Effect of virtual reality-based exercise intervention on sleep quality in children with acute lymphoblastic leukemia and healthy siblings: A randomized controlled trial.

OBJECTIVE: Sleep is one of the important measurements of the quality of life for children especially suffering from a chronic illness such as cancer. Our aim was to determine the changes in sleep quality and to investigate the effect of virtual reality-based exercise (VRBE) approaches on sleep in patients with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) off treatment. METHOD: The participants (ALL and healthy siblings) were evaluated for sleep quality with polysomnography and "Children's Sleep Habit Questionnaire" before and after 12 weeks. The study randomized into two groups: an exercise group who received VRBE in two days in a week, 45 min of each session for 12 weeks and an control group who were managed with supportive measures. The VRBE comprised of aerobic exercise in four different games by Nintendo Wii Fit Plus®. RESULTS: This randomized controlled trial was carried out on 38 participants. Before intervention, ALL patients (n = 24) and healthy siblings (n = 14) had similar sleep quality in terms of polysomnography and Children's Sleep Habit Questionnaire findings. After intervention, total time asleep (p = 0.023), respiratory disturbance index of hypopnea (p = 0.005), apnea/hypopnea index (p = 0.008), and number of apnea (p = 0.028) statistically significant improved. SIGNIFICANCE OF RESULTS: Patients with ALL off treatment had similar values of sleep quality with healthy siblings. Novel types of exercises like VRBE have positive effects on sleep disorders in children with ALL and also healthy siblings. Future studies are needed comparing the different types of interventions.

Association between burnout, anxiety and insomnia in healthcare workers: a cross-sectional study.

All healthcare workers (HCWs) encounter stress during in their working lives, and are constantly exposed to adverse conditions. The present study evaluates the relationship between burnout syndrome, anxiety levels and insomnia severity among healthcare workers, who mostly work in shifts. The Maslach Burnout Inventory, the Insomnia Severity Index and the Beck Anxiety Inventory were used to measure burnout, insomnia severity and anxiety status, respectively. This cross sectional study included a total of 1,011 HCWs and 679 (67.2%) of the study respondents were women. The respondents were aged 20-72, with a mean age of 35.67 ± 8.61 years. Fifty-eight percent (n = 589) of the participants were rotating shift workers. Working on-call led to a significant difference in all burnout parameters (for each, <0.001). Age and on-call duty were seen to lead to a significant difference in the severity of insomnia (p = 0.028, p < 0.001, respectively). The total ISI score was found to be statistically significant positively correlated with the MBI subscales and the total BAI score (for each, <0.001). An increased awareness of the impact of sleep deprivation, burnout and anxiety among HCWs and meaningful interventions promoting change within the healthcare system are needed.

Postural stability and fall risk in patients with obstructive sleep apnea: a cross-sectional study.

PURPOSE: Nocturnal hypoxia and daytime sleepiness resulting from fragmented sleep may impair the ability of postural stability in subjects with OSA. This study investigates the effect of disease severity on postural stability and whether or not it poses a fall risk in individuals with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). METHODS: Forty-nine patients with OSA diagnosed by all-night polysomnography (apnea-hypopnea index (AHI) ≥ 5) and aged 51.4 ± 7.2 years were included in the study. The patients were divided into two groups as severe OSA (AHI ≥ 30, n = 24) and non-severe OSA (5 ≤ AHI ≤ 30, n = 25). All patients were subjected to testing for postural stability (PS), limits of stability (LOST), and the stability index for fall risk (fall risk SI) with the Biodex Balance System®. Daytime sleepiness was assessed using the Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS). Biodex measurements and daytime sleepiness were compared between severe and non-severe OSA groups. Univariate analysis was conducted to explore if AHI, ESS score, lowest SaO2 (%), sleep stages (%), or total arousal index predict postural stability scores. RESULTS: Overall and anterior-posterior PS indices were higher in the severe OSA group (p < 0.05). Dynamic PS and fall risk indices did not differ between groups. AHI and lowest SaO2 (%) were found to be an independent predictor for both overall PS (r = 0.300 and r = 0.286, respectively) and fall risk SI (r = 0.296 and r = 0.374, respectively), whereas stage N1 (%) and stage N3 (%) were an independent predictor for overall LOST score (r = -0.328 and r = 0.298, respectively) (p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Static postural stability of individuals with severe OSA is worse than those with non-severe OSA. Static postural stability worsens, and fall risk increases as AHI increases and the lowest SaO2 decreases in individuals with OSA. On the other hand, dynamic postural stability worsens as stage N1 (%) sleep increases and stage N3 (%) sleep decreases. While nocturnal hypoxia indicators such as AHI and lowest SaO2 are associated with static postural stability, sleep structure-related variables are associated with dynamic stability. Including postural stability assessments in the clinical practice for OSA may help addressing workplace accidents or tendency to fall. TRIAL REGISTRATION: www.ClinicalTrials.gov registration number: NCT03589417.

