John Gjevre

Outcomes of Home-Based Diagnosis and Treatment of Obstructive Sleep Apnea

BACKGROUND Home diagnosis and therapy for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) may improve access to testing and continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) treatment. We compared subjective sleepiness, sleep quality, quality of life, BP, and CPAP adherence after 4 weeks of CPAP therapy in subjects in whom OSA was diagnosed and treated at home and in those evaluated in the sleep laboratory. METHODS A randomized trial was performed consisting of home-based level 3 testing followed by 1 week of auto-CPAP and fixed-pressure CPAP based on the 95% pressure derived from the auto-CPAP device, and in-laboratory polysomnography (PSG) (using mostly split-night protocol) with CPAP titration; 102 subjects were randomized (age, 47.4 +/- 11.4 years; 63 men; BMI, 32.3 +/- 6.3 kg/m(2); Epworth Sleepiness Scale [ESS]: 12.5 +/- 4.3). The outcome measures were daytime sleepiness (ESS), sleep quality (Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index [PSQI]), quality of life (Calgary Sleep Apnea Quality of Life Index [SAQLI], 36-Item Short-Form Health Survey [SF-36], BP, and CPAP adherence after 4 weeks. RESULTS After 4 weeks of CPAP therapy, there were no significant differences in ESS (PSG 6.4 +/- 3.8 vs home monitoring [HM] 6.5 +/- 3.8, P = .71), PSQI (PSG 5.4 +/- 3.1 vs HM 6.2 +/- 3.4, P = .30), SAQLI (PSG 4.5 +/- 1.1 vs HM 4.6 +/- 1.1, P = .85), SF-36 vitality (PSG 62.2 +/- 23.3 vs HM 64.1 +/- 18.4, P = .79), SF-36 HM (PSG 84.0 +/- 10.4 vs HM 81.3 +/- 14.9, P = .39), and BP (PSG 129/84 +/- 11/0 vs HM 125/81 +/- 13/9, P = .121). There was no difference in CPAP adherence (PSG 5.6 +/- 1.7 h/night vs HM 5.4 +/- 1.0 h/night, P = .49). CONCLUSIONS Compared with the home-based protocol, diagnosis and treatment of OSA in the sleep laboratory does not lead to superior 4-week outcomes in sleepiness scores, sleep quality, quality of life, BP, and CPAP adherence. TRIAL REGISTRATION clinicaltrials.gov; Identifier: NCT00139022.

Pregnant women with gestational hypertension may have a high frequency of sleep disordered breathing.

BACKGROUND Gestational hypertension is a common complication of pregnancy. Recent evidence suggests that women with gestational hypertension have a high rate of sleep disordered breathing (SDB). Using laboratory-based polysomnography, we evaluated for the frequency of SDB in women with gestational hypertension compared to healthy women with uncomplicated pregnancies. METHODS In this single-center cross-sectional study, women with the diagnosis of gestational hypertension were screened in the Fetal Assessment Unit and Antepartum ward. Healthy subjects were recruited by local advertising. Subjects completed a series of questionnaires addressing sleep quality and daytime sleepiness, followed by full night polysomnography. The primary outcome was frequency of SDB (defined as a respiratory disturbance index ≥ 5) in the gestational hypertension and healthy groups. RESULTS A total of 34 women with gestational hypertension and singleton pregnancies and 26 healthy women with uncomplicated singleton pregnancies consented to participate in the study. The mean ages and gestational ages, but not the body mass indices, of the 2 groups were similar. The frequencies of SDB in the more obese gestational hypertension group and the healthy group were 53% and 12%, respectively (P < 0.001). INTERPRETATION Women with gestational hypertension may have a significantly higher frequency of SDB than do healthy women with uncomplicated pregnancies of similar gestational age. The relative causal contributions, if any, of SDB and obesity remain to be determined.

Restless legs syndrome in a rheumatoid arthritis patient cohort.

