine the validity and responsiveness of a simple visual analogical well-being scale (VAWS) for the clinical use., Method: The subjects proceed from a cohort of SAHS patients treated with CPAP for 12 weeks. We correlated the VAWS with other HRQL tests, related clinical and polysomnographic measures to concurrent and construct validities. Responsiveness by: (1) comparison of HRQL tests between before and after treatment and effect size. (2) Association of the change with treatment between VAWS with other HRQL tests and between VAWS with clinical parameters., Results: At baseline, VAWS correlated with all HRQL tests but better with functional outcomes in sleep questionnaires (FOSQ) and European quality-of-life questionnaire (EuroQol) thermometer. VAWS and FOSQ correlated better with clinical variables than other HRQL tests. VAWS captures the magnitude change with treatment similarly to FOSQ but better than other HRQL tests., Conclusion: VAWS is a very simple test which measures HRQL in SAHS. It could be a useful tool in clinical practice, primarily for the responsiveness of treatment.

Purpose: The purpose of this study is to investigate the risk factors for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) in young patients from an urban European city with many migrants., Methods: The medical data of 2,343 patients referred for polysomnography from January 2007 till September 2009 were retrospectively reviewed in order to identify patients younger than 40 years with OSA and assess their characteristics., Results: One hundred twenty-one of the 2,093 patients (6%) referred for diagnostic polysomnography were younger than 40 years and had OSA. There were 17 women and 104 men. The race was Caucasian in 55% (67/121) and African in 42% (51/121). The median apnea-hypopnea index (AHI) was 39 in men and 23 in women (p < 0.01), 30 in Caucasians and 39 in Africans (p = 0.03). BMI was positively correlated to the AHI (correlation of 0.19, p = 0.04). Multiple regression modeling showed that African origin (p = 0.01), current smoking (p = 0.05), and neck circumference (p < 0.01) were predictors of AHI, independently of BMI, but not the presence of upper airway abnormalities (p = 0.75). Co-morbidities were frequent (hypertension, 20%; diabetes, 13%; hypercholesterolemia, 27%; depression, 13%; reflux and gastric ulcer, 13%; hypothyroidism, 5%; asthma, 9%), and were related to BMI (p = 0.02), nocturnal desaturation time (p = 0.02), and African origin (p = 0.024)., Conclusions: In patients aged <40 years and suffering from OSA, disease severity was associated with high BMI, large neck circumference, male sex, and African origin. After adjustment for BMI, African origin, tobacco use, and neck circumference remained predictors of high AHI. Neither upper airway abnormalities nor co-morbidities were found to be a risk factor for higher AHI in this group of young patients from a European city.

Study Objectives: Taking an afternoon nap (siesta) is a common habit. A number of studies have shown an increased cardiovascular mortality in habitual nappers. Afternoon nappers have anthropometric characteristics similar to those of patients with sleep apnea. Nappers appear to suffer from more sleep apnea, which could contribute to cardiovascular disorders. Our aim was therefore to determine the association between sleep apnea and napping, as well as to analyze the relationship of sleep apnea and napping with hypertension., Design: Case-control study., Setting: Residents in the town of Caceres (Spain) with a population of 100,000 inhabitants., Participants: Four hundred five individuals were initially selected (186 nappers and 219 nonnappers)., Interventions: Telephone interviews were conducted to contact habitual nappers and nonnappers. Out of the total population selected, 90 nappers and 88 nonnappers completed the study protocol (personal interview and polysomnography)., Measurements and Results: The nappers had a higher frequency of sleep apnea at the 3 cutoff points studied (apnea and hypopnea index > or = 5, > or = 10, > or = 15). The adjusted odds ratio was between 2.8 (confidence interval, 1.3-5.8) and 5.5 (confidence interval, 2.3-13). Napping was associated with hypertension in the univariate analysis (odds ratio: 2.1; confidence interval, 1.1-4), but this association disappeared once sleep apnea was included as a covariate in the multivariate modeling (odds ratio dropped to 1.1)., Conclusions: Our findings suggest that napping could be regarded as a marker of sleep apnea, which could account for the cardiovascular diseases observed in nappers. Given that napping is common and that sleep apnea is treatable, more attention should be focused on this population.

This study was conducted to determine the influence of puberty on features of sleep-disordered breathing (SDB) in adolescents. The study was performed in a general population sample of 226 adolescents of both sexes (aged 11-19 yrs) recruited from the secondary school population of the city of Seville, Spain. Subjects were divided into two groups: 1) postpubertal, i.e. females who had undergone menarche and males in whom axillary hair development or peak height velocity had occurred > 1 yr before the study; and 2) peripubertal, i.e. females who had not undergone menarche and males who had not developed axillary hair nor reached peak height velocity, or subjects in whom these pubertal changes had appeared < 1 yr before the study. All subjects answered a questionnaire on SDB and underwent overnight cardiorespiratory polygraphy. There were 50 males and 40 females (mean +/- SD age 13.5 +/- 1.2 yrs) in the peripubertal group, and 54 males and 82 females (age 16.3 +/- 1.7 yrs) in the postpubertal group. Males exhibited significantly higher neck circumference/height index and waist/hip index than females in both the peripubertal and postpubertal groups. In the postpubertal group, snoring and polygraphic alterations (respiratory events and oximetric parameters) were significantly more frequent in males than in females. Postpubertal adolescents showed sex differences in clinical and polygraphic parameters that were not observed at earlier pubertal stages. These findings support the influence of sex hormones on sex differences in sleep-disordered breathing.