The Effect of T'ai Chi and Qigong Training on Patients with Obstructive Sleep Apnea: A Randomized Controlled Study.

OBJECTIVES: This study aims to investigate the effects of t'ai chi and qigong (TCQ) training on severity of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). DESIGN: A prospective, 12-week, single-center, double-blinded, randomized controlled trial. SETTING: Sleep Disorders Center of Medical Faculty in Istanbul, Turkey. SUBJECTS: Fifty adult patients with mild and moderate OSA. INTERVENTIONS: Patients were randomly allocated into either an intervention group or a control group. The intervention group (n = 25) received TCQ training under physiotherapist supervision for 1 h, three times per week, for 12 weeks and a home exercise program was provided for another 2 days. The control group (n = 25) received only a home exercise program for 12 weeks, 5 days per week. OUTCOME MEASURES: All patients were assessed before and after the exercise program. Objective parameters of sleep were measured by polysomnography, while subjective parameters of sleep were assessed using the Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS) and the 3-factor Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI). Pulmonary functions were assessed with a pulmonary function test; health-related quality of life was evaluated through the Short Form-36. RESULTS: In the intervention group, there was a statistically significant decrease in the apnea-hypopnea index (AHI) (p = 0.001) and percentage and duration of stage N2 sleep (p = 0.041 and p = 0.037, respectively), while there was a statistically significant increase in percentage and duration of stage N3 sleep when compared with the controls (p = 0.048 and p = 0.043, respectively). There was a statistically significant decrease in the ESS, PSQI sleep efficiency, and total scores (p = 0.001, p = 0.003, and p = 0.003, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: Our study results suggest that TCQ training may reduce AHI and daytime sleepiness, while improving subjective sleep quality, in patients with mild and moderate OSA.

Variables determining the development of colistin-associated renal impairment.

AIM: The aim of this study was to identify the predictors of acute renal injury associated with colistin treatment. METHODS: The patients who received treatment with colistin for more than 3 days were included in this retrospective cohort study. Acute renal injury was defined by the RIFLE (Risk Injury Failure Loss End stage renal disease) criteria. Patients whose serum creatinine levels increased at least 1.5-fold compared with baseline value were considered as cases with renal injury. The independent variables determining the development of acute renal injury were investigated by survival analysis. RESULTS: A total of 112 cases [67 (59.8 %) were male, median age 64 (range: 18-93) years] were included in the study. Acute renal injury occurred in 66 (58.9 %) patients. Renal injury developed in first 7 days of the colistin therapy in 52 (78.8 %) cases and at day 8-23 in 14 (21.2 %) cases. On the day with highest levels of creatinine, 25 (22.3 %), 17 (15.2 %), and 33 (29.5 %) cases were in 'Risk', 'Injury', and 'Failure' group, respectively, according to RIFLE criteria. We identified three independent risk factors predicting acute colistin-induced renal injury: advanced age, low serum albumin levels, and high serum total bilirubin levels [odds ratio (confidence interval) = 1.022 (1.006-1.037), 0.643 (0.415-0.994), and 1.129 (1.014-1.257), respectively]. CONCLUSIONS: The advanced age, low serum albumin levels, and high serum total bilirubin levels are independent risk factors for colistin-induced nephrotoxicity.

