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AimThe impact of OSA-COPD overlap syndrome (OVS) on sleep quality and cardiovascular outcomes has not been fully explored. We aimed to compare clinical and polysomnographic characteristics of OVSversusOSA patients, and to explore pathophysiological links between OVS and comorbidities.Study design and methodsThis cross-sectional analysis initially included data from 5600 patients with OSA and lung function in the European Sleep Apnoea Database (ESADA). Two subgroups of patients with OSA (n=1109) or OVS (n=509) were matched (2:1) based on sex, age, body mass index (BMI), and apnoea-hypopnea index (AHI) at baseline.ResultsAfter matching, OVS patients had more severe hypoxia, lower sleep efficiency and presented higher prevalence of arterial hypertension, ischemic heart disease and heart failure compared to OSA patients.OVS was associated with a significant decrease in sleep efficiency (β −3.0% (95%CI −4.7, −1.3) and in nocturnal mean SpO2(β −1.1% (95%CI −1.5, −0.7). Further analysis revealed that a decrease in FEV1and PaO2was related with a decrease in sleep efficiency and in mean nocturnal SpO2.A COPD diagnosis increased by 1.75 and 1.36 the odds of having heart failure (95%CI 1.15, 2.67) and systemic hypertension (95%CI 1.07, 1.73), respectively.Nocturnal hypoxia was strongly associated with comorbidities, interestingly, the mean nocturnal SpO2and T90 were associated with increase odds of systemic hypertension, diabetes, and heart failure but ODI was only related to hypertension and diabetes.ConclusionOVS patients presented with more sleep-related hypoxia, a reduced sleep quality and a higher risk for heart failure and hypertension.

BackgroundCoexisting obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA) in patients with COPD, defined as overlap syndrome (OVS), is prevalent and underdiagnosed. Routine assessment of OSA is not common practice in COPD care. Our study assessed the clinical impact of sleep assessment by peripheral arterial tonometry (PAT) in COPD patients.Methods105 COPD patients (mean age 68.1±9 years, body mass index (BMI) 28.3±6.0 kg·m−2, 44% males, Global Initiative for Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease (GOLD) stages I to IV in 2%, 40%, 42% and 16%, respectively) underwent assessment at an outpatient COPD clinic including anthropometrics, arterial blood gas (ABG) and spirometry in this clinical cohort study. PAT-based sleep studies were performed. Predictors of OVS and ABG were determined. Rapid eye movement (REM) sleep-related OSA (REM-OSA) was analysed in OVS.Results49 COPD patients (47%) suffered from moderate to severe OSA (OVS group, mean apnoea–hypopnoea index 30.8±18 events·h−1, REM-oxygen desaturation index (REM-ODI) 26.9±17 events·h−1). OVS was more prevalent in males compared to females (59% and 37%, p=0.029, respectively). Age (70.1±8versus66.3±10 years), BMI (30.0±6versus26.4±7 kg·m−2) and hypertension prevalence (71%versus45%) were elevated (all pPaCO2) (β=0.022, pConclusionsOVS was highly prevalent, specifically in obese males. REM-related OSA showed strong association with elevated daytimePaCO2and prevalent cardiovascular disease. PAT was feasible for sleep assessment in COPD.

BackgroundThe prevalence of obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA) is growing as the population is ageing. However, data on the clinical characteristics of elderly patients with OSA and their adherence to positive airway pressure (PAP) treatment are scarce.MethodsData from 23 418 30–79-year-old OSA patients prospectively collected into the ESADA database during 2007–2019 were analysed. Information on PAP use (h·day−1) in association with a first follow-up visit was available for 6547 patients. The data was analysed according to 10-year age groups.ResultsThe oldest age group was less obese, less sleepy and had a lower apnoea–hypopnoea index (AHI) compared with middle-aged patients. The insomnia phenotype of OSA was more prevalent in the oldest age group than in the middle-aged group (36%, 95% CI 34–38versus26%, 95% CI 24–27, p−1(95% CI 5.44–5.75). PAP adherence did not differ between clinical phenotypes based on subjective daytime sleepiness and sleep complaints suggestive of insomnia in the oldest age group. A higher score on the Clinical Global Impression Severity (CGI-S) scale predicted poorer PAP adherence.ConclusionThe elderly patient group was less obese, less sleepy, had more insomnia symptoms and less severe OSA, but were rated to be more ill compared with the middle-aged patients. Elderly patients with OSA adhered to PAP therapy equally well as middle-aged patients. Low global functioning (measured by CGI-S) in the elderly patient predicted poorer PAP adherence.

