Heidi H. Sander

Propofol-induced sleep: Polysomnographic evaluation of patients with obstructive sleep apnea and controls

Objective: The localization of upper airway obstruction in patients with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) may optimize treatment. Nasoendoscopy during propofol sedation allows such an evaluation, but the effect of this drug on respiratory patterns and muscle relaxation is unknown. The objective of the present study was to determine through polysomnography whether propofol would change sleep parameters. Study Design: Prospective study of subjects submitted to polysomnography under sedation with propofol. Setting: Tertiary referral center. Subjects and Methods: Fifteen non-obese subjects (4 controls/11 OSA patients) were submitted to two diurnal polysomnograms (90-120 minutes of sleep), with and without the use of propofol. The parameters presence of snoring, apnea-hypopnea index (AHI), oxygen desaturation, and sleep architecture were compared. Results: The use of propofol did not induce snoring in the control subjects, whereas 100 percent of the OSA patients snored. AHI and mean oxygen saturation (SaO2) did not differ significantly between examinations with and without sedation. However, minimum SaO2 differed significantly (P < 0.05) with sedation, being lower during propofol sedation. Propofol also significantly changed the sleep architecture, with a significant increase in N3 sleep (P < 0.005) and total abolishment of rapid eye movement sleep (P < 0.0005) during propofol sedation. Conclusions: These preliminary results allow us to infer that sedation with propofol changes sleep architecture but permits respiratory evaluation, because the main respiratory parameters evaluated in OSA are maintained. These preliminary results support the view that nasoendoscopy under propofol sedation is a promising examination for management of this disease.

Polysomnographic evaluation of propofol-induced sleep in patients with respiratory sleep disorders and controls.

The treatment for obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS) depends on correct localization of upper airway obstruction, exception made for continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP). Drug‐induced sleep endoscopy (DISE) with propofol allows this evaluation, but the drug effects on sleep parameters are not yet well established. Our objective was to study by polysomnography (PSG) whether propofol would change sleep parameters by means of a prospective cross‐sectional clinical study in a tertiary hospital.

Prevalence of restless legs syndrome in the rural town of Cassia dos Coqueiros in Brazil

OBJECTIVE To estimate the prevalence and evaluate the characteristics and severity of restless legs syndrome (RLS) in an urban Brazilian community. METHODS A transversal study was conducted over an 18-month period. A neurologist conducted 1155 interviews using the diagnostic criteria of the International Restless Legs Syndrome Study Group (IRLSSG). RESULTS The lifetime prevalence of RLS was found to be 6.40%. Prevalence during the last year, the last month, and the last week were found to be 5.71%, 5.36%, and 4.15%, respectively. A greater proportion of women met diagnostic criteria for RLS compared to men (OR: 2.63, CI 95%: 1.54-4.51). Furthermore, participants with low monthly family income (<

Obstructive Sleep Apnea Is Frequent in Patients with Hypertensive Intracerebral Hemorrhage and Is Related to Perihematoma Edema

1575 USD) had a lower prevalence of disease compared to those with a high monthly family income (>

SOS score: an optimized score to screen acute stroke patients for obstructive sleep apnea.

1575 USD) (OR: 2.91, CI 95%: 1.41-5.98). CONCLUSIONS This is the first epidemiologic study of RLS conducted in a Brazilian population. The overall prevalence of disease and the greater proportion of RLS in women found in this study are similar to the findings of other studies conducted in western countries. The association of RLS with high family income is unpublished and should be confirmed in subsequent studies.

Short-term mortality and prognostic factors related to status epilepticus

Background: Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is related to increased systemic inflammation and arterial hypertension. We hypothesize that OSA is frequent in patients with acute hypertensive intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) and is related to the perihematoma edema. Methods: Thirty-two non-comatose patients with a hypertensive ICH underwent polysomnography in the acute phase. Perihematoma edema volume was measured on CT scans at admission, after 24 h (early control) and after 4–5 days (late control). The Spearman coefficient (rs) was used for correlations. Results: OSA occurred in 19 (59.4%) patients. The apnea-hypopnea index was correlated with relative edema at admission CT (rs = 0.40; p = 0.031), early CT (rs = 0.46; p = 0.011) and at late CT (rs = 0.59; p = 0.006). Conclusions: OSA is highly frequent during the acute phase of hypertensive ICH and is related to perihematoma edema.