Vaspin and lipocalin-2 levels in severe obsructive sleep apnea.

BACKGROUND: Vaspin and lipocalin-2 are less-known recent members of adipocytokine family. There are ongoing studies investigating the role of vaspin ve lipocalin-2 in metabolic syndrome (MS). Obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS) is independently associated with an increased prevalence of MS. We aimed to measure the levels of vaspin and lipocalin-2 which are secreted from adipocytes in patients with severe OSAS and examine the relationship between these two adipocytokines and OSAS. METHODS: THE STUDY CONSISTED OF TWO GROUPS: severe OSAS patients with an apnea-hypopnea index (AHI) of >30/h (OSAS group, 34 subjects) and age-matched healthy volunteers with a AHI <5/h (control group, 25 subjects) Serum levels of vaspin and lipocalin-2 in these two groups were compared. RESULTS: Serum levels of vaspin were significantly lower in OSAS group; patients with severe OSAS compared with control group; healthy volunteers (OSAS group: 0.69±0.5 vs. control group: 1.24±1.13; P=0.034). The difference between the two groups in terms of serum levels of lipocalin-2 has not reached statistical significance (OSAS group: 61.6±18.2 vs. control group: 68.5±20.1; P=0.17). CONCLUSIONS: We found that serum vaspin levels were significantly lower in patients with severe OSAS compared with healthy controls. Lipocalin-2 levels were similar. The decrease in serum vaspin levels in severe OSAS patients may be important in diagnosis and follow-up of these patients.

The effect of obesity on brain diffusion alteration in patients with obstructive sleep apnea.

PURPOSE: We investigated diffusion alterations in specific regions of the brain in morbid obese, obese, and nonobese OSA patients and searched whether there is a correlation between BMI and ADC values. MATERIALS AND METHODS: DWIs of 65 patients with OSA were evaluated. The patients were classified according to BMI as morbid obese (n = 16), obese (n = 27), and nonobese (control, n = 22) groups. ADC measurements were performed from 24 different regions of the brain in each patient. The relationship of BMI with ADC values was searched. RESULTS: The ADC values in hypothalamus, insular cortex, parietal cortex, caudate nucleus, frontal white matter, and posterior limb of internal capsule were all increased in obese patients (n = 43) compared to control group. The ADC values of midbrain, hypothalamus, orbitofrontal cortex, and parietal cortex were significantly increased in morbid obese compared to obese patients. In obese patients, the degree of BMI was positively correlated with ADC values of orbitofrontal cortex, parietal cortex, and hypothalamus. CONCLUSION: We observed increasing brain vasogenic edema with increasing BMI, suggesting that the main reason of brain diffusion alteration in patients with OSA could be obesity related.

Serum biomarkers in patients with mesothelioma and pleural plaques and healthy subjects exposed to naturally occurring asbestos.