The aim was to evaluate nasal polyposis as a risk factor for non-adherence to continuous positive airway (CPAP) treatment in patients with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA).Population-based, longitudinal analysis of patients starting CPAP treatment for OSA in the Swedish quality registry Swedevox between 2010-2018. Data were cross-linked with national registries. The impact of nasal polyposis on CPAP adherence was analyzed using uni- and multivariable logistic and linear regression models. Relevant confounders (age, sex, usage of nasal and oral steroids) were identified using a direct acyclic graph.Of 20,521 patients with OSA on CPAP treatment (29.5% females), 331 (1.6%) had a diagnosis of nasal polyposis at baseline. At the 1-year follow-up, nasal polyposis was associated with an increased risk of CPAP usage4 hours/night, unadjusted odds ratio (OR) 1.21 (95% confidence interval (CI) 0.95 - 1.55), adjusted OR 1.38 (95% CI 1.08-1.77). In this group, unadjusted nocturnal mean CPAP usage was 15.4 minutes (95% CI -31.62 - 0.83) shorter and adjusted 24.1 minutes (95% CI -40.6- -7.7) shorter, compared with patients with OSA without nasal polyposis.Nasal polyposis is associated with reduced CPAP usage per night. These results highlight the importance of diagnosing nasal polyposis in patients with OSA before the start of CPAP treatment. Treatment of the condition may improve adherence, efficacy, and patient outcomes.

Persons with Down syndrome (DS) have increased risk of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) needing continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP), but data on the therapy and outcomes in this population are scarce. We aimed to compare patient characteristics and outcomes of CPAP treatment for OSA patients with and without DS.Population-based, longitudinal study on patients initiating CPAP therapy between July 2010 and March 2018 in Sweden and a population-based sex- and age-matched control group (control:case ratio 5:1), with linked data from the Swedish National Patient Registry and the Prescribed Drug Registry (DISCOVERY study cohort).DS patients (n=64) had higher apnea-hypopnea index (AHI) (51.7±30.3 vs 36.8±29.1 events/hour, p0.001), Epworth sleepiness scale (ESS) score (13.7±5.9 vs 11.0±4.9, p=0.001), rate of previous surgery of tonsils and/or adenoids (21.9% vs 8.2%, p=0.001), more thyroid replacement hormone therapy (45.3% vs 7.8%, p0.001), but lower use of cardiovascular drugs (7.8% vs 22.3%, p=0.003) compared to controls. At follow-up after 1.3±0.9 years, there were no differences in nocturnal CPAP usage time (5.6±2.4 vs 5.5±2.0 hours, p=0.77), CPAP adherence ≥4 hours/night (62% vs 65%, p=0.93), or improvement in ESS score (-5.4±6.8 vs -5.0±2.0, p=0.84) between DS and non-DS patients.OSA severity was substantially higher in DS patients despite an increased rate of tonsil surgery. Treatment outcomes in terms of adherence and improved daytime sleepiness were comparable between groups underlining the importance of both OSA diagnosis and treatment in DS patients.

We recruited 5,970 patients with hypertension with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) on current antihypertensive treatment from the European Sleep Apnea Database (ESADA) cohort. The group was subdivided into those receiving monotherapy (n = 3,594) and those receiving dual combined therapy (n = 2,376). We studied how major OSA confounders like age, gender, and body mass index as well as the degree of sleep apnea modified office systolic and diastolic blood pressure. Beta-blockers alone or in combination with a diuretic were compared with other antihypertensive drug classes. Monotherapy with beta-blocker was associated with lower systolic blood pressure, particularly in non-obese middle-aged males with hypertension. Conversely, the combination of a beta-blocker and a diuretic was associated with lower systolic and diastolic blood pressure in patients with hypertension with moderate-severe OSA. Systolic blood pressure was better controlled in female patients using this combined treatment. Our cross-sectional data suggest that specific clinical characteristics and type of antihypertensive medication influence the degree of blood pressure control in patients with hypertension with OSA. Controlled trials are warranted.