Objective:To use the 2003 International Restless Legs Syndrome Study Group (IRLSSG) diagnostic criteria and to evaluate restless legs syndrome (RLS) prevalence in a rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and osteoarthritis (OA) population. Further, we wished to evaluate physician awareness of this disorder by as reflected in prevalence of preexisting diagnoses of RLS in these populations. Methods:This was a questionnaire study of Saskatchewan RA and OA patients enrolled in a longitudinal database study. A data collection instrument, including the 2003 IRLSSG criteria for RLS was distributed to the patients enrolled. Results:Of the 193 respondents, 158 (81.9%) were women. The population consisted of 148 RA and 45 OA patients. RA patients were younger (mean age, 65.8 years) in comparison with those in the OA group (mean age, 72.8 years; P < 0.001). All criteria for RLS were met by 27.7% of RA patients and by 24.4% of OA patients. A previous diagnosis of RLS was reported by 2.6% of patients. Conclusions:A quarter of all our patients met the 2003 IRLSSG criteria, in both RA and OA groups; however, only 2.6% of study patients reported a previous diagnosis of RLS. As RLS can significantly affect quality of life, increased awareness with improvement in surveillance, recognition, and treatment would be beneficial to patient care. We advocate screening for symptoms of sleep disorders to be incorporated into the routine rheumatologic history for all patients with RA and OA.

Relationship between the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index and the Epworth Sleepiness Scale in a sleep laboratory referral population

Background Sleep health questionnaires are often employed as a first assessment step for sleep pathology. The Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS) and the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) are two commonly employed questionnaire instruments. Aspects of sleep health may be measured differently depending on choice of instrument. Objectives In a patient population at high risk for sleep disorders, referred for polysomnography (PSG), we evaluated the level of association between results from these two instruments. Questionnaire results were also compared with measured PSG parameters. Methods Records of patients undergoing overnight PSG in the sleep laboratory between February–June 2011 were retrospectively reviewed for eligibility. Inclusion criteria were met by 236 patients. PSQI and ESS scores, demographic information, and PSG data were extracted from each record for analysis. Four subgroups based on normal/abnormal values for ESS and PSQI were evaluated for between-group differences. Results Of 236 adult participants, 72.5% were male, the mean age was 52.9 years (13.9), mean body mass index (BMI) 34.4 kg/m2 (8.3), mean ESS 9.0 (4.8; range: 0–22), PSQI mean 8.6 (4.2; range: 2–19). The Pearson correlation coefficient was r = 0.13 (P = 0.05) for association between ESS and PSQI. Participants with an abnormal ESS were more likely to have an abnormal PSQI score (odds ratio 1.9 [1.1–3.6]; P = 0.03). Those with an abnormal ESS had higher BMI (P = 0.008) and higher apnea–hypopnea indexes (AHI) (P = 0.05). Differences between the four subgroups were observed for BMI and sex proportions, but not for AHI. Conclusions We observed limited association between these two commonly used questionnaire instruments, the ESS and the PSQI. These two questionnaires appear to evaluate different aspects of sleep. In terms of clinical application, for global assessment of patients with sleep problems, care should be taken to include instruments measuring different facets of sleep health.

Hypersomnolence and sleep disorders in a rheumatic disease patient population.

Objectives:There is increasing awareness of the importance of sleep in health maintenance. Our primary objective was to evaluate prevalence of excess daytime sleepiness in a rheumatic disease patient population. Secondary objectives included evaluation of prevalence of abnormal sleep quality and primary sleep disorders. Methods:Consecutive Rheumatology clinic patients were invited to participate in a self-administered questionnaire study. Included were measures for pain, fatigue, and global functioning, modified Health Assessment Questionnaire, Epworth Sleepiness Score (ESS), Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), Berlin Score, diagnostic criteria for restless legs syndrome (RLS), Centre for Epidemiologic Studies Depression score (CES-D), stress scores, and the short form-36 quality of life instrument. Results:Of 507 consecutive patients invited to participate, 423 agreed. Mean age was 52.1 years; 26% were male. Prevalence of excessive sleepiness (ESS >10) was 25.7%, abnormal sleep quality (PSQI >5) was 67.3%, high risk for obstructive sleep apnea Berlin scores were present in 35.2% and 24% of participants met criteria for RLS. Significantly worse pain, fatigue, global function, short form-36 summary scores, modified Health Assessment Questionnaire, depression, and stress scores were present in patients with higher ESS and PSQI scores. No significant differences in sleep assessment scores were observed between specific rheumatic disease groups. Conclusions:Our findings suggest a high prevalence of unrecognized hypersomnolence, poor sleep quality, and primary sleep disorders in rheumatology patients. We suggest evaluation of sleep health be incorporated into standard clinical assessments of all rheumatology patients. We would recommend this evaluation include the ESS and the criteria for RLS.

