Clinical and polygraphic evolution of sleep-related breathing disorders in adolescents.

It has been suggested that sleep-related breathing disorders (SRBD) involve a continuum that develops over the course of life. If modifiable factors could be identified, the progression of SRBD could perhaps be addressed early in life. Although some studies have looked at the evolution of SRBD in pre-pubertal children, very few studies obtained data in adolescents. Anthropometric, clinical and polygraphic variables were collected during a 4-yr follow-up study among 148 normal adolescents after initial cross-sectional analysis. From a total of 267 adolescents studied at baseline (mean+/-sd age 14.3+/-2.1 yrs), 148 (55.4%) were followed up for 4 yrs. During follow-up, there were no significant changes in snoring and polygraphic parameters. However, a tendency toward weight gain with centrally distributed fat was observed. Habitual snorers had a significantly higher body mass index and more centrally distributed fat than nonsnorers. Males had a higher snoring prevalence and a higher number of respiratory events than females. Snoring at baseline, male sex and poor academic performance were significant predictors of snoring at follow-up. Snoring tends to persist during adolescence and male sex acts as a risk factor. A relationship between snoring and academic performance was observed. These findings may have implications for long-term management of sleep-related breathing disorders.

Home respiratory polygraphy for diagnosis of sleep-disordered breathing in heart failure.

The present study assessed the usefulness of home cardiorespiratory polygraphy as an alternative to overnight polysomnography for the diagnosis of sleep-disordered breathing in heart failure. A total of 75 patients with chronic stable heart failure due to systolic dysfunction (left ventricular ejection fraction < or =45%) underwent polysomnography at the Virgen del Rocio Hospital and cardiorespiratory polygraphy at home. The two studies were performed in random order and within 30 days. The accuracy of polygraphical findings was determined by sensitivity and specificity obtained by area under the receiver operating characteristics (ROC) curves for apnoea-hypopnoea index (AHI) thresholds of > or =5, > or =10 and > or =15 in the polysomnography. The area under the ROC curve for AHI > or =5, > or =10 and > or =15 was 0.896, 0.907 and 0.862, respectively. The diagnostic accuracy of polygraphy compared with polysomnography ranged 78.6-84%, with sensitivities of 68.4-82.5%, and specificities of 88.6-97.8% for the different AHI thresholds. Altogether, 29 patients had an AHI > or =10 (central pattern 24, obstructive pattern 5). Sensitivity and specificity of home polygraphy for identifying the sleep-disordered breathing pattern was 100%. These data show that home cardiorespiratory polygraphy has a high sensitivity and specificity for the diagnosis of sleep-disordered breathing associated with heart failure.

[Assessment of excessive day-time sleepiness in professional drivers with suspected obstructive sleep apnea syndrome]. / Evaluación de la somnolencia diurna excesiva en conductores profesionales con sospecha de síndrome de apnea obstructiva durante el sueño.

Excessive daytime sleepiness is a common symptom of obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS) and can be a cause of traffic accidents, creating a problem of particular importance for professional drivers given the associated death, disability and professional repercussions. We assessed whether the Epworth sleepiness scale (ESS), which is a subjective measure of daytime sleepiness, correlates well with multiple sleep latency (MSL) testing, which gives an objective measure of daytime sleepiness. We also compared each method with the results of polysomnography (apnea-hypopnea index, arousal index and minimum oxygen saturation). We studied 55 professional drivers suspected of OSAS. All answered the ESS questionnaire and underwent polysomnographic and MSL testing. We found a significant, though not relevant, correlation between the degree of excessive daytime sleepiness estimated by the ESS and by MSL testing (r = -0.41; p = 0.002). A significant, though weak, correlation was found between the ESS score and the arousal index (r = 0.26; p < 0.05). Our results do not clarify which method is best for measuring excessive daytime sleepiness in professional drivers suspected of OSAS.

Evaluación de la somnolencia diurna excesiva en conductores profesionales con sospecha de síndrome de apnea obstructiva durante el sueño / Assessment of excessive daytime sleepiness in professional drivers suspected of obstructive sleep apnea syndrome

La somnolencia diurna excesiva es un síntoma frecuente en el síndrome de apnea obstructiva durante el sueño, y puede ser causante de accidentes de tráfico. Este aspecto tiene especial importancia en los conductores profesionales, por la morbimortalidad y repercusión laboral que puede suponer. Hemos evaluado si la escala de somnolencia de Epworth (ESE) (medida subjetiva de la somnolencia diurna) se correlaciona bien con el test de latencia múltiple del sueño (TLMS) (medida objetiva de la somnolencia diurna). Además, hemos comparado ambos métodos con algunos parámetros de la polisomnografía (PLSG) (índice de apnea-hipopnea, índice de arousals y saturación de oxígeno mínima). Hemos estudiado a 55 conductores profesionales con sospecha de síndrome de apnea obstructiva durante el sueño. A todos se les aplicó la ESE y se les realizó una PLSG y un TLMS. Encontramos una correlación significativa, aunque no relevante, entre el grado de somnolencia diurna excesiva estimada mediante la ESE y la medida por el TLMS (r = -0,41; p = 0,002). Al comparar ambos métodos con la PLSG, tan sólo encontramos una correlación significativa, aunque muy débil, entre la ESE y el índice de arousals (r = 0,26; p < 0,05). Según nuestros resultados, no está claro cuál es el mejor método para medir la somnolencia diurna excesiva en conductores profesionales con sospecha de síndrome de apnea obstructiva durante el sueño (AU)

[Association of obstructive apnea syndrome during sleep and narcolepsy]. / Asociación del síndrome de apnea obstructiva durante el sueño y la narcolepsia.

Obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS) is highly prevalent. Daytime hypersomnolence (DHS) is among its symptoms, although other diseases, such as narcolepsy, can also give rise to DHS. We describe three men diagnosed of OSAS whose DHS persisted even after snoring disappeared following treatment with continuous positive airway pressure. We suspected associated narcolepsy, which was confirmed by multiple sleep latency testing. Narcolepsy, therefore, should be considered when DHS persists even after appropriate treatment of OSAS.

[Effectiveness of continuous positive airway pressure in the long-term treatment of the obstructive sleep apnea syndrome]. / Eficacia de la presión positiva continua en la vía aérea en el tratamiento a largo plazo del síndrome de apnea obstructiva del sueño.

Eight patients with obstructive sleep apnea syndrome were treated with continuous positive airways pressure by nasal route. The treatment was carried out in the hospital during the initial days. If the procedure was effective and the tolerance was good, the patients were discharged to continue with treatment at home. Polygraphic sleep recordings carried out 2-4 months after the beginning of therapy showed normalization of the structure and the phases of sleep, apnea and desaturation being virtually absent. After a mean follow up of 18 months the patients are asymptomatic. The treatment has been well tolerated and significant side effects have not developed.