Recommendations for the management of patients with obstructive sleep apnoea and hypertension.

This article is aimed at addressing the current state-of-the-art in epidemiology, pathophysiology, diagnostic procedures and treatment options for appropriate management of obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA) in cardiovascular (in particular hypertensive) patients, as well as for the management of cardiovascular diseases (in particular arterial hypertension) in OSA patients. The present document is the result of work performed by a panel of experts participating in the European Union COST (Cooperation in Scientific and Technological research) Action B26 on OSA, with the endorsement of the European Respiratory Society and the European Society of Hypertension. In particular, these recommendations …

Mild obstructive sleep apnea increases hypertension risk, challenging traditional severity classification

STUDY OBJECTIVES: The association of mild obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) with important clinical outcomes remains unclear. We aimed to investigate the association between mild OSA and systemic arterial hypertension (SAH) in the European Sleep Apnea Database cohort. METHODS: In a multicenter sample of 4,732 participants, we analyzed the risk of mild OSA (subclassified into 2 groups: mild(AHI 5-<11/h) (apnea-hypopnea index [AHI], 5 to <11 events/h) and mild(AHI 11-<15/h) (AHI, ≥11 to <15 events/h) compared with nonapneic snorers for prevalent SAH after adjustment for relevant confounding factors including sex, age, smoking, obesity, daytime sleepiness, dyslipidemia, chronic obstructive pulmona…

Change in weight and central obesity by positive airway pressure treatment in obstructive sleep apnea patients: Longitudinal data from the European Sleep Apnea Database (ESADA)

Introduction: The effect of continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) treatment on body weight and central obesity in obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) patients is still unclear. Objectives: We aimed to study body composition change during CPAP treatment in the European Sleep Apnea Database (ESADA). Methods: OSA patients with a CPAP treatment follow-up time of more than 30 days in the ESADA registry were selected (n=2015). Body mass index (BMI), body weight, waist-, hip- and neck-circumferences were assessed at baseline and follow-up (median [interquartile range], 242 [380] days). Predictors for body composition changes with CPAP were analyzed adjusting for confounders. Results: Overall, there…

Clinical presentation of patients with suspected obstructive sleep apnea and self-reported physician-diagnosed asthma in the ESADA cohort.

Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) and asthma are often associated and several studies suggest a bidirectional relationship between asthma and OSA. This study analyzed the characteristics of patients with suspected OSA from the European Sleep Apnea Database according to presence/absence of physician-diagnosed asthma. Cross-sectional data in 16,236 patients (29.1% female) referred for suspected OSA were analyzed according to occurrence of physician-diagnosed asthma for anthropometrics, OSA severity and sleepiness. Sleep structure was assessed in patients studied by polysomnography (i.e. 48% of the sample). The prevalence of physician-diagnosed asthma in the entire cohort was 4.8% (7.9% in women, …

Positive Airway Pressure Treatment Reduces Glycated Hemoglobin (HbA1c) Levels in Obstructive Sleep Apnea Patients: Longitudinal Data from the Esada

European-Respiratory-Society (ERS) International Congress -- SEP 28-OCT 02, 2019 -- Madrid, SPAIN

Long-term positive airway pressure therapy is associated with reduced total cholesterol levels in patients with obstructive sleep apnea : data from the European Sleep Apnea Database (ESADA)

Background and aim: Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is an independent risk factor for dyslipidemia. The current study examined the effects of positive airway pressure (PAP) treatment on lipid status in the European Sleep Apnea Database (ESADA). Methods: The prospective cohort study enrolled 1564 OSA subjects (74% male, mean age 54 ± 11y, body mass index (BMI) 32.7 ± 6.6 kg/m2 and apnea-hypopnea index (AHI) 40.3 ± 24.4 n/h) undergoing PAP therapy for at least three months (mean 377.6 ± 419.5 days). Baseline and follow-up total cholesterol (TC) from nine centers were analyzed. Repeated measures and logistic regression tests (adjusted for age, sex, weight changes, lipid lowering medication, PAP …

Change in weight and central obesity by positive airway pressure treatment in obstructive sleep apnea patients: longitudinal data from the ESADA cohort

The effect of positive airway pressure treatment on weight and markers of central obesity in patients with obstructive sleep apnea remains unclear. We studied the change in body weight and anthropometric measures following positive airway pressure treatment in a large clinical cohort. Patients with obstructive sleep apnea with positive airway pressure treatment from the European Sleep Apnea Database registry (n = 1, 415, 77% male, age 54 ± 11 [mean ± SD] years, body mass index 31.7 ± 6.4 kg/m2, apnea–hypopnea index 37 ± 24 n per hr, Epworth Sleepiness Scale 10.2 ± 5.0) were selected. Changes in body mass index and neck/waist/hip circumferences at baseline and at follow-up visit were analyse…