The European Somnologist certification programme was developed by the European Sleep Research Society to improve patient care in sleep medicine by providing an independent evaluation of theoretical and practical knowledge. The examination of eligible experts plays a key role in this procedure. A process was started more than 15 years ago to create the European sleep medicine curriculum, eligibility criteria for certification, and sleep centre accreditation criteria. The process was characterised by interdisciplinary collaboration, consensus, and achieving new solutions. During the past 10 years, experience has been gained by the examination and certification of more than 1000 sleep medicine experts from more than 50 countries. The process has continuously been improved. However, as the programme was designed and administered mainly by medical experts in the field, systematic influence from teaching and pedagogic experts was partially underrepresented. The current critical appraisal pinpoints several missing links in the process - mainly as a missing constructive alignment between learning objectives, learning and teaching activities, and the final assessment. A series of suggestions has been made to further improve the ESRS certification programme.

New findings on pathophysiology, epidemiology, and outcome have raised concerns on the relevance of the apnoea–hypopnoea index (AHI) in the classification of obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA) severity. Recently, a multicomponent grading system decision integrating symptomatology and comorbidities (Baveno classification), was proposed to characterise OSA and to guide therapeutic decisions. We evaluated whether this system reflects the OSA population, whether it translates into differences in outcomes, and whether the addition of AHI improves the scheme. A total of 14 499 OSA patients from the European Sleep Apnoea Database cohort were analysed. The groups were homogeneously distributed and were found to clearly stratify the population with respect to baseline parameters. Differences in sleepiness and blood pressure between the groups were analysed in a subgroup of patients after 24–36 months of treatment. Group A (minor symptoms and comorbidities) did not demonstrate any effect of treatment on outcome. However, groups B (severe symptoms, minor comorbidities), C (minor symptoms, severe comorbidities) and D (severe symptoms and comorbidities) were associated with improvement in either or both parameters with treatment. The AHI is an essential prerequisite of the diagnosis; however, adding the AHI did not improve the classification. Rather, it was inferior with respect to guiding the treatment decision. Thus, the Baveno classification allows a better stratification of the OSA population and may provide a better guidance for therapeutic decisions in OSA., The Baveno classification separates the OSA population into equivalent groups that are clearly separated with respect to clinical symptoms and comorbidities. These groups are characterised by differences in hypoxic load and PROMs. https://bit.ly/3sIZqJu

Study Objectives: Patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) often report poor sleep quality, but they commonly exhibit OSA. The aim of this study was to evaluate the influence of OSA severity and of estimated glomerular filtration rate impairment on objective sleep quality in nondialyzed patients with CKD, defined as an estimated glomerular filtration rate, ResMed Foundation ResMed Foundation European Respiratory Society, ERS European Cooperation in Science and Technology, COST, All authors have seen and approved the manuscript. By submitting the manuscript to the journal, the authors affirm that it is an original manuscript, is unpublished work if not as an abstract, and is not under consideration elsewhere. Work for this study was performed at institutions listed in the acknowledgments. This study was funded by support for the European Sleep Apnea Database network from the European Union COST Action B26 and the European Respiratory Society–funded Clinical Research Collaboration (funding 2015–2020). Unrestricted seed grants from the ResMed Foundation and the Philips Respironics Foundation for the establishment of the database in 2007 and 2011 are gratefully acknowledged. The European Sleep Apnea Database has a scientific collaboration with Bayer AG. O.M., F.C, G.R., P.S., P.J., O.K.B., I.B., S.S., A.P., R.S., and J.V. do not have any financial interests or connections, direct or indirect, or other situations that might raise the question of bias in the work reported or the conclusions, implications, or opinions stated. J.H. reports grants from ResMed, Philips Respironics, Bayer, and the European Respiratory Society related to maintenance of the database on behalf of the European Sleep Apnea Database group. L.G. reports a collaboration between the European Sleep Apnea Database network and Bayer. M.R.B. reports research financial support by Vivisol and Medicair Italy and honoraria from ResMed and Bioproject.