Improved sleep efficiency after anti-tumor necrosis factor α therapy in rheumatoid arthritis patients

Background: Poor sleep health is increasingly recognized as contributing to decreased quality of life, increased morbidity/mortality and heightened pain perception. Our purpose in this study was to observe the effect on sleep parameters, specifically sleep efficiency, in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients treated with anti-tumor necrosis factor alpha (anti-TNF-α) therapy. Methods: This was a prospective observational study of RA patients with hypersomnolence/poor sleep quality as defined by the Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS) and Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI). Study patients underwent overnight polysomnograms and completed questionnaire instruments assessing sleep prior to starting anti-TNF-α therapy and again after being established on therapy. The questionnaire included the ESS, PSQI, the Berlin instrument for assessment of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) risk, restless legs syndrome (RLS) diagnostic criteria, and measures of disease activity/impact. Results: A total of 12 RA patients met inclusion criteria, of which 10 initiated anti-TNF-α therapy and underwent repeat polysomnograms and questionnaire studies approximately 2 months later. Polysomnographic criteria for OSA were met by 60% of patients. Following anti-TNF-α therapy initiation, significant improvements were observed by polysomnography (PSG) for sleep efficiency, increasing from 73.9% (SD 13.5) to 85.4% (SD 9.6) (p = 0.031), and ‘awakening after sleep onset’ time, decreasing from 84.1 minutes (SD 43.2) to 50.7 minutes (SD 36.5) (p = 0.048). Questionnaire instrument improvements were apparent in pain, fatigue, modified Health Assessment Questionnaire (mHAQ), and Rheumatoid Arthritis Disease Activity Index (RADAI) scores. Conclusions: Improved sleep efficiency and ‘awakening after sleep onset’ time were observed in RA patients treated with anti-TNF-α therapy.

Prevalence of High Epworth Sleepiness Scale scores in a rural population

BACKGROUND Increased daytime sleepiness is an important symptom of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). OSA is frequently underdiagnosed, and the Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS) can be a useful tool in alerting physicians to a potential problem involving OSA. OBJECTIVE To measure the prevalence and determinants of daytime sleepiness measured using the ESS in a rural community population. METHODS A community survey was conducted to examine the risk factors associated with ESS in a rural population in 154 households comprising 283 adults. Questionnaire information was obtained regarding physical factors, social factors, general medical history, family medical history, ESS score, and self-reported height and weight. Multivariable binary logistic regression analysis based on the generalized estimating equations approach to account for clustering within households was used to predict the relationship between a binary ESS score outcome (normal or abnormal) and a set of explanatory variables. RESULTS The population included 140 men (49.5%) and 143 women (50.5%) with an age range of 18 to 97 years (mean [± SD] 52.0±14.9 years). The data showed that 79.2% of the study participants had an ESS score in the normal range (0 to 10) and 20.8% had an ESS score >10, which is considered to be abnormal or high sleepiness. Multivariable regression analysis revealed that obesity was significantly associated with an abnormal or high sleepiness score on the ESS (OR 3.40 [95% CI 1.31 to 8.80). CONCLUSION High levels of sleepiness in this population were common. Obesity was an important risk factor for high ESS score.

