Cognition in schizophrenia improves with treatment of severe obstructive sleep apnoea: a pilot study

Previous studies have shown that people with schizophrenia have high rates of Obstructive Sleep Apnoea (OSA). Despite this, intervention studies to treat OSA in this population have not been undertaken. The ASSET (Assessing Sleep in Schizophrenia and Evaluating Treatment) pilot study investigated Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP) treatment of severe OSA in participants recruited from a clozapine clinic in Adelaide. Participants with severe untreated OSA (Apnoea-Hypopnoea Index (AHI) > 30), were provided with CPAP treatment, and assessed at baseline and six months across the following domains: physical health, quality of sleep, sleepiness, cognition, psychiatric symptoms and CPAP adherence. Six of the eight ASSET participants with severe OSA accepted CPAP. At baseline, half of the cohort had hypertension, all were obese with a mean BMI of 45, and they scored on average 1.47 standard deviations below the normal population in cognitive testing. The mean AHI was 76.8 and sleep architecture was markedly impaired with mean rapid eye movement (REM) sleep 4.1% and mean slow wave sleep (SWS) 4.8%. After six months of treatment there were improvements in cognition (BACS Z score improved by an average of 0.59) and weight loss (mean weight loss 7.3 ± 9 kg). Half of the participants no longer had hypertension and sleep architecture improved with mean REM sleep 31.4% of the night and mean SWS 24% of the night. Our data suggests CPAP may offer novel benefits to address cognitive impairment and sleep disturbance in people with schizophrenia.Hannah Myles, Nicholas Myles, Ching Li Chai Coetzer, Robert Adams, Madhu Chandratilleke, Dennis Liu, Jeremy Mercer, Andrew Vakulin, Andrew Vincent, Gary Wittert, Cherrie Galletl

Economic evaluation of diagnostic sleep studies for obstructive sleep apnoea: a systematic review protocol

Background: Obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA) is a significant public health problem affecting a large proportion of the population and is associated with adverse health consequences and a substantial economic burden. Despite the existence of effective treatment, undiagnosed OSA remains a challenge. The gold standard diagnostic tool is polysomnography (PSG), yet the test is expensive, labour intensive and time-consuming. Home-based, limited channel sleep study testing (levels 3 and 4) can advance and widen access to diagnostic services. This systematic review aims to summarise available evidence regarding the cost-effectiveness of limited channel tests compared to laboratory and home PSG in diagnosing OSA. Methods: Eligible studies will be identified using a comprehensive strategy across the following databases from inception onwards: MEDLINE, PsychINFO, SCOPUS, CINAHL, Cochrane Library, Emcare and Web of Science Core Collection and ProQuest databases. The search will include a full economic evaluation (i.e. cost-effectiveness, costutility, cost-benefit, cost-consequences and cost-minimisation analysis) that assesses limited channel tests and PSG. Two reviewers will screen, extract data for included studies and critically appraise the articles for bias and quality. Meta-analyses will be conducted if aggregation of outcomes can be performed. Qualitative synthesis using a dominance ranking matrix will be performed for heterogeneous data. Discussion: This systematic review protocol uses a rigorous, reproducible and transparent methodology and eligibility criteria to provide the current evidence relating to the clinical and economic impact of limited channel and full PSG OSA diagnostic tests. Evidence will be examined using standardised tools specific for economic evaluation studies.Andrea N. Natsky, Andrew Vakulin, Ching Li Chai Coetzer, R.D. McEvoy, Robert J. Adams and Billingsley Kaambw

Altered swallowing biomechanics in people with moderate-severe obstructive sleep apnea

Published online:September 1, 2021Study Objectives: Dysphagia is a common but under-recognized complication of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). However, the mechanisms remain poorly described. Accordingly, the aim of this study was to assess swallowing symptoms and use high-resolution pharyngeal manometry to quantify swallowing biomechanics in patients with moderate-severe OSA. Methods: Nineteen adults (4 female; mean (range) age, 46 ± 26-68 years) with moderate-severe OSA underwent high-resolution pharyngeal manometry testing with 5-, 10-, and 20-mL volumes of thin and extremely thick liquids. Data were compared with 19 age- and sex-matched healthy controls (mean (range) age, 46 ± 27-68 years). Symptomatic dysphagia was assessed using the Sydney Swallow Questionnaire. Swallow metrics were analyzed using the online application swallowgateway.com. General linear mixed model analysis was performed to investigate potential differences between people with moderate-severe OSA and controls. Data presented are means [95% confidence intervals]. Results: Twenty-six percent (5 of 19) of the OSA group but none of the controls reported symptomatic dysphagia (Sydney Swallow Questionnaire > 234). Compared with healthy controls, the OSA group had increased upper esophageal sphincter relaxation pressure (−2 [−1] vs 2 [1] mm Hg, F = 32.1, P < .0001), reduced upper esophageal sphincter opening (6 vs 5 mS, F = 23.6, P < .0001), and increased hypopharyngeal intrabolus pressure (2 [1] vs 7 [1] mm Hg, F = 19.0, P < .05). Additionally, upper pharyngeal pressures were higher, particularly at the velopharynx (88 [12] vs 144 [12] mm Hg⋅cm⋅s, F = 69.6, P < .0001). Conclusions: High-resolution pharyngeal manometry identified altered swallowing biomechanics in people with moderate-severe OSA, which is consistent with a subclinical presentation. Potential contributing mechanisms include upper esophageal sphincter dysfunction with associated upstream changes of increased hypopharyngeal distension pressure and velopharyngeal contractility.Mistyka S. Schar, Taher I. Omari, Charmaine M. Woods, Lara F. Ferris, Sebastian H. Doeltgen, Kurt Lushington, Anna Kontos, Theodore Athanasiadis, Charles Cock, Ching-Li Chai Coetzer, Danny J. Eckert, Eng H. Oo