Muhammad A. Rishi

Atypical antipsychotic medications are independently associated with severe obstructive sleep apnea.

Background:Atypical antipsychotic (AA) medications are widely prescribed for their Food and Drug Administration-approved uses (acute mania, bipolar mania, psychotic agitation, bipolar maintenance, etc) and off-label indications. Although AA medications are associated with substantial weight gain, their tranquilizing effects may independently contribute to risk of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) perhaps, by a reduction in activity of hypoglossal or recurrent activity of laryngeal nerve on the upper motor airway musculature. Methods:We hypothesized that AA medications are associated with more severe OSA independent of weight and neck circumference. Medical intake data and polysomnographic studies of patients referred to community hospital sleep disorders center were analyzed retrospectively. Results:Mean age of patients was 49.1 years, 55.1% were male, and mean body mass index (BMI) was 33.8 kg/m2. Sixty-eight patients (8.1%) were taking AA at the time of polysomnography. There were no differences in age, sex, neck circumference and BMI of AA versus non-AA patients. The mean (SE) apnea-hypopnea index values were 29.2 (3.5)/h in AA patients and 21.3 (0.8)/h in non-AA patients (P = 0.03). Thirty-four percent of AA patients had severe OSA (apnea-hypopnea index > 30/h) compared with 23% of non-AA patients (P = 0.04). When adjusted for BMI, sex, and use of benzodiazepines and sleeping aids, the odds ratios of severe OSA in AA patients were 1.9 times in non-AA patients (95% confidence interval, 1.1-3.3). Conclusions:Atypical antipsychotic medication use may increase the risk of more severe OSA independent of weight and neck circumference.

Use of noninvasive ventilation in adult patients with acute asthma exacerbation.

Noninvasive ventilation (NIV) has been found to be beneficial for respiratory failure in many disease states; however, limited data are available supporting its use in acute asthma exacerbation. A retrospective chart analysis of adult patients admitted for acute asthma exacerbation and treated with NIV between January 2007 and December 2009 at a tertiary care community hospital was done. Ninety-eight patient encounters were identified. Mean age of the patients was 48.3 years, and 46% were male. Nineteen patients failed NIV and required invasive ventilation. There was no significant difference in the mean age, sex, race, and initial blood gas between patients with successful versus failed NIV. Usage of drugs, smoking, and history of past hospital or intensive care unit admission or intubation did not significantly influence the rate of failure of NIV. Patients who needed higher initial FiO2 were more likely to get intubated during their hospital stay (46.2 vs. 20.4%, P = 0.019). Patients who failed NIV were found to have longer duration of hospital stay (6.8 vs. 3.9 days, P= 0.016) and longer intensive care unit stay (4 vs. 0.9 days, P = 0.002). Use of inhalers and other medications was not found to significantly influence the rate of failure of NIV. NIV can be used initially in patients with acute asthma exacerbation, as it is associated with shorter duration of hospital stay and can prevent the morbidity of mechanical intubation. Patients with initial requirement of higher FiO2 were more likely to fail NIV and should be carefully monitored.

Profile of Acute Asthma Exacerbation in Drug Users.

The characteristics of patients who use heroin, cocaine, or both and present with acute asthma exacerbations have not been well studied. In this retrospective study, we aimed to study the demographic characteristics of this patient population, the characteristics of their asthma attack, and the risk factors for the need for invasive mechanical ventilation in this patient population. We reviewed the charts of patients discharged from an inner-city hospital with a diagnosis of acute asthma exacerbation. Individuals who used either heroin or cocaine or both within 24 hours of presenting to the emergency department were identified as a cohort of drug users. The rest were classified as non–drug users. Both groups were compared, and a univariate analysis was performed. To assess the predictive value of drug use for the need for intubation in the presence of confounding factors, logistic regression analysis was performed to identify whether using cocaine or heroin or both was an individual predictor for the need for invasive ventilation. Data from 218 patients were analyzed. Drug users (n = 85) were younger (mean age in years 43.9 vs. 50.5, P < 0.01), predominantly male (63.5% vs. 33.8%, P < 0.01), and more likely to be cigarette smokers (90.6% vs. 57.6%, P < 0.01). A medical history of intubation and admissions to the intensive care unit (ICU) was more common among drug users (56.5% vs. 29.3%, P < 0.01 and 54.1% vs. 38.3%, P < 0.03, respectively). Drug use was associated with increased need for invasive mechanical ventilation (35% vs. 23.3%, P = 0.05). Non–drug users were more likely to be using inhaled corticosteroids (48.9% vs. 32.9%, P = 0.03) and had longitudinal care established with a primary care provider (50.6% vs. 68.9%, P < 0.01). After adjusting for a history of mechanical ventilation, history of ICU admission, use of systemic corticosteroids, smoking, and acute physiological assessment and chronic health evaluation 2 score, drug use remained predictive for the need for mechanical ventilation (P = 0.026). Acute asthma exacerbations triggered by cocaine and heroin should be treated aggressively because they represent a cohort with poor follow-up and undertreated asthma as outpatients and are associated with increased need for invasive mechanical ventilation and ICU admission during acute exacerbation.

