Evaluation of obstructive sleep apnea in non-cystic fibrosis bronchiectasis: A cross-sectional study.

The relationship between sleep disorders and bronchiectasis has not been well described. We hypothesize that, due to the irreversible dilatation of the bronchi, the presence of secretions, and airflow obstruction, patients with non-cystic fibrosis bronchiectasis may be predisposed to hypoxemia during sleep, or to symptoms that may lead to arousal. A cross-sectional observational study was performed involving 49 patients with a clinical diagnosis of non-cystic fibrosis bronchiectasis (NCFB). All patients underwent clinical evaluation, spirometry, and polysomnography, and were evaluated for the presence of excessive daytime sleepiness (EDS) and risk of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). The mean age of the participants was 50.3 ± 13.6 years; 51.1% of patients were male and had a mean body mass index of 23.8 ± 3.4 kg/m2. The mean total sleep time (TST) was 325.15 ± 64.22 min with a slight reduction in sleep efficiency (84.01 ± 29.2%). Regarding sleep stages, stage 1 sleep and REM sleep were abnormal. OSA was present in 40.82% of the patients. The mean arousal index was 5.6 ± 2.9/h and snoring was observed in 71.43% of the patients. The oxygen desaturation index (ODI) was 14.35 ± 15.36/h, mean minimum oxygen saturation (SpO2 nadir) was 83.29 ± 7.99%, and mean TST with an SpO2 less than 90% was 30.21 ± 60.48 min. EDS was exhibited by 53.06% of the patients and 55.1% were at high risk of developing OSA. The patients infected by Pseudomonas aeruginosa had higher apnea-hypopnea indices, ODI, and TST with SpO2 < 90%, and lower values of SpO2 nadir. Adult patients with clinically stable NCFB, especially those infected by Pseudomonas aeruginosa, display EDS and a high prevalence of OSA, associated with considerable oxygen desaturation during sleep.

A systematic review of sleep disorders in patients with chronic kidney disease undergoing hemodialysis.

The purpose of this study was to conduct a systematic review of the available evidence on sleep disorders in patients with end stage renal disease (ESRD) undergoing hemodialysis (HD). [Subjects and Methods] Two independent reviewers performed a computer-assisted search of the MEDLINE, SciELO, LILACS, and BIREME Virtual Health Library medical databases from their inception to November 2015. [Results] One thousand one hundred twenty-six articles were found that met the inclusion criteria. Articles were excluded if they were not in English, the patients did not undergo HD, or the studies were not cross-sectional or clinical trials. After reading the full text, a further 300 studies were excluded because they did not use polysomnography. The remaining 18 studies with ESRD patients undergoing HD comprised 8 clinical trials and 10 cross-sectional studies. This systematic review followed the criteria outlined by the PRISMA declaration. [Conclusion] In this systematic review, a high prevalence of sleep disorders was observed in ESRD, including sleep-disordered breathing. This knowledge may enable health professionals to devise new strategies for the diagnosis and treatment of these patients, in order to reduce morbidity and mortality and improve their quality of life.

Effect of a rapid maxillary expansion on snoring and sleep in children: a pilot study.

AIM: The aim of this study was to assess the efficacy of the McNamara rapid palatal expansion device for the treatment of sleep disorders in children. METHODS: The sample enrolled 12 children aged 4-11 years. Children with snoring and bruxism whose parents did not agree to tonsil surgery were included in the study. During the initial evaluation, a questionnaire addressing sleep was administered, and plaster models were made for the construction of the McNamara rapid maxillary expansion device. The expansion period was 7-15 days, and the McNamara device was removed after 6-8 months. The same questionnaire was administered again after 30 days of use of the orthopedic appliance. The data were analyzed using the McNemar test, with the level of significance set to 5% (P<0.05). RESULTS: Significant improvements were found in tiredness upon waking (P=0.002), mood (P=0.008), lip seal (P=0.031), drooling during sleep (P=0.031), snoring (P=0.001), and bruxism (P=0.0062). CONCLUSION: The use of non-invasive methods, such as rapid maxillary expansion, can be an effective treatment for snoring and other undesirable sleep behaviors in children.

Effect of an occlusal splint on sleep bruxism in children in a pilot study with a short-term follow up.

The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effect of the use of an occlusal splint in children with bruxism in a pilot study with a short-term follow up. Seventeen children were recruited, only nine of whom formed the sample following the application of the inclusion criteria: presence of sleep bruxism for at least six months (based on parents' reports); presence of at least the first permanent molars; and no previous history of treatment involving an occlusal splint. The sample was submitted to a clinical exam. Other sleep problems were screened with the use of a sleep questionnaire filled out by parents before and after 90 days of occlusal splint usage. The children received a flat acrylic resin splint with full coverage of the occlusal surfaces to be worn in the maxilla. In children with erupting teeth, a space was created in the splint to allow normal eruption. After the 90-day period, the absence of sleep bruxism and sleep movements was noted in most of children. Moreover, snoring was reduced in nearly 50%, which raises a new issue to be investigated with regard to the pathophysiology of sleep bruxism. The use of an occlusal splint was effective in reducing the symptoms of sleep bruxism and other sleep problems. Further investigations should be carried out on the relationship between snoring and sleep bruxism in children.

Clinical significance in COPD patients followed in a real practice.

BACKGROUND: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is an important public health issue in many countries which is estimated to become the fifth cause of disability and the third cause of mortality in the world within 2020.The objective of this study was to identify the clinical characteristics in the real clinical practice of a sample of patients with COPD followed in a pulmonology clinic. METHODS: The initial sample contained 207 subjects with respiratory claims that searched for specialized treatment and initiated regular monitoring between 2004 and 2009 in a private clinic localized in Cascavel, in the state of Parana, Brazil. Demographic data (weight, height, body mass index - BMI), history of comorbidities, use of respiratory and non respiratory drugs were also registered. RESULTS: The main cause related to the development of COPD was current or prior smoking (92.0%); the most frequently reported symptom was dyspnea (95.0%), followed by cough (86.1%), wheezing (69.4%) and sputum production (40.0%). During the follow up, 51 patients developed the need for oxygen therapy (28.3%). In 96 patients, there were periods of acute exacerbation, resulting in 37 hospitalizations. In addition to COPD, a significant number of comorbidities were identified, being cardiovascular disease and neurological disorders the most prevalent ones. CONCLUSIONS: Based on the data collected, we could outline the profile of patients with COPD, showing characteristics of an elderly population, with multiple comorbidities, suggesting a health related quality of life lower than expected.