Comparative Study between Sequential Automatic and Manual Home Respiratory Polygraphy Scoring Using a Three-Channel Device: Impact of the Manual Editing of Events to Identify Severe Obstructive Sleep Apnea

Objective. According to current guidelines, autoscoring of respiratory events in respiratory polygraphy requires manual scoring. The aim of this study was to evaluate the agreement between automatic analysis and manual scoring to identify patients with suspected OSA. Methods. This retrospective study analyzed 791 records from respiratory polygraphy (RP) performed at home. The association grade between automatic scoring and manual scoring was evaluated using Kappa coefficient and the agreement using Bland and Altman test and intraclass correlation coefficient (CCI). To determine the accuracy in the identification of AHI ≥ 30 eV/h, the ROC curve analysis was used. Results. The population analyzed consisted of 493 male (62.3%) and 298 female patients, with an average age of 54.7 ± 14.20 years and BMI of 32.7 ± 8.21 kg/m 2 . There was no significant difference between automatic and manual apnea/hypopnea indexes (aAHI, mAHI): aAHI 17.25 (SD: 17.42) versus mAHI 21.20 ± 7.96 (p; NS). The agreement between mAHI and aAHI to AHI ≥ 30 was 94%, with a Kappa coefficient of 0.83 ( < 0.001) and a CCI of 0.83. The AUC-ROC, sensitivity, and specificity were 0.99 (CI 95%: 0.98-0.99, < 0.001), 86% (CI 95%: 78.7-91.4), and 97% (CI 95%: 96-98.3), respectively. Conclusions. We observed good agreement between automatic scoring and sequential manual scoring to identify subjects with AHI ≥ 30 eV/h

International Consensus Document on Obstructive Sleep Apnea

El objetivo principal de este documento internacional de consenso sobre apnea obstructiva del sueno es proporcionar unas directrices que permitan a los profesionales sanitarios tomar las mejores decisiones en la asistencia de los pacientes adultos con esta enfermedad según un resumen crítico de la literatura más actualizada. El grupo de trabajo de expertos se ha constituido principalmente por 17 sociedades científicas y 56 especialistas con amplia representación geográfica (con la participación de 4 sociedades internacionales), además de un metodólogo experto y un documentalista del Centro Cochrane Iberoamer icano. El documento consta de un manuscrito principal, con las novedades más relevantes del DIC, y una serie de manuscritos online que recogen las búsquedas bibliográficas sistemáticas de cada uno de los apartados del DIC. Este documento no cubre la edad pediátrica ni el manejo del paciente en ventilación mecánica crónica no invasiva (que se publicarán en sendos documentos de consenso aparte)

Apnea-hypopnea index in sleep studies and the risk of over-simplification

According to recent reports, sleep disorders affect 30% of the adult population and 5-10% of children. Obstructive Sleep Apnea Hypopnea Syndrome (OSA) has a considerable epidemiological impact and demand for consultation is growing in our community. Therefore, it is necessary to know the principles of interpretation of diagnostic methods. A suspicion of OSA requires confirmation. According to the guidelines of the Argentine Association of Respiratory Medicine, polysomnography (PSG) is the gold standard for OSA diagnosis, while home sleep testing (HST) can be accepted as a comparatively effective method depending on the clinical situation of the patient. This article questions the use of AHI (apnea-hypopnea index) as the only measurement needed to diagnose OSA and assess its severity. In fact, it is surprising that, despite the large mass of data analyzed during sleep studies, current practices only focus on AHI. More than four decades have passed since OSA was first described. Our tendency to oversimplify complex conditions may prevent us from gaining a deeper and more thorough understanding of OSA. The development and validation of OSA severity scoring systems based on multiple parameters is still a pending issue

Impact of Mask Type on the Effectiveness of and Adherence to Unattended Home-Based CPAP Titration

Objectives. To compare interfaces performance during home-based automatic titration (APAP). Methods. Retrospective study based on APAP titration from Obstructive Sleep Apnea Syndrome (OSA) patients. Results. 707 patients, 513 men (70.6%), were titrated. Masks were 104 pillows (14.7%), group I (GI); 532 nasal (75.2%), group II (GII); and 71 oronasal masks (10%), group III (GIII). We found differences in effective pressure to the device (P90/P95) (GI: 7.13±1.9 vs. GII: 8.3±2.1 vs. GIII: 9.3±2.6 cmH2O, p 0.5), where lower residual AHI for pillows was p <0.001 and leaks for nasal were p <0.001. No differences were found in compliance (hours) (GI: 6.3±1.2 vs. GII: 6.2±1.1 vs. GIII: 6.1±1.0, p <0.4). Conclusion. During auto-adjusting titration by CPAP-naïve patients, nasal masks had lower leak rates and nasal pillows presented a similar performance