PURPOSE: This study investigated the diagnostic accuracy of the serum biomarkers osteopontin and mesothelin in discriminating mesothelioma patients from those with other, benign conditions and whether levels of the biomarkers differed in subjects who had inhaled naturally occurring asbestos compared with a non-exposed control group. METHODS: This cross-sectional study studied 24 subjects with mesothelioma, 279 subjects with pleural plaques, 123 "healthy exposed," and 120 control subjects. The Kruskal-Wallis test was performed to compare mesothelin and osteopontin levels of the groups, and receiver operating characteristics curves were generated to determine diagnostic yields of both biomarkers. Multiple linear regression analyses were used to identify associated covariates with osteopontin and mesothelin levels. RESULTS: Serum osteopontin and mesothelin levels were higher in mesothelioma than in benign asbestos-related diseases and healthy exposed subjects. Both biomarker levels were independently associated with mesothelioma, age and smoking pack years. Mesothelin levels were also associated with body mass index. The sensitivity and specificity of osteopontin in distinguishing mesothelioma from the three other groups were 75 and 86 %, respectively; those of mesothelin were 58 and 83 %, respectively. The sensitivity and specificity to discriminate mesothelioma from pleural plaques and healthy subjects were 93 and 73 %, respectively, if osteopontin and mesothelin levels were higher than their optimal cut off levels. CONCLUSIONS: The combination of serum osteopontin and mesothelin levels can help to distinguish mesothelioma from benign asbestos-related diseases and asbestos-exposed subjects.

COPD: an underdiagnosed disease at hospital environment.

BACKGROUND AND AIM: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a serious disease with morbidity and mortality due to delayed diagnosis until significant symptoms arise. We aimed to assess the utility of spirometry and COPD Assessment Test (CAT) in detecting undiagnosed COPD patients in a localized area. MATERIAL AND METHODS: People who came to the hospital for patient visit or examination with a smoking history of > 10 pack-years (> 40 years old), and with no known chest disease were invited to study. The participants completed a questionnaire and performed spirometry. Spirometry was performed according to ATS/ERS Task Force on spirometry. COPD was defined as according to the Global Initiative for Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease guidelines. RESULTS: There were 800 subjects screened, and 648, capable of performing spirometry, were included to the study. The mean age was 48.3 ± 9.0 and 38 % of the study population was male. Post-bronchodilator FEV1/FVC ratio was lower than 0.70 in 17 % of the subjects. Median (25-75 percentiles) total CAT scores and among the questions of CAT; cough, phlegm, chest tightness and breathlessness scores for COPD and non-COPD subjects were; 15(9-22) vs 12(6-18) (p = .004), 2(1-3) vs 1(0-2) (p < .001), 2(0-3) vs 1(0-3) (p = .004), 3(1-4) vs 2(0-3) (p > .001), 4(3-5) vs 3(2-4) (p = .001), respectively. Symptom prevalence was as follows: exertional dyspnea 91 %, dyspnea 80.9 %, cough 56.3 % and phlegm 58.3 % in COPD. CONCLUSION: Our study showed that spirometric screening together with the CAT questionnaire may improve the awareness of disease and may determine undiagnosed patients.

Does hormonal control obviate positive airway pressure therapy in acromegaly with sleep-disordered breathing?

INTRODUCTION: Acromegaly is a disease in which uncontrolled release of growth hormone occurs after closure of epiphyseal plates, causing changes in the body that can lead to sleep disordered breathing (SDB). No definite guidelines regarding the treatment of SDB in acromegaly are available. In this study, we aimed to investigate the prevalence of SDB in acromegaly and whether hormonal control alters the necessity of positive airway pressure (PAP) therapy in acromegaly patients with SDB. METHODS: Forty-two acromegaly patients were included in the study and divided into two groups according to disease status, i.e., active or well controlled. All patients underwent polysomnography. Fourteen patients with active acromegaly were diagnosed with SDB and were evaluated for PAP therapy with polysomnography both before and 6 months after disease control was achieved. RESULTS: Sleep-disorder breathing was diagnosed in 22 of 42 patients, 7 of 20 patients with controlled-disease and 15 of 20 patients with active diseases. There were significant reductions in respiratory disturbance index (RDI), apnea index, desaturation index, central apnea number, and rapid eye movement-phase RDI at the control polysomnography. Initially, PAP therapy was indicated in 12 of 14 patients and PAP therapy indication held in 11 patients after acromegaly control was achieved. CONCLUSION: Our study revealed that over half of patients with acromegaly had SDB. Furthermore, SDB severity decreases with acromegaly treatment; however, this decrease does not change the indication for PAP therapy; therefore, PAP therapy should not be delayed in acromegalic SDB patients.

