Journal of clinical sleep medicine : JCSM : official publication of the American Academy of Sleep Medicine
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Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) is increasingly prevalent among Veterans characterized by recurrent nightmare and disrupted sleep. Veterans with PTSD also have a high prevalence of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) and untreated OSA worsens the sleep-related symptoms of PTSD. In our study, we hypothesized that among PTSD-afflicted Veterans with OSA, CPAP therapy may reduce the frequency of nightmares and a better CPAP compliance may be associated with increased symptom improvement. ⋯ In Veterans with PTSD and OSA, CPAP therapy reduces PTSD-associated nightmares and improves overall PTSD symptoms. We recommend that all PTSD patients should be screened clinically for symptoms of OSA and receive CPAP treatment whenever possible to improve PTSD symptoms.
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Review Meta Analysis
Effect of obstructive sleep apnea hypopnea syndrome on lipid profile: a meta-regression analysis.
Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is associated with obesity, metabolic syndrome, and dyslipidemia, which may be related to decrease androgen levels found in OSA patients. Dyslipidemia may contribute to atherosclerosis leading to increasing risk of heart disease. ⋯ Patients with OSA appear to have increased dyslipidemia (high total cholesterol, LDL, TG, and low HDL).
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The American Association of Sleep Technologists (AAST) Board of Directors hosted a Sleep Technology Summit on September 21, 2013 with the goals of identifying changes in the delivery of diagnostic and treatment services to sleep disorders patients, predicting the impact on sleep technologists, identifying new roles for sleep technologists, and determining appropriate education to prepare technologists for the future. A carefully chosen panel of speakers focused on the business skills necessary to provide care cost effectively and the clinical skills that will be essential for the technologist of the future to help care for patients with sleep disorders. A group of selected leaders, educators, and industry professionals reviewed the current state of affairs and examined opportunities to sustain the profession and define the role of the sleep technologist of the future. ⋯ In order to maintain viability as an allied health profession, the majority of sleep technologists will need to be better educated and demonstrate competency in more roles than overnight monitoring and record scoring. Models for this transition already exist, with several programs moving technologists from night work to days and from diagnosis to patient education, provision of treatment, and monitoring of adherence. The challenge for the professional association is to define new roles for sleep technologists and provide the education that the membership will require to flourish in those new roles.
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Obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS) and sleep disordered breathing (SDB) can affect the sympathetic adrenomedullary system (SAM). As a biomarker of SAM activity, salivary α-amylase (sAA) in pediatric subjects was evaluated whether it has any correlation with polysomnographic (PSG) parameters related to SDB. ⋯ sAA was well related to polysomnographic (PSG) parameters related to SDB, such as AHI and ODI. Therefore, screening test for sAA in children suspected to have SBD may help to identify OSAS patients from control.