Clusters of sleep apnoea phenotypes: A large pan-European study from the European Sleep Apnoea Database (ESADA)

Background and objective: To personalize OSA management, several studies have attempted to better capture disease heterogeneity by clustering methods. The aim of this study was to conduct a cluster analysis of 23 000 OSA patients at diagnosis using the multinational ESADA. Methods: Data from 34 centres contributing to ESADA were used. An LCA was applied to identify OSA phenotypes in this European population representing broad geographical variations. Many variables, including symptoms, comorbidities and polysomnographic data, were included. Prescribed medications were classified according to the ATC classification and this information was used for comorbidity confirmation. Results: Eight cl…

THE EUROPEAN SLEEP APNOEA DATABASE (ESADA) -- Report from 22 European Sleep Laboratories

The European Sleep Apnoea Database (ESADA) reflects a network of 22 sleep disorder centres in Europe enabled by a COST action B26 programme. This ongoing project aims to describe differences in standard clinical care of patients with obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA) and to establish a resource for genetic research in this disorder. Patients with suspected OSA are consecutively included and followed up according to local clinical standards. Anthropometrics, medical history, medication, daytime symptoms and sleep data (polysomnography or cardiorespiratory polygraphy) are recorded in a structured web-based report form. 5,103 patients (1,426 females, mean±SD age 51.8±12.6 yrs, 79.4% with apnoea/h…

Mild obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA) and arterial hypertension in the EuropeanSleep Apnoea Database (ESADA) cohort study.

Background: Mild obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA) is highly prevalent, however its association with important clinical outcomes like arterial hypertension remains unknown. Aims and Objectives: To investigate the association between mild OSA and arterial hypertension in the European Sleep Apnoea Database (ESADA) cohort after adjusting for relevant confounding factors. Methods: A multicentric sample of 4974 adults from the ESADA cohort who showed simple snoring or mild OSA at cardiorespiratory polygraphy was studied. We compared the predictive value of mild OSA (AHI 5- Results: Arterial hypertension prevalence was 37% in mild OSA patients (n=2457) compared to 20% in non-apnoeic snorers (n=2517,…

Challenges and perspectives in obstructive sleep apnoea: Report by an ad hoc working group of the Sleep Disordered Breathing Group of the European Respiratory Society and the European Sleep Research Society

Obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA) is a major challenge for physicians and healthcare systems throughout the world. The high prevalence and the impact on daily life of OSA oblige clinicians to offer effective and acceptable treatment options. However, recent evidence has raised questions about the benefits of positive airway pressure therapy in ameliorating comorbidities.An international expert group considered the current state of knowledge based on the most relevant publications in the previous 5 years, discussed the current challenges in the field, and proposed topics for future research on epidemiology, phenotyping, underlying mechanisms, prognostic implications and optimal treatment of pat…

Impact of temperature on obstructive sleep apnoea in three different climate zones of Europe: Data from the European Sleep Apnoea Database (ESADA)

Recent studies indicate that ambient temperature may modulate obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA) severity. However, study results are contradictory warranting more investigation in this field. We analysed 19,293 patients of the European Sleep Apnoea Database (ESADA) cohort with restriction to the three predominant climate zones according to the Koppen-Geiger climate classification: Cfb (warm temperature, fully humid, warm summer), Csa (warm temperature, summer dry, hot summer), and Dfb (snow, fully humid, warm summer). Average outside temperature values were obtained and several hierarchical regression analyses were performed to investigate the impact of temperature on the apnea-hypopnea index …

Severity Of Sleep Disordered Breathing Is An Independent Predictor Of Glycemic Health: The European Sleep Cohort (ESADA) Study

Prevalence of physician-diagnosed asthma in patients with suspected obstructive sleep apnea syndrome: A cross-sectional analysis of the ESADA database

It has been reported that bronchial asthma is often associated with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) and daytime sleepiness. We analyzed the prevalence of physician-diagnosed asthma in 4929 subjects with suspected obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) in the European Sleep Apnea database (ESADA) Cohort. Patients were studied by respiratory polygraphy (PG: n=1624, 66.6% males) or full polysomnography (PSG: n=3305, 70.4% males), and the clinical characteristics of asthmatic (A) and non-asthmatic (non-A) patients were analyzed according to OSA severity. Significance was at p 2 , p=0.0004) and showed more severe daytime sleepiness (Epworth score: 10.4±5.6 vs 9.5±5.3, p=0.0015) and a trend for worse noctur…