MR spectroscopy features of brain in patients with mild and severe obstructive sleep apnea syndrome.

PURPOSE: We investigated whether there are differences in metabolite ratios of different brain regions between mild and severe obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) patients. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 17 mild OSA and 14 severe OSA patients were enrolled. N-acetyl aspartate (NAA)/creatine (Cr), choline (Cho)/Cr and NAA/Cho ratios were calculated by using multivoxel magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS) (TR: 1500, TE: 135 ms) from hippocampus, putamen, insular cortex, thalamus and temporal white matter. The relationship between the two groups was evaluated with Mann-Whitney U test. RESULTS: NAA/Cr ratios obtained from hippocampus was found to be significantly increased in severe OSA patients compared to mild OSA patients (P=.004). Cho/Cr ratios obtained from hippocampus and putamen in severe OSA patients were significantly increased when compared to mild OSA patients (P=.003 and P=.004, respectively). In addition, NAA/Cho ratios of putamen were significantly decreased in severe OSA patients when compared to mild OSA (P=.032). CONCLUSION: MRS identified hypoxia-related metabolite and microstructural changes in hippocampus and putamen. The metabolite changes of increase in NAA/Cr and Cho/Cr ratios and decrease in NAA/Cho ratio were more pronounced with increasing severity of OSA syndrome.

[Relationship between symptoms of obstructive sleep apnea syndrome and traffic accidents in the city drivers]. / Sehir içi araç kullanan soförlerde obstrüktif uyku apne sendromu semptomlari ve trafik kazasi iliskisi.

INTRODUCTION: There is a high tendency for traffic accidents in patients with obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS). Thus it's recommended to investigate OSAS symptoms before certification of professional drivers. However, to what degree OSAS symptoms predict traffic accidents is not clear. We aimed to investigate the relationship between OSAS symptoms and traffic accidents. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Five hundred twenty bus drivers working at Istanbul Electricity, Tramway and Tunnel (IETT) general management were randomly selected. Berlin questionnaire was applied which included demographic data, accident ratios, total duration in profession, duration of working in a day and OSAS symptoms. Epworth sleepiness score (ESS) test was applied to assess day time slepiness. RESULTS: All drivers were male. Snoring were present in 324 (65.7%) of participants. Traffic accident history were present in 259 (49.7%) of drivers. Significant relationship was present between traffic accident and only daytime sleepiness among the OSAS symptoms. The mean of accident/year ratio of all participants were 0.092. Mean of ESS was 7.3 ± 3.2 for all participants. There is a positive correlation between ESS and accident/year ratio (r= 0.57, p= 0.012). CONCLUSION: Only daytime sleepiness among OSAS symptoms is related with traffic accident. The questioning of OSAS symptoms alone is inadequate to estimate traffic accident risk. Thus further consideration more than symptom questioning is needed at phase of authorization of professional drivers to detect OSAS.

[The frequency and properties of REM related obstructive sleep apnea among the patients with mild related obstructive sleep apnea]. / Hafif obstrüktif uyku apneli hastalarda REM ile iliskili obstrüktif uyku apne sikligi ve özellikleri.