Comparative Study between Sequential Automatic and Manual Home Respiratory Polygraphy Scoring Using a Three-Channel Device: Impact of the Manual Editing of Events to Identify Severe Obstructive Sleep Apnea

Objective. According to current guidelines, autoscoring of respiratory events in respiratory polygraphy requires manual scoring. The aim of this study was to evaluate the agreement between automatic analysis and manual scoring to identify patients with suspected OSA. Methods. This retrospective study analyzed 791 records from respiratory polygraphy (RP) performed at home. The association grade between automatic scoring and manual scoring was evaluated using Kappa coefficient and the agreement using Bland and Altman test and intraclass correlation coefficient (CCI). To determine the accuracy in the identification of AHI≥30 eV/h, the ROC curve analysis was used. Results. The population analyzed consisted of 493 male (62.3%) and 298 female patients, with an average age of 54.7±14.20 years and BMI of 32.7±8.21 kg/m2. There was no significant difference between automatic and manual apnea/hypopnea indexes (aAHI, mAHI): aAHI 17.25 (SD: 17.42) versus mAHI 21.20±7.96 (p; NS). The agreement between mAHI and aAHI to AHI≥30 was 94%, with a Kappa coefficient of 0.83 (p<0.001) and a CCI of 0.83. The AUC-ROC, sensitivity, and specificity were 0.99 (CI 95%: 0.98-0.99, p<0.001), 86% (CI 95%: 78.7–91.4), and 97% (CI 95%: 96–98.3), respectively. Conclusions. We observed good agreement between automatic scoring and sequential manual scoring to identify subjects with AHI≥30 eV/h

Increase in the frequency of obstructive sleep apnea in elderly people

Background: The prevalence of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) increases with age. However, older adults have limited perception of the symptoms related with poor sleep quality. Objectives: To know the frequency and characteristics of age-related OSA in a large population with clinical suspicion of sleep apnea. Methods: We conducted a retrospective study. OSA was studied by respiratory polygraphy (RP). Patients were grouped by age (G): GI was between 18-45; GII: 46-65 and GIII > 65 years old. Other demographic characteristics, symptoms and RP indicators were compared. Epworth Sleep Scale (ESS) was used to analyze symptoms. Results: We included 2491 patients with sleep apnea symptoms. OSA frequency (AHI > 15) in each group was 33.2 % in GI; 45.8 in GII and 50.3 in GIII (p < 0.001). Despite the significant increase in OSA severity, GIII group reported fewer symptoms (ESS: 6.0; p < 0.001). Multivariate adjusted analysis showed that the odds ratio of having OSA is three times as high at age > 65 (OR: 3.32 (2.29 - 4.88) p < 0.001). Conclusions: As in previous reports, OSA prevalence in our population was higher among the elderly. The early identification of this syndrome in a population with poor perception of symptoms would aid to improve patient management

Palliative Approach in Advanced Respiratory Diseases/ Abordaje paliativo en enfermedades respiratorias avanzadas

Advanced chronic respiratory diseases are prevalent and cause deterioration in quality of life, particularly chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), diffuse interstitial lung diseases (ILD) and progressive neuromuscular diseases with diaphragmatic involvement (NMD). Those who suffer from them usually present persistent symptoms that are not always adequately controlled by the treatments recommended by the clinical management guidelines. Palliative treatment of persistent symptoms is a relevant point, but the palliative approach usually presents barriers to its implementation. This article offers a narrative review over Latin American perspective on the role of palliative care in advanced respiratory diseases

Patients’ preferences and the efficacy of a hybrid model of a minimal contact nasal mask in patients with sleep apnea treated with CPAP

Objectives: To evaluate patient`s satisfaction, efficacy and adherence to CPAP with a hybrid nasal mask (DW) we tested patients with OSA in unattended setting under real-life conditions. Material and Methods: Prospective, comparative study using DW mask 7 days against habitual mask in patients adapted to CPAP therapy. Results: We analyzed 52 patients: 35 men (67%) with IAH mean; 24.3±12.3 events/hour. At baseline mean compliance of 5.42±1.83 hours/night. After using DW mask, patients reported fewer marks, more comfort, greater partners acceptance, easier to use and was ranked higher to preventing leaks; p0.0042). Differences were not found in pressure 90th-95th percentile (9.6±9.2 cm of H2O, p<0.5), leaks (19.8±17 liters/min. p<0.37) or residual AHI (3.38±3.05 events/hour. p<0.93). Conclusion: In an uncontrolled non-randomized study, patients can use DW mask with similar leak level and better adherence as compared to conventional masks