Regional differences in characteristics of patients referred to European sleep centers. Results from the European Sleep Apnea Database (ESADA)

The European Sleep Apnoea Database (ESADA) ERS Clinical Research Collaboration: past, present and future

There are some critical issues that determine the sustainability of the ESADA project in the long term. We need to develop strategies to maintain high data quality and enable new research activities related to the database. Funding may be provided by public and academic institutions or by collaborations with industry. We plan to submit EU research or public health projects, and cooperation with other cohorts will help to reach the critical mass necessary to cover the entire European area. Again, the CRC is a very good opportunity to pursue this goal, not only for the visibility provided by the endorsement of a leading society like the ERS, but also for the practical support in submission of…

Blood pressure reduction following treatment with positive airway pressure in sleep apnea: data from the European Sleep Apnea Database

Abstract Introduction Positive airway pressure (PAP) treatment modifies blood pressure (BP) in patients with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). We aimed to explore which factors that influence the BP response to PAP therapy in the European Sleep Apnea Database (ESADA). Methods A total of 2662 OSA patients with PAP therapy ≥90 days were included in the analysis (74% male, age 55±11 years, body mass index 32.3±6.1 kg/m2, 47% hypertensives, apnea-hypopnea index 40±24 events/h, treatment duration 1.0±1.1 years, PAP compliance 5.2±1.9 h/day). Anthropometric data, co-medications and office BP were assessed at baseline and follow-up visit. Results Systolic and diastolic BP were modestly reduced after …

Obstructive sleep apnea is an independent predictor for dyslipidemia: Data from the European Sleep Apnea Database (ESADA)

Background and aim: Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) and dyslipidemia are both independently well-recognized risk factors for cardiovascular disease. Previous data are inconclusive regarding the relationship between OSA and dyslipidemia. The aim of the present study was to investigate the association between OSA and dyslipidemia in ESADA (European Sleep Apnea Database). Methods: The cross-sectional analysis included 8592 patients (age 50.1±12.7 years, 69.1% male, BMI 30.8±6.6 kg/m2, mean AHI 25.7±25.9 n/h) from the ESADA. The independent relationship between measures of OSA (AHI, ODI, mean and lowest saturation) and lipid profile (total cholesterol [TC], HDL-cholesterol [HDL-C] (n=3289) and fa…

Cancer prevalence is increased in females with sleep apnoea: data from the ESADA study

[No abstract available]

Comment to the Editorial by KS Park and EW Kang “Is only fixed positive airway pressure a robust tool for kidney protection in patients with obstructive sleep apnea?”

We thank doctors Park and Kang for their editorial that well summarized our article. Our common belief is that one of the possible consequences of untreated obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is an accelerated deterioration of kidney function, and that more knowledge would be necessary on the possible protective effects of OSA treatments. To our knowledge, so far the only OSA therapy whose effects on renal function have been tested is continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP), and most , although not all studies, have demonstrated its benefits. Our own study, while confirming benefits of fixed CPAP, has demonstrated little effect of auto-adjusting CPAP (APAP). This finding may be of relevance a…

Evaluation of a multicomponent grading system for obstructive sleep apnoea: the Baveno classification

New findings on pathophysiology, epidemiology, and outcome have raised concerns on the relevance of the apnoea–hypopnoea index (AHI) in the classification of obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA) severity. Recently, a multicomponent grading system decision integrating symptomatology and comorbidities (Baveno classification), was proposed to characterise OSA and to guide therapeutic decisions. We evaluated whether this system reflects the OSA population, whether it translates into differences in outcomes, and whether the addition of AHI improves the scheme. A total of 14 499 OSA patients from the European Sleep Apnoea Database cohort were analysed. The groups were homogeneously distributed and were…

Obstructive sleep apnoea in adult patients post-tonsillectomy

Background: The impact of removing the upper airway lymphoid tissue and in particular, tonsillectomy, in adults with OSA has not been demonstrated in large populations. Aims: To compare the severity of OSA and the prevalence of cardiovascular, metabolic and respiratory co-morbidities between patients with OSA who had undergone previous tonsillectomy and those who had not. Methods: The 19,711 participants in this study came from the European sleep apnea database (ESADA) which comprises data from unselected adult patients aged 18–80 years with a history of symptoms suggestive of OSA referred to sleep centers throughout Europe. Results: There were no differences between the two groups in terms…

Fixed But Not Autoadjusting Positive Airway Pressure Attenuates the Time-dependent Decline in Glomerular Filtration Rate in Patients With OSA

