Effects of diesel exhaust inhalation on cognitive performance in human volunteers: A randomized controlled crossover study.

Background: Mounting evidence links exposure to traffic-related air pollution (TRAP) to impairment in cognitive functioning.

Objectives: To determine if short-term, controlled exposure to diesel exhaust (DE) adversely affects one