INTRODUCTION: The question if REM related obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is a specific clinical entity or if it is an early sign of severe sleep disordered breathing as there is high occurrence of REM OSA in mild and moderate cases, recently have attracted the investigators. In this study, we aimed to see the frequency of REM related OSA among patients with mild OSA; and also to evaluate relation between apnea and daytime sleepiness among REM related OSA patients. MATERIALS AND METHODS: One hundred thirty four patients with mild OSA [Apnea hipopnea index (AHI)= 5-15] among 1267 patients with polysomnography examination at sleep laboratory of Bezmialem University Hospital between 1st August 2010 and 29th February 2012 were retrospectively evaluated. Patients having REM AHI/non-REM AHI ≥ 2 and non-REM AHI < 15 are considered as REM related OSA. RESULTS: Eighty (59%) of 134 patients with mild OSA were considered as REM related OSA. When REM related OSA and non REM OSA are compared for age, gender, daytime sleepiness, body mass index, neck surround and aditional diseases; mean age of REM related OSA group was found only significantly lower. Number of AHI in REM was over 15 at 87.3% of REM related OSA group and over 30 at 39.3% of them. There was no relation between REM AHI and daytime sleepiness symptom (p= 0.81). CONCLUSION: We may consider the result of lower mean age in REM related OSA group as a supporting result for early sign of severe sleep disordered breathing. We consider to follow up this group of patients to answer the question about subject.

The effect of sleep apnea syndrome on the development of diabetic nephropathy in patients with type 2 diabetes.

AIMS: Type 2 diabetes mellitus and obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS) are serious comorbidities. Effects of OSAS on diabetic microvascular complications are ongoing research subjects. We evaluated the incidence of OSAS in Type 2 diabetes mellitus patients with nephropathy and with no renal involvement. METHODS: A total of 52 people with diabetes were enrolled in this study. Patients body mass indices were calculated and fasting glucose, glycosylated hemoglobin, urea, creatinine, total lipid profile, and urinary albumin excretion were evaluated. Full polysomnography was used to detect sleep disorders. RESULTS: Baseline characteristics and laboratory results of the patients were similar. Meeting criteria for OSAS was detected in 35 of the 54 patients (67.3%). 25 patients (48%) had mild, six patients (11.5%) had moderate, and four patients (7.7%) had severe sleep disorders. There was no significant relationship between respiratory obstructive parameters and microalbuminuria (R=0.91, p=0.362). Substantial correlation was detected between lower values of serum triglyceride levels and lower respiratory indices (R=0.299, p=0.031). CONCLUSIONS: In type 2 diabetes accompanying OSAS affects glucose regulation but its effect on nephropathy development is currently a subject of research.

Absolute blood eosinophil count and 1-year mortality risk following hospitalization with acute heart failure.

OBJECTIVE: In acute heart failure (AHF), hemoglobin, red cell distribution width, mean platelet volume, leukocytes, and relative lymphocyte count have been associated with mortality. It is not known whether absolute blood neutrophil, eosinophil, and monocyte counts are mortality predictors. METHODS: One hundred and seventy-six patients hospitalized due to AHF were enrolled. Treatment modalities and comorbidities influencing leukocyte counts were excluded. Hemogram, pro-brain natriuretic peptide, D-dimer, biochemistry, thyroid hormones, sensitive C-reactive protein, and echocardiography were obtained. Cardiovascular deaths during the first year after hospitalization were determined. RESULTS: Leukocyte and absolute neutrophil count were significantly higher and absolute lymphocyte count and absolute eosinophil count (AEC) were significantly lower in deceased patients than patients who survived. Groups were similar in terms of monocyte counts. BMI albumin, estimated glomerular filtration rate, free T3, ejection fraction were significantly lower, and ferritin, uric acid, D-dimer, pro-brain natriuretic peptide were significantly higher in deceased patients. Mitral regurgitation, hypotension, hyponatremia, and acute renal failure were also significantly more frequent among the deceased group. Binary logistic regression analysis employing significant variables showed that lower BMI, lower ejection fraction, hyponatremia, lower free T3, and lower AEC were independent predictors of death and as a whole were responsible from 81.8% of cardiovascular deaths. Death rate among patients with an AEC of 0.02 n/l×10 or less was 4.4-fold higher than patients with an AEC of more than 0.02 n/l×10. CONCLUSION: AEC of AHF patients measured at admission was found to be a stronger predictor of mortality than all other hemogram parameters and this is consistent with the increased sympatho-adrenal activity theory.