Sleep-disordered breathing among acute ischemic stroke patients in Brazil

BACKGROUND Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is frequent in acute stroke patients, and has been associated with higher mortality and worse prognosis. Polysomnography (PSG) is the gold standard diagnostic method for OSA, but it is impracticable as a routine for all acute stroke patients. We evaluated the accuracy of two OSA screening tools, the Berlin Questionnaire (BQ), and the Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS) when administered to relatives of acute stroke patients; we also compared these tools against a combined screening score (SOS score). METHODS Ischemic stroke patients were submitted to a full PSG at the first night after onset of symptoms. OSA severity was measured by apnea-hypopnea index (AHI). BQ and ESS were administered to relatives of stroke patients before the PSG and compared to SOS score for accuracy and C-statistics. RESULTS We prospectively studied 39 patients. OSA (AHI ≥10/h) was present in 76.9%. The SOS score [area under the curve (AUC): 0.812; P = 0.005] and ESS (AUC: 0.789; P = 0.009) had good predictive value for OSA. The SOS score was the only tool with significant predictive value (AUC: 0.686; P = 0.048) for severe OSA (AHI ≥30/h), when compared to ESS (P = 0.119) and BQ (P = 0.191). The threshold of SOS ≤10 showed high sensitivity (90%) and negative predictive value (96.2%) for OSA; SOS ≥20 showed high specificity (100%) and positive predictive value (92.5%) for severe OSA. CONCLUSIONS The SOS score administered to relatives of stroke patients is a useful tool to screen for OSA and may decrease the need for PSG in acute stroke setting.

Adherence of obstructive sleep apnea syndrome patients to continuous positive airway pressure in a public service

OBJECTIVE Status epilepticus (SE) is associated with significant morbidity and mortality, and there is some controversy concerning predictive indicators of outcome. Our main goal was to determine mortality and to identify factors associated with SE prognosis. METHOD This prospective study in a tertiary-care university hospital, included 105 patients with epileptic seizures lasting more than 30 minutes. Mortality was defined as death during hospital admission. RESULTS The case-fatality rate was 36.2%, which was higher than in previous studies. In univariate analysis, mortality was associated with age, previous epilepsy, complex focal seizures; etiology, recurrence, and refractoriness of SE; clinical complications, and focal SE. In multivariate analysis, mortality was associated only with presence of clinical complications. CONCLUSIONS Mortality associated with SE was higher than reported in previous studies, and was not related to age, specific etiology, or SE duration. In multivariate analysis, mortality was independently related to occurrence of medical complications.

Supine sleep and positional sleep apnea after acute ischemic stroke and intracerebral hemorrhage

OBJECTIVES Sleep-disordered breathing (SDB) is very common in acute stroke patients and has been related to poor outcome. However, there is a lack of data about the association between SDB and stroke in developing countries. The study aims to characterize the frequency and severity of SDB in Brazilian patients during the acute phase of ischemic stroke; to identify clinical and laboratorial data related to SDB in those patients; and to assess the relationship between sleep apnea and functional outcome after six months of stroke. METHODS Clinical data and laboratorial tests were collected at hospital admission. The polysomnography was performed on the first night after stroke symptoms onset. Functional outcome was assessed by the modified Rankin Scale (mRS). RESULTS We prospectively evaluated 69 patients with their first-ever acute ischemic stroke. The mean apnea-hypopnea index (AHI) was 37.7 ± 30.2. Fifty-three patients (76.8%) exhibited an AHI ≥ 10 with predominantly obstructive respiratory events (90.6%), and thirty-three (47.8%) had severe sleep apnea. Age (OR: 1.09; 95% CI: 1.03-1.15; p= 0.004) and hematocrit (OR: 1.18; 95% CI: 1.03-1.34; p= 0.01) were independent predictors of sleep apnea. Age (OR: 1.13; 95% CI: 1.03-1.24; p= 0.01), body mass index (OR: 1.54; 95% CI: 1.54-2.18; p= 0.01), and hematocrit (OR: 1.19; 95% CI: 1.01-1.40; p= 0.04) were independent predictors of severe sleep apnea. The National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS; OR: 1.30; 95% CI: 1.1-1.5; p= 0.001) and severe sleep apnea (OR: 9.7; 95% CI: 1.3-73.8; p= 0.03) were independently associated to mRS >2 at six months, after adjusting for confounders. CONCLUSION Patients with acute ischemic stroke in Brazil have a high frequency of SDB. Severe sleep apnea is associated with a poor long-term functional outcome following stroke in that population.

Narcolepsy with cataplexy in monozygotic twins

INTRODUCTION The standard therapy for obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS) is continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP), but its correct and frequent use is essential to control the disease. PURPOSE To analyze adherence to CPAP among patients with OSAS treated in a multidisciplinary outpatient clinic of a public tertiary hospital. METHODS This was a retrospective study evaluating 156 patients with OSAS who underwent polysomnography for CPAP titration from 2008 to 2011. The patients were divided into two groups, those with good adherence to CPAP (a mean use of four or more hours per night) and those with poor adherence. The groups were compared regarding the following data: gender, age, body mass index, associated diseases, AHI at diagnostic polysomnography, and pressure (cmH2O) suggested by titration polysomnography. RESULTS 125 patients were analyzed, and it was observed that 82 of the patients (65%) had good adherence, whereas 43 (35%) showed poor adherence. Comparison between groups revealed that patients with a higher apnea-hypopnea index (AHI) were those who better adhered to treatment with CPAP. CONCLUSIONS the rate of adherence to CPAP among OSAS patients undergoing clinical monitoring at a public service was 65%. Patients with a higher AHI were those who adhered better to treatment with CPAP.