European-Respiratory-Society (ERS) International Congress -- SEP 26-30, 2021 -- Thessaloniki, GREECE, [No Abstract Available], European Respiratory Soc

[No Abstract Available]

During the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, sleep medicine services were dramatically reduced worldwide. Implementation of mitigation strategies was suggested by expert organisations and helped to restart sleep medicine services. Distance communication and monitoring during diagnosis, treatment initiation, and treatment follow-up have been used widely, in particular for patients with sleep apnoea. Follow-up studies demonstrate both advantages and potential disadvantages with the use of these new technologies.Emerging epidemiological evidence suggests that obstructive sleep apnoea may be an independent risk factor for adverse outcome in COVID-19, including an increased risk for hospitalisation and elevated mortality. Experimental studies explaining the underlying mechanisms behind these findings are warranted.

Recent studies indicate that ambient temperature may modulate obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA) severity. However, study results are contradictory warranting more investigation in this field. We analysed 19,293 patients of the European Sleep Apnoea Database (ESADA) cohort with restriction to the three predominant climate zones according to the Koppen-Geiger climate classification: Cfb (warm temperature, fully humid, warm summer), Csa (warm temperature, summer dry, hot summer), and Dfb (snow, fully humid, warm summer). Average outside temperature values were obtained and several hierarchical regression analyses were performed to investigate the impact of temperature on the apnea-hypopnea index (AHI), oxygen desaturation index (ODI), time of oxygen saturation, Fundacao para a Ciencia e a Tecnologia (FCT), Portugal; European Union; ResMed Foundation; Philips Respironics Foundation; European Respiratory Society (ERS), RS received financial support by the Fundacao para a Ciencia e a Tecnologia (FCT), Portugal. We would like to thank the members of the Pneumology Department of the University Hospital Lisbon, in particular to Andreia Colaco (RN), Claudia Pereira (RN), Dina Fernandes (RN), and Cristina Barbara (MD, Professor) for their support. The ESADA network was founded during the COST action B26 supported by the European Union and is one of the Clinical Research Collaborations (CRC) funded by the European Respiratory Society (ERS). Unrestricted seeding grants from the ResMed Foundation and the Philips Respironics Foundation for establishment of the database in 2007 and 2011 are gratefully acknowledged. Non--financial support was provided by the European Sleep Research Society (ESRS) and the European Respiratory Society (ERS) in terms of logistics for communication, meetings, and data presentations for the ESADA collaborators.

Recent evidence supports the use of pulse wave analysis during sleep for assessing functional aspects of the cardiovascular system. The current study compared the influence of pulse wave and sleep study-derived parameters on cardiovascular risk assessment. In a multi-centric study design, 358 sleep apnea patients (age 55 ± 13 years, 64% male, body mass index 30 ± 6 kg m-2 , apnea-hypopnea index 13 [5-26] events per hr) underwent a standard overnight sleep recording. A novel cardiac risk index was computed based on pulse wave signals derived from pulse oximetry, reflecting vascular stiffness, cardiac variability, vascular autonomic tone and nocturnal hypoxia. Cardiovascular risk was determined using the ESC/ESH cardiovascular risk matrix, and categorized to high/low added cardiovascular risk. Comparisons between cardiac risk index and sleep parameters were performed for cardiovascular risk prediction. Apnea-hypopnea index, oxygen desaturation index and cardiac risk index were associated with high cardiovascular risk after adjustment for confounders (p = .002, .001

Background and Purpose: An accurate determination of the cardioembolic risk in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) is crucial to prevent consequences like stroke. Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is a known risk factor for both AF and stroke. We aim to explore a possible association between OSA and an increased cardioembolic risk in patients with AF. Methods: We assessed data from the ESADA (European Sleep Apnea Database) cohort where patients with known AF and OSA were included. Parameters of OSA severity and related hypoxia like lowest Sp o 2 and 4% oxygen desaturation index were analyzed. Patients were stratified according to their cardioembolic risk estimated with the CHA 2 DS 2 -VASc score. Results: From the initial cohort of 14 646 patients, a final set of 363 patients were included in the analysis. Indices of hypoxia during sleep were associated with increased CHA 2 DS 2 -VASc score (4% oxygen desaturation index 17.9 versus 29.6 versus 30.5 events/hour and the lowest Sp o 2 81.2 versus 77.8 versus 77.5% for low, moderate, and high cardioembolic risk, respectively, P Conclusions: These results support the potential role of OSA-related hypoxia in the risk for cardioembolic complications such as stroke in patients with AF.