Abstract: BACKGROUND: The impact of treating OSA on renal function decline is controversial. Previous studies usually included small samples and did not consider specific effects of different CPAP modalities. The aim of this study was to evaluate the respective influence of fixed and autoadjusting CPAP modes on estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) in a large sample of patients derived from the prospective European Sleep Apnea Database cohort. METHODS: In patients of the European Sleep Apnea Database, eGFR prior to and after follow-up was calculated by using the Chronic Kidney Disease-Epidemiology Collaboration equation. Three study groups were investigated: untreated patients (n = 14…

Obstructive sleep apnoea independently predicts lipid levels: Data from the European Sleep Apnea Database

Background and objective: Obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA) and dyslipidaemia are independent risk factors for cardiovascular disease. This study investigates the association between OSA and plasma lipid concentrations in patients enrolled in the European Sleep Apnea Database (ESADA) cohort. Methods: The cross-sectional analysis included 8592 patients without physician-diagnosed hyperlipidaemia or reported intake of a lipid-lowering drug (age 50.1 ± 12.7 years, 69.1% male, BMI: 30.8 ± 6.6 kg/m2, mean apnoea–hypopnoea index (AHI): 25.7 ± 25.9 events/h). The independent relationship between measures of OSA (AHI, oxygen desaturation index (ODI), mean and lowest oxygen saturation) and lipid profil…

Reference values for mean overnight saturation in sleep apnoea – the European Sleep Apnoea Database (ESADA)

Introduction: Normative values for mean overnight oxygen saturation during sleep in apnoea patients stratified for age, BMI, and sleep apnoea severity are lacking. Aim: To establish reference intervals for overnight mean saturation in a large sleep apnoea patient cohort. Methods: Mean overnight oxygen saturation was analysed in adult patients (n=23,220) from the European Sleep Apnoea Database (ESADA, 30 sleep centres, 18 European countries). Data were classified according to age, gender, BMI ( Results: Mean overnight saturation was 93.0% (95% confidence interval (CI) 92.9 to 93.1%). Age influenced the adjusted mean nocturnal saturation (93.6%, 93.2%, 92.9%, 92.5%, 92.2% and 91.9% for those …

OSA and cancer in Europe: the European Sleep Apnea Database (ESADA) experience

Background: Experimental and clinical studies suggest a relationship between Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA) and cancer development or progression Objectives: To explore the association between the severity of OSA and prevalence of cancer among patients reported to the European Sleep Apnea Database (ESADA) after control of several known risk factors for cancer development Methods: A prospective multicentre cohort study of adult patients with OSA (Apnea/Hypopnea Index, AHI≥5). OSA severity was classified according to AHI, Oxygen Desaturation Index (ODI) and % night-time spent with oxygen saturation Results: Of 19,556 participants, 357 (1.8%, 59.4% male) had been diagnosed with malignancy. Pati…

Mild OSA and arterial hypertension in the European Sleep Apnoea Database cohort study

Background: Mild obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA) is highly prevalent; however its association with important clinical outcomes like arterial hypertension remains unknown. Aims: To investigate the association between mild OSA and hypertension in the European Sleep Apnoea Database (ESADA) cohort after adjusting for relevant confounding factors. Methods: A multicentric sample of 7995 adults from the ESADA cohort with simple snoring or mild OSA at PG or PSG was studied. We compared the predictive value of mild OSA (AHI 5- Results: Arterial hypertension prevalence was 37% in mild OSA  (n=1566) compared to 22% in non-apnoeic snorers (n=793, p Conclusion: Our results suppport the hypothesis that mi…

Hyperlipidemia Prevalence and Cholesterol Control in OSA: Data from European Sleep Apnea Database (ESADA)

European-Respiratory-Society (ERS) International Congress -- SEP 28-OCT 02, 2019 -- Madrid, SPAIN

Effects of sleep apnea and kidney dysfunction on objective sleep quality in nondialyzed patients with chronic kidney disease: an ESADA study

Study Objectives: Patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) often report poor sleep quality, but they commonly exhibit OSA. The aim of this study was to evaluate the influence of OSA severity and of estimated glomerular filtration rate impairment on objective sleep quality in nondialyzed patients with CKD, defined as an estimated glomerular filtration rate &lt;60 mL/min/1.73m2. Methods: Polysomnographic sleep characteristics were compared between patients with (n = 430) and without CKD (n = 6,639) in the European Sleep Apnea Database cohort. Comparisons were repeated in 375 patients with CKD and 375 control patients without CKD matched for sleep center, age, sex, and AHI, and in 310 matche…

Cardiometabolic impact and symptom profile of obstructivesleep apnea: does gender matter?

European-Respiratory-Society (ERS) International Congress -- SEP 28-OCT 02, 2019 -- Madrid, SPAIN