Introduction: The incidence of associate pathologies has been studied during the sleep, as well as the diagnostic efficiency of the clinical history., Patients and Methods: Patients (n = 136) remitted by diverse services, have been studied. It has been carried out a complete polysomnography, as well as other supplementary studies (anxiety and depression tests, excessive daytime sleepiness Epworth's test, EEG and sleep notebook)., Results: The most common symptom turned out to be the primary snores, followed by the excessive daytime sleepiness and apneas. The results of the excessive daytime sleepiness Epworth's test and the anxiety and depression tests were not useful to differ among pathologies, not even between pathologies and patients with normal sleep. The percentage of diagnosis of suspicion confirmed by the polysomnography was of 39.7%, while in 11% of the total of patients it was observed the existence of more than a pathology of the sleep. In 49.3% of the cases the polysomnographic diagnosis was completely different from the diagnosis of suspicion. Among the patients with clinic suspicion of apnoea, in 48.3% of the cases the existence of the same one was verified, although in 14.6% it was associated with other pathologies. In 51.7% of the patients it was not possible to confirm this pathology., Conclusions: The clinical history is not enough for the diagnosis of the pathologies of the sleep. On the other hand, the existence of associate pathologies diminishes the value of several 'screening-methods'. Therefore, it is fundamental to carry out a complete polysomnography in all the patients that present any sleep disorder on the part of doctors that approach the problem of the sleep in a global way and not only thinking in the possible existence of syndrome of sleep apnoea.

Background and Methods: Drowsiness and lack of concentration may contribute to traffic accidents. We conducted a case-control study of the relation between sleep apnea and the risk of traffic accidents. The case patients were 102 drivers who received emergency treatment at hospitals in Burgos or Santander, Spain, after highway traffic accidents between April and December 1995. The controls were 152 patients randomly selected from primary care centers in the same cities and matched with the case patients for age and sex. Respiratory polygraphy was used to screen the patients for sleep apnea at home, and conventional polysomnography was used to confirm the diagnosis. The apnea-hypopnea index (the total number of episodes of apnea and hypopnea divided by the number of hours of sleep) was calculated for each participant., Results: The mean age of the participants was 44 years; 77 percent were men. As compared with those without sleep apnea, patients with an apnea-hypopnea index of 10 or higher had an odds ratio of 6.3 (95 percent confidence interval, 2.4 to 16.2) for having a traffic accident. This relation remained significant after adjustment for potential confounders, such as alcohol consumption, visual-refraction disorders, body-mass index, years of driving, age, history with respect to traffic accidents, use of medications causing drowsiness, and sleep schedule. Among subjects with an apnea-hypopnea index of 10 or more, the risk of an accident was higher among those who had consumed alcohol on the day of the accident than among those who had not., Conclusions: There is a strong association between sleep apnea, as measured by the apnea-hypopnea index, and the risk of traffic accidents.

To analyze the infrastructure needs for diagnosing sleep apnea syndrome (SAS) in the Community of Valencia, we studied available resources and the diagnostic approaches to SAS in departments of pneumology and neurophysiology in 23 of the 25 public hospitals by means of a telephone interview. Only 52% of pneumology departments and 56% of neurophysiology departments studied SAS at any level. Level I study (conventional polysomnography) was performed by 42% of the pneumology departments and 100% of the neurophysiology departments. The remaining pneumology units used nighttime oximetry (a level IV technique). A special unit and trained personnel were available at 40% of hospitals. Home studies were performed by only 17%. Although 2,000 studies are performed annually, only 1,100 are level I and large interdepartmental differences were detected. The average waiting period was 16 months. Relations between pneumology and neurophysiology units were few and only one hospital took an interdisciplinary approach. The ratio of polysomnographs to inhabitants was 0.52/250,000 and the prevalence of nasal continuous positive airway pressure treatment was 36/100,000, lower than in other communities. We conclude that Valencia is understaffed and under-equipped, and that in some cases resources are under-used. Interdisciplinary approaches are scarcely used by the various specialists involved and the waiting lists for diagnostic tests required for prescribing empirical treatment are long. To attend the approximately 100,000 SAS patients estimated to reside in Valencia, it would be necessary to have 14 polysomnograph devices rather than the 8 available now, as well as to increase staff to meet demand and shorten waiting lists.