Introduction Positive airway pressure (PAP) treatment modifies blood pressure (BP) in patients with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). We aimed to explore which factors that influence the BP response to PAP therapy in the European Sleep Apnea Database (ESADA). Methods A total of 2662 OSA patients with PAP therapy ≥90 days were included in the analysis (74% male, age 55±11 years, body mass index 32.3±6.1 kg/m2, 47% hypertensives, apnea-hypopnea index 40±24 events/h, treatment duration 1.0±1.1 years, PAP compliance 5.2±1.9 h/day). Anthropometric data, co-medications and office BP were assessed at baseline and follow-up visit. Results Systolic and diastolic BP were modestly reduced after PAP therapy compared to baseline (133±17 vs. 134±17 mmHg, 78±11 vs. 81±11 mmHg, p2 kg at follow up (−2.0 [−3.7 to −0.4], p=0.016), and use of auto-adjusted PAP (−1.3 [−2.5 to −0.02], p=0.046) were associated with a reduction of systolic BP at follow-up. Conclusions BP reduction following PAP treatment in patients with moderate to severe OSA was modest. We identified several predictors of a favorable BP response including the use of auto adjusted PAP. Our findings suggest that weight reduction strategies in addition to PAP treatment should be considered to obtain adequate BP control in OSA patients. Funding Acknowledgement Type of funding source: Other. Main funding source(s): European Respiratory Society funded Clinical Research Collaboration (2015-2020)

Introduction and Aim: Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is associated with a higher cardiovascular risk and abnormal autonomic control can play a role in this context. Thus, heart rate variability (HRV) changes induced by sleep may help to understand the autonomic derangement in OSA. Methods: From the ESADA database, we selected 84 polysomnographies with 10-min ECG segments both pre- and post-dormitum in male patients who underwent a diagnostic sleep study at Sleep Disorder Centre of the Antwerp. Patients were classified as moderate, mild or severe OSA based on the Apnea-Hypopnea Index (AHI). We estimated HRV indices of vagal tone (pNN50+ and RMSSD), of sympatho/vagal balance (short term DFA), and vagal/sympatho balance (SampEn), comparing pre- vs post-dormitum (Wilcoxon paired test). Results and Conclusions: From pre- to post-dormitum, the vagal tone increases significantly in moderate and mild OSA only; the sympatho/vagal balance increases similarly in the three groups, see table (data are expressed as median and interquartile range). Our data suggest that in severe OSA we observe a lower increase of vagal indices in post-dormitum associated with a relative sympathetic overactivity, potentially leading, in turn, to a higher risk of cardiovascular events.

Introduction: Normative values for mean overnight oxygen saturation during sleep in apnoea patients stratified for age, BMI, and sleep apnoea severity are lacking. Aim: To establish reference intervals for overnight mean saturation in a large sleep apnoea patient cohort. Methods: Mean overnight oxygen saturation was analysed in adult patients (n=23,220) from the European Sleep Apnoea Database (ESADA, 30 sleep centres, 18 European countries). Data were classified according to age, gender, BMI ( Results: Mean overnight saturation was 93.0% (95% confidence interval (CI) 92.9 to 93.1%). Age influenced the adjusted mean nocturnal saturation (93.6%, 93.2%, 92.9%, 92.5%, 92.2% and 91.9% for those aged 18-29, 30-39, 40-49, 50-59, 60-69, and ≥70 years, respectively) p Conclusion: This study in a large, multi-centric European sleep apnoea cohort defined reference intervals for mean overnight saturation stratified for important confounders like age, BMI, and smoking. Our findings are applicable to the general practice of sleep medicine.

