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Aim: This study aimed to investigate Italian dentists' knowledge of and attitudes toward obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) in children. Methods: An anonymous questionnaire was prepared using Google Forms and sent to dentists in Italy through private social platforms. The first part of the questionnaire contained basic demographic data questions, and the second part included items about pediatric OSA. Results: A total of 125 responses were collected within 1 month. The interviews revealed gaps in undergraduate and post-graduate training on OSA, and consequently, low self-evaluation of knowledge and self-confidence in managing young patients with OSA. Dentists showed unfavorable attitudes and poor knowledge of the general findings, risk factors, and consequences of pediatric OSA but demonstrated good knowledge of the beneficial effects of rapid maxillary expansion. Orthodontists showed a more favorable attitude and better recognition of the craniofacial features associated with OSA. In addition, a comparison was made between dentists who had graduated more than 5 years ago and new graduates, and differences were found in undergraduate education, which was better for new graduates, and a small number of questions were better answered by experienced dentists. Conclusion: This study showed a lack of knowledge about pediatric OSA and its management among Italian dentists, revealing the need to update the dentistry curriculum and organize educational interventions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: The Respiratory Disturbance Index (RDI) computed by an implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) algorithm accurately identifies severe sleep apnea (SA). In the present analysis, we tested the hypothesis that RDI could also predict atrial fibrillation (AF) burden. Methods: Patients with ejection fraction ≤35% implanted with an ICD were enrolled and followed up for 24 months. One month after implantation, patients underwent a polysomnographic study. The weekly mean RDI value was considered, as calculated during the entire follow‐up period and over a 1‐week period preceding the sleep study. The endpoints were as follows: daily AF burden of ≥5 min, ≥6 h, ≥23 h. Results: Here, 164 patients had usable RDI values during the entire follow‐up period. Severe SA (RDI ≥ 30 episodes/h) was diagnosed in 92 (56%) patients at the time of the sleep study. During follow‐up, AF burden ≥ 5 min/day was documented in 70 (43%), ≥6 h/day in 48 (29%), and ≥23 h/day in 33 (20%) patients. Device‐detected RDI ≥ 30 episodes/h at the time of the polygraphy, as well as the polygraphy‐measured apnea hypopnea index ≥ 30 episodes/h, were not associated with the occurrence of the endpoints, using a Cox regression model. However, using a time‐dependent model, continuously measured weekly mean RDI ≥ 30 episodes/h was independently associated with AF burden ≥ 5 min/day (hazard ratio [HR]: 2.13, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.24–3.65, p =.006), ≥6 h/day (HR: 2.75, 95% CI: 1.37–5.49, p =.004), and ≥23 h/day (HR: 2.26, 95% CI: 1.05–4.86, p =.037). Conclusions: In heart failure patients, ICD‐diagnosed severe SA on follow‐up data review identifies patients who are from two‐ to three‐fold more likely to experience an AF episode, according to various thresholds of daily AF burden. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Recent evidence has emphasized the role of a short lingual frenulum in the pathogenesis of sleep-disordered breathing (SDB) in childhood. The oral dysfunction induced by a short frenulum may promote oral-facial dysmorphism, decreasing the size of upper airway lumen and increasing the risk of upper airway collapsibility during sleep. The aim of this study was to evaluate the presence of a short lingual frenulum as risk factor for SDB in children of school age, with and without snoring, who were recruited from the community.Methods: Children aged 6-14 years were recruited from a school in Rome. For all participants, the previously described Sleep Clinical Record (SCR) was completed, and orthodontic evaluation and measurement of lingual frenulum were performed. Tongue strength and endurance were evaluated in all participants using the Iowa Oral Performance Instrument (IOPI). SDB was defined as positive SCR (≥6.5).Results: We assessed 504 children with mean age of 9.6 ± 2.3 years, and in 114 of them (22.6%) a short frenulum was identified. Children with a short lingual frenulum were at significantly higher risk for a positive SCR compared to those with a frenulum of normal length (odds ratio = 2.980, 95% confidence interval = 1.260-6.997). Participants with positive or negative SCR did not differ in tongue strength or endurance.Conclusion: Short lingual frenulum is a risk factor for SDB. An early multidisciplinary approach and screening for SDB are indicated when this anatomical abnormality is recognized. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BACKGROUND: As many as 80% of patients with asthma suffer from allergic rhinitis (AR), and rhinitis symptoms are associated with sleep complaints The aim of this cross-sectional study was to assess the prevalence of obstructive sleep apnea syndrome risk in patients with asthma and to explore the association between comorbid rhinitis and obstructive sleep apnea syndrome risk. METHODS: Subjects with asthma were recruited by general practitioners during a control visit. Physicians compiled a questionnaire that assessed the presence of AR according to ARIA (Allergic Rhinitis and Its Impact on Asthma) guidelines and factors influencing the risk of obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (gastroesophageal reflux disease, obesity, smoking). Subjects completed a questionnaire evaluating the presence and severity of AR and the STOP-BANG questionnaire (snoring, tiredness during daytime, observed apnea, high blood pressure, body mass index, age, neck circumference, gender), a validated screening method to identify obstructive sleep apnea syndrome risk. Physicians were blinded to the subjects’ questionnaires, ensuring objectivity of the method. RESULTS: The analyses were conducted on 1,941 subjects (males 58%, mean age 48.2 ± 15.2 y): 740 with asthma alone and 1,201 with asthma and AR. STOP-BANG revealed that 52.6% of the subjects were at increased risk of obstructive sleep apnea syndrome: 47.3% of subjects with asthma alone and 55.9% of patients with asthma and AR. Rhinitis was associated with a 1.44 times higher odds ratio for having obstructive sleep apnea syndrome risk. Rhinitis duration and severity were associated with obstructive sleep apnea syndrome risk, although the latter deserved greater importance. The results showed that, once a correction for each of these factors was performed, subjects with AR with an odds ratio of 1.99 were reported to be at risk of obstructive sleep apnea syndrome. CONCLUSIONS: The probable increased risk of obstructive sleep apnea syndrome is associated with the concomitant presence of rhinitis, independent of obesity and other contributors to risk of obstructive sleep apnea syndrome. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Multiple anatomic and functional risk factors contribute to Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA) in children, most of the screening tools only evaluate clinical symptoms. The aim was to describe the evaluation of the short orofacial myofunctional protocol (ShOM) in OSA children, and to analyze if the inclusion of orofacial myofunctional aspects would influence the screening sensitivity/specificity of the Sleep Clinical Record (SCR). Children from Brazil and Italy with sleep disordered breathing were evaluated by full night polygraphy, the SCR and the ShOM. For the analysis of the correlations, we normalized the distribution of the children based on the percentiles of the Apnea and Hypopnea Index (AHI). The children were divided in: Group1: first percentile AHI up to25% (cut-off value: AHI≤1.9); Group 2: second percentile from 25% to 75% (cut-off values: 1.9˂AHI≤7.9); Group3: third percentile AHI˃75% (cut = off value: AHI˃7.9). The findings of SCR and ShOM were compared for each group. ROC curve of the sensitivity and specificity of OSA diagnosis were compared for SCR alone and the combined results of SCR plus ShOM. 86 children, 47 girls, 4–11 years, were included, 34 children were obese and 20 overweight. OSA severity and obesity showed a positive correlation (p = 0.04). Mean ShOM score was 5.64 ± 2.27, with a positive correlation to the SCR (p = 0.002). In Group1, the SCR showed more nasal obstruction, arched palate and OSAS score/positive Brouilette questionnaire and the ShOM scored more alterations to breathing mode, breathing type (p = 0.01) and lip competence. In Group 3, we found more tonsillar hypertrophy, Friedman tongue position alteration (p < 0.001), malocclusion and obesity at SCR and more alterations in tongue resting position, tongue deglutition position and malocclusion at ShOM. The myofuntional evaluation contributed to the screening of OSA in children, while alterations of the tongue (resting and deglutition position) were observed in children with the highest AHI percentile. The combination of SCR and ShOM improved the sensitivity and specificity for the identification of pediatric OSA when compared to SCR alone. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Sleep apnea, as measured by polysomnography, is associated with adverse outcomes in heart failure. The DASAP-HF (Diagnosis and Treatment of Sleep Apnea in Patient With Heart Failure) study previously demonstrated that the respiratory disturbance index (RDI) computed by the ApneaScan algorithm (Boston Scientific) accurately identifies severe sleep apnea in implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD) patients., Objective: The purpose of the long-term study phase was to assess the incidence of clinical events after 24 months and investigate the association with RDI values., Methods: Patients with left ventricular ejection fraction ≤35% implanted with an ICD were enrolled and followed-up for 24 months. The RDI calculated at 1 month after implantation was used to stratify patients (below or above 30 episodes/h). The endpoints were all-cause death and a combination of all-cause death or cardiovascular hospitalization., Results: Of the 265 enrolled patients, 224 had usable RDI values. Severe sleep apnea (RDI ≥30 episodes/h) was diagnosed in 115 patients (51%). These patients were more frequently male (84% vs 72%; P = .030) and had higher creatinine levels. During median follow-up of 25 months, 19 patients (8%) died. Cardiovascular hospitalizations were reported in 19 patients (8%). The risk of all-cause death was higher in patients with RDI ≥30 episodes/h (hazard ratio [HR] 3.33; 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.35-8.21; P = .023), as well as the risk of all-cause death or cardiovascular hospitalization (HR 1.94; 95% CI 1.01-3.76; P = .048). At multivariate analysis, independent predictors of death were RDI ≥30 episodes/h (HR 4.02; 95% CI 1.16-13.97; P = .029) and creatinine levels (HR 2.36; 95% CI 1.26-4.42; P = .008)., Conclusion: In heart failure patients implanted with an ICD, higher RDI values are associated with death and cardiovascular hospitalizations. Device-detected severe sleep apnea independently predicts death., (Copyright © 2020 Heart Rhythm Society. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Background : Sleep-related breathing disorders (SRDB) are a group of pathological conditions characterized by a dysfunction of the upper airways. The value of SRDB's prevalence, in the pediatric population, ranges from 2 to 11% depending on the different methodologies used in measure and the difficulties in the diagnosis. The aim of this study was to assess the prevalence of SRDB using the Pediatric Sleep Questionnaire (PSQ). Methods : 668 patients were enrolled from the Department of Oral and Maxillo-Facial Sciences, Sapienza University of Rome, Italy and from the Unit of Integrated Pediatric Dentistry, University of Murcia, Spain. The questionnaires were administered to patients with no previous orthodontic and surgical treatment who attended on the first visit at the two units of pediatric dentistry. Data regarding general health status were extracted from the standard anamnestic module for first visit. Prevalence and logistic regression models were computed. Results : The ages ranged from 2 to 16 years old (average 7 years old). The prevalence of SRDB was 9.7% for the entire sample. The models showed a positive correlation between three variables (snoring, bad habits, and anxiety) and SRDB. Conclusions : The prevalence obtained demonstrates the relevance of sleep disorders in the pediatric population and highlights the central role of pediatric dentists in the earlier diagnosis of these disorders.

Background and objectives: Obstructive Sleep Apnea represents a widespread problem in the population, but it is often not diagnosed and not considered a true pathology. Different diagnostic tools are available for the diagnosis of sleep apnea. This study aims to demonstrate the ability of the STOP-Bang (Snoring, Tiredness, Observed apnea, high blood Pressure, Body mass index, Age, Neck circumference, and Gender) questionnaire in identifying subjects with Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA) Syndrome, highlighting the role of dentists as epidemiological sentinels. Materials and methods: the STOP-Bang questionnaire was administered to a cohort of 1000 patients, assessing three private dental clinics in Italy. Excessive daytime sleepiness was measured using Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS) and defined as ≥ 10. Subjects were considered at risk of OSA if they had three or more positive items at STOP-Bang and were invited to undergo further examination with a type 3 polygraph. Presence of OSA was measured with the apnea-hypopnea index (AHI) and defined as AHI ≥ 5. Results: 482/1000 subjects (48.2%) had three or more positive items in the STOP-Bang questionnaire and were considered at risk for Obstructive Sleep Apnea Syndrome (OSAS). Excessive daytime sleepiness (EDS ≥ 10) was more frequent among subjects at risk for OSAS (73/482, 15.1%) vs. those not at risk for OSAS (30/518, 5.8%) ( p < 0.0001). Moreover, 153/482 subjects at risk for OSAS (31.7%) accepted further examination with a type 3 polygraph. Presence of OSAS (AHI ≥ 5) was suggested in 121/153 subjects (79.1%, 95% CI 71.6% to 85.1%), with 76/121 subjects (62.8%) needing treatment (AHI ≥ 15). Conclusion: the high prevalence of OSAS highlights the role of dentists as "epidemiological sentinels". The STOP-Bang questionnaire is a simple and efficacious instrument for screening sleep apnea patients.