Comparison of polysomnographic and portable home monitoring assessments of obstructive sleep apnea in Saskatchewan women.

OBJECTIVES To compare a commercially available, level III in-home diagnostic sleep test (Embletta, Embletta USA) and in-laboratory polysomnography (PSG) in women with suspected obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). METHODS Consecutive women scheduled for routine PSG testing for evaluation of clinically suspected OSA and who met inclusion⁄exclusion criteria, were invited to participate. An in-home Embletta portable monitor test was performed one week before or after diagnostic PSG. RESULTS Forty-seven of 96 women who met the inclusion⁄exclusion criteria agreed to participate. The mean (± SD) age of the patients was 52.0 ± 11.0 years, with a mean body mass index of 34.86 ± 9.04 kg⁄m2, and 66% (31 of 47) of patients were at high risk for OSA according to the Berlin score. Paired analysis of the overall population revealed no significant difference in mean apnea⁄hypopnea index (AHI) between the two diagnostic methods (P = 0.475). At an AHI of ≥ 5, the Embletta test was highly sensitive (90.6%) in determining abnormal versus normal OSA, with a positive predictive value of 82.7%. However, a higher Embletta AHI threshold of ≥ 10 may be more useful, with a higher level of agreement (kappa coefficient) with PSG testing and a positive predictive value of 92.3%. The in-home study was less useful at distinguishing severe from nonsevere OSA, yielding a sensitivity of 50%. CONCLUSIONS In women believed to be at high-risk for OSA, Embletta in-home sleep testing is useful for the detection of sleep disordered breathing.

Obstructive sleep apnoea in relation to rheumatic disease

Sleep problems are common concerns in rheumatology patients and have been independently linked to increased pain perception and fatigue severity. Evidence supports an increased prevalence of primary sleep disorders, including sleep apnoea, in some rheumatic disease populations, particularly RA. Obstructive sleep apnoea is a significant public health concern and contributes to increased cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. Patients with obstructive sleep apnoea have also been found to have elevations in circulating acute-phase markers and pro-inflammatory cytokines. Co-existence of sleep apnoea in rheumatic disease patients may influence the severity of reported symptoms of pain and fatigue, accelerate the risk of cardiovascular events and possibly influence levels of circulating inflammatory markers and mediators. In this article we review the risk factors, prevalence and impact of sleep apnoea from a rheumatological perspective. Additionally, we recommend considering sleep apnoea screening in patients with rheumatic disease and, when appropriate, referral to a specialized sleep disorders clinic.

Do sleepy rheumatoid arthritis patients have a sleep disorder

OBJECTIVE Subjective reports of sleep dysfunction are common in people with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Our objective was to determine whether excess sleepiness in RA is associated with polysomnographic (PSG) abnormalities. METHODS Twelve RA participants with abnormal sleep scores were identified in clinic and age/gender matched to RA participants with normal Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS) scores. A total of 25 participants were recruited. All participants underwent overnight PSG studies with measurement of apnoea-hypopnoea indexes (AHI). Questionnaire instruments, including the ESS, Berlin questionnaire for sleep apnoea risk, visual analogue scale for fatigue, modified Health Assessment Questionnaire (mHAQ) and the Center for Epidemiologic Studies - Depression (CES-D) score, along with RA assessments, were reapplied on the PSG study night. RESULTS Seven men and 18 women participated. Ten participants had abnormal ESS scores and 15 had normal ESS scores on the PSG night. PSG data revealed that 68% of patients had abnormal AHI (≥ 5). Abnormal ESS (> 10) had an 80% positive predictive value (PPV) for abnormal AHI; the negative predictive value (NPV) of normal ESS was 40%. By contrast, high-risk categorization for obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA) by the Berlin questionnaire had a PPV of 77.8%, and for low-risk status, an NPV of 37.5%. CONCLUSIONS In the present study population, there was a high prevalence of abnormal AHI consistent with OSA. An abnormal ESS had high positive predictive value for an abnormal AHI.