[No Abstract Available]

Insomnia is associated with metabolic syndrome in a middle-aged population : the SCAPIS pilot cohort

The publication of "The Sleep Apnea Syndromes" by Guilleminault et al. in the 1970s hallmarked the discovery of a new disease entity involving serious health consequences. Obstructive sleep apnea was shown to be the most important disorder among the sleep apnea syndromes (SAS). In the course of time, it was found that the prevalence of obstructive sleep apnea reached the proportions of a global epidemic, with a major impact on public health, safety and the economy. Early on, a metric was introduced to gauge the seriousness of obstructive sleep apnea, based on the objective measurement of respiratory events during nocturnal sleep. The apnea index and later on the apnea-hypopnea index, being the total count of overnight respiratory events divided by the total sleep time in hours, were embraced as principle measures to establish the diagnosis of obstructive sleep apnea and to rate its severity. The current review summarises the historical evolution of the apnea-hypopnea index, which has been subject to many changes, and has been criticised for not capturing relevant clinical features of obstructive sleep apnea. In fact, the application of the apnea-hypopnea index as a continuous exposure variable is based on assumptions that it represents a disease state of obstructive sleep apnea and that evocative clinical manifestations are invariably caused by obstructive sleep apnea if the apnea-hypopnea index is above diagnostic threshold. A critical appraisal of the extensive literature shows that both assumptions are invalid. This conclusion prompts a reconsideration of the role of the apnea-hypopnea index as the prime diagnostic metric of clinically relevant obstructive sleep apnea.

Introduction Patients with COPD have increased respiratory loads and altered blood gases, both of which affect vascular function and sympathetic activity. Sleep, particularly rapid eye movement (REM) sleep, is known to exacerbate hypoxia and respiratory loads. Therefore, we hypothesize that nasal high flow (NHF), which lowers ventilatory loads, reduces sympathetic activity during sleep and that this effect depends on COPD severity. Methods We performed full polysomnography in COPD patients (n=17; FEV1, 1.6±0.6 L) and in matched controls (n=8). Participants received room air (RA) at baseline and single night treatment with O2 (2 L/min) and NHF (20 L/min) in a random order. Finger pulse wave amplitude (PWA), a measure of vascular sympathetic tone, was assessed by photoplethysmography. Autonomic activation (AA) events were defined as PWA attenuation ≥30% and indexed per hour for sleep stages (AA index [AAI]) at RA, NHF, and O2). Results In COPD, sleep apnea improved following O2 (REM-apnea hypopnea index [AHI] with RA, O2, and NHF: 18.6±20.9, 12.7±18.1, and 14.4±19.8, respectively; P=0.04 for O2 and P=0.06 for NHF). REM-AAI was reduced only following NHF in COPD patients (AAI-RA, 21.5±18.4 n/h and AAI-NHF, 9.9±6.8 n/h, P=0.02) without changes following O2 (NHF-O2 difference, P=0.01). REM-AAI reduction was associated with lung function expressed as FEV1 and FVC (FEV1: r=-0.59, P=0.001; FEV1/FVC: r=-0.52 and P=0.007). Conclusion NHF but not elevated oxygenation reduces peripheral vascular sympathetic activity in COPD patients during REM sleep. Sympathetic off-loading by NHF, possibly related to improved breathing mechanics, showed a strong association with COPD severity.

This article describes current knowledge about drug entities that have the potential to induce, aggravate, or modify sleep-disordered breathing. The drug effects on sleep-disordered breathing may vary by patient age, gender, and comorbidity. In general, the clinical relevance of drug-induced sleep-disordered breathing is increasing in sleep medicine and the evidence in the field is growing in parallel.

Background and aims: Chronic widespread pain (CWP) is associated with poor quality of sleep, but the detailed underlying mechanisms are still not fully understood. In this study we investigated the influence of CWP on morning cortisol and fasting glucose concentrations as well as sleep disordered breathing. Methods: In this case-control study, subjects with CWP (n=31) and a control group without CWP (n=23) were randomly selected from a population-based cohort of women. Current pain intensity, sleep quality, excessive daytime sleepiness [Epworth sleepiness scale (ESS)], psychiatric comorbidity and occurrence of restless legs syndrome (RLS) were assessed. Overnight polygraphy was applied to quantify sleep apnoea, airflow limitation and attenuations of finger pulse wave amplitude (>50%) as a surrogate marker for increased skin sympathetic activity. Morning cortisol and fasting glucose concentrations were determined. Generalised linear models were used for multivariate analyses. Results: CWP was associated with higher cortisol (464±141 vs. 366±111 nmol/L, p=0.011) and fasting glucose (6.0±0.8 vs. 5.4±0.7 mmol/L, p=0.007) compared with controls. The significance remained after adjustment for age, body mass index, RLS and anxiety status (β=122±47 nmol/L and 0.89±0.28 mmol/L, p=0.009 and 0.001, respectively). The duration of flow limitation in sleep was longer (35±22 vs. 21±34 min, p=0.022), and pulse wave attenuation was more frequent (11±8 vs. 6±2 events/h, p=0.048) in CWP subjects compared with controls. RLS was associated with higher ESS independent of CWP (β=3.1±1.3, p=0.018). Conclusions: Elevated morning cortisol, impaired fasting glucose concentration and increased skin sympathetic activity during sleep suggested an activated adrenal medullary system in subjects with CWP, which was not influenced by comorbid RLS. Implications: CWP is associated with activated stress markers that may deteriorate sleep.

Left atrial enlargement has been shown to be associated with obstructive sleep apnea in patients with coronary artery disease and in sleep clinic cohorts. However, data from the general population are limited. The aim of this study was to investigate whether there is an association between obstructive sleep apnea and left atrial enlargement in a random sample from a general population of 71-year-old men. As part of the longitudinal population study The Study of Men Born in 1943, we analysed cross-sectional data for 411 men, all 71 years old, who had participated in an overnight home sleep study and a standardized echocardiographic examination. Of the 411 men, 29.4% had moderate to severe obstructive sleep apnea [apnea-hypopnea index score of ≥15 (n = 121)]. These participants showed a significantly higher frequency of systolic heart failure, hypertension, overweight, had greater waist circumference as well as higher left atrial areas compared with men with no or mild obstructive sleep apnea (23.7 ± 5.5 cm2 versus 21.6 ± 4.5 cm2 , P < 0.001). In a linear regression analysis, obstructive sleep apnea was significantly associated with left atrial enlargement after adjusting for overweight, atrial fibrillation, heart failure with reduced ejection fraction, hypertension and mitral regurgitation. Compared with individuals without obstructive sleep apnea, the mean left atrial area was 1.7 ± 1.5 cm2 larger in men with severe obstructive sleep apnea (P < 0.05) and 1.3 ± 1.1 cm2 larger among men with moderate obstructive sleep apnea (P < 0.05). In this cross-sectional study of 71-year-old men from the general population, left atrial area was independently associated with prevalence and severity of obstructive sleep apnea.

European-Respiratory-Society (ERS) International Congress -- SEP 28-OCT 02, 2019 -- Madrid, SPAIN, WOS: 000507372400195, [No abstract available], European Respiratory Soc

Hoff, Erik/0000-0002-0332-8971, WOS: 000519956000005, PubMed: 31808986, Whole blood carbonic anhydrase activity (CAa) is increased in patients with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). Our study investigated the influence of positive airway pressure (PAP) or CA inhibitor acetazolamide (ACT) therapy on CAa, OSA and blood pressure. Thirty-three OSA patients (21 hypertensive, body mass index (BMI) 37 +/- 7 kg/m(2) and apnea-hypopnea index (AHI) of 47 +/- 31 events/hr) were followed-up after PAP treatment (compliance, 4.7 +/- 1.5 hr/day; duration, median 6 [IQR 6,6] months) (Cohort A). A second OSA Cohort (B) contained nine hypertensive patients (BMI, 29 +/- 4 kg/m(2); AHI, 39 +/- 20 events/hr) with 2-week treatment of ACT, PAP or ACT + PAP in an open crossover study. CAa was assessed at baseline and at the end of each treatment period. in Cohort A, baseline CAa was higher in hypertensive, compared with normotensive, patients (1,033 +/- 204 versus 861 +/- 201 units, p = .028). PAP treatment reduced systolic/diastolic blood pressure but not CAa (-9 +/- 11/-5 +/- 7 mmHg and -20 +/- 289 units, p < .001, Swedish Heart and Lung FoundationSwedish Heart-Lung Foundation; Sahlgrenska Academy; Sahlgrenska University Hospital; Gothenburg Medical Society