The increasing number of patients with heart failure HF and comorbidities is due to aging population and increase of life expectancy of patients with cardiovascular disease. Encouraging results derived by recent trials may suggest some comorbidities as new targets for new drugs, highlighting the need for a better understanding of the comorbidities' effects in HF patients and the need of a multidisciplinary approach for the management of chronic HF with comorbidities. We report a brief review about main cardiovascular and non-cardiovascular comorbidities in HF patients in order to update physicians and researchers engaged in the HF research or in "fight against heart failure.", Competing Interests: Declaration of Competing Interest The authors have no financial or other interest in the product or distributor of the product. Furthermore, they have no other kinds of associations, such as consultancies, stock ownership, or other equity interests or patent-licensing arrangements., (Copyright © 2019 European Federation of Internal Medicine. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

Background: In heart failure (HF) sleep problems and sleep-related breathing disorders are frequently reported and are associated with poor prognosis. However, only few large clinical studies have investigated this issue in heart failure through breathing pattern analysis by polysomnography., Methods and Results: 370 HF patients, with either moderate-severe reduced ejection fraction or with clinical decompensation, consecutively referred to 10 participating cardiology centers, have been enrolled in the PROMISES Study, an Italian project aimed at generating a large, multidisciplinary database of anthropometric, clinical, echocardiographic and sleep data, the last derived from overnight unattended cardio-respiratory polysomnography in HF patients. Obstructive sleep apnea was the most frequent form of sleep related breathing disorders observed in our cohort (35.4% with an AHI cutoff of 15). The possible determinants of sleep related breathing disorders were analyzed through stepwise logistic regression analysis and two multivariate models showing that a markedly reduced left ventricular ejection fraction was the most important factor associated with central sleep apneas (OR = 7.7 for AHI cutoff = 15 and LVEF ≤ 35%) together with male gender and increasing age. Conventional risk factors for obstructive sleep apnea did not identify HF patients affected by this condition. Conversely, a greater neck circumference was associated with an increased risk for central apneas., Conclusions: Our paper offers a deeper insight into the features of SRBD and its determinants in HF patients, leading in turn to a better clinical management of these comorbid patients., (Copyright © 2018 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

Background: Increased energy expenditure (EE) has been reported in patients with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). It has been postulated that CPAP treatment may induce weight reduction in obese patients, even if it has not been confirmed by recent studies. In the present study we investigated the effect of OSA on EE and the effect of CPAP on body weight and physical activity., Methods: One hundred and seven obese OSA patients and 25 healthy obese volunteers, as control group, matched for age, sex and BMI, were enrolled. The following evaluation was performed only in OSA patients after 6 months of CPAP treatment., Results: Baseline total EE was similar in the two groups, but OSA patients showed higher EE during the night, while control group during daytime. In patients, EE correlates with OSA severity, degree of daytime sleepiness or obesity. At follow-up evaluation, BMI and total EE were unchanged. However, daytime EE increased (1066 ± 131.5 vs 1104 ± 133 Kcal/die, p < 0.001, respectively) and night EE decreased (694 ± 69 vs 595 ± 73, p < 0.0001, respectively). Statistically significant changes in BMI, sleepiness scale, blood gases and EE were found only in patients who were compliant to CPAP., Conclusions: Obese OSA patients showed an increased night EE that was normalized only in those patients compliant to CPAP. Body weight and daily physical activity did not change in statistically significant way., (Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)