Effect of Visualization of Raw Graphic Polysomnography Data by Sleep Apnea Patients on Adherence to CPAP Therapy

BACKGROUND: CPAP is considered to be the cornerstone of therapy for obstructive sleep apnea. However, adherence to this treatment is frequently poor, which may lead to ongoing symptoms, including daytime sleepiness and poor cognitive function. We aimed to determine the efficacy of showing patients their raw graphic polysomnography (PSG) data in increasing their CPAP adherence. METHODS: The subjects were patients with obstructive sleep apnea (n = 37, diagnosed on prior PSG), who were prospectively randomized into an experimental arm or a control arm. The patients in the experimental arm (n = 18) were shown detailed PSG data, including graphic data from PSG prior to prescription of CPAP. The patients in the control arm (n = 19) were shown the non-graphic paper report of the PSG. Adherence data, collected using CPAP devices with internal microprocessors (adherence cards), was read at 4 weeks after treatment initiation. RESULTS: There was no difference in age (57.3 ± 11.8 y vs 55.5 ± 11.6 y, P = .64), body mass index (BMI) (32.7 ± 6.3 kg/m2 vs 32.3 ± 6.6 kg/m2, P = .85), and apnea-hypopnea index (36.0 ± 27.8 events/h vs 30.5 ± 19.1 events/h, P = .48) between the experimental and control arms. There was no difference in percent of days CPAP was used (58% vs 64%, P = .59) and average number of hours each night CPAP was used (3.9 ± 2.1 h vs 4.1 ± 2.5 h, P = .76) between the experimental and control arms, respectively. In multi logistic regression models, which included age, BMI > 30 kg/m2, apnea-hypopnea index, and experimental intervention, only BMI was found to increase likelihood of improved adherence (odds ratio = 13.3, P = .007). CONCLUSIONS: Showing patients raw graphic PSG data does not seem to improve adherence to CPAP. BMI is a very strong predictor of CPAP adherence.

Effect of Positive Airway Pressure Therapy on Body Mass Index in Obese Patients With Obstructive Sleep Apnea Syndrome: A Prospective Study.

Because obesity is a common cause of obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS), weight loss can be an effective treatment. OSAS also may cause weight gain in some patients. Effective treatment of sleep apnea may facilitate weight loss in obese patients. We hypothesize that positive airway pressure (PAP) therapy is associated with weight loss in obese patients with OSAS. This was a single-center observational prospective cohort study. Forty-five patients were diagnosed with OSAS after polysomnographic analysis in sleep laboratory and underwent continuous positive airway pressure titration. Patients were followed for 3 months in terms of change in body mass index (BMI) and compliance with PAP therapy. Of the 45 patients recruited, 3 patients were eliminated because of miss recruitment. Nine patients had incomplete data, and the rest (n = 33) were included for analysis. The mean age was 54.9 ± 16.9 years (mean ± SD), 93.9% were male, and 90.9% were whites. Mean apnea–hypopnea index was 36.3 ± 28.17 events per hour. Mean BMI before treatment was 34.7 ± 3.9 kg/m2. Fifteen patients (45.5%) were compliant with therapy of OSAS with PAP. There was no difference in age, gender, neck circumference, BMI, and apnea–hypopnea index of patients compliant to therapy when compared with those who were not. There was a significant decrease in BMI in patients compliant with PAP therapy compared with noncompliant patients (−1.2 ± 0.7 vs. 0.3 ± 0.9 kg/m2, P ⩽ 0.001). PAP therapy may cause significant loss of weight within 3 months in obese patients with OSAS. Further study is needed to elucidate the physiological basis of this change.

Pulmonary strongyloidiasis associated CD3+ large granular lymphocytosis

We report a case of pulmonary strongyloidiasis in a patient with large granular lymphocytosis. He was on short-term high dose immunosuppressant therapy. A 77-year-old white male presented to the emergency room with fever and shortness of breath for 10 days. The patient had been diagnosed about 3 months prior to this presentation with “large granular lymphocytosis” (LGL) after a workup for pancytopenia. Methotrexate and prednisone had been started 1 month ago for the treatment of LGL. Five days prior to the current presentation, he had been started on moxifloxacin as an outpatient but got progressively worse and came to an emergency room. Bronchial washings (bronchoalveolar lavage) demonstrated numerous filariform larvae of Strongyloides stercoralis. The patient was treated with ivermectin and improved. Pulmonary strongyloidiasis should be considered in the differential if X-ray findings show a interstitial or alveolar pattern and if the patient has visited the endemic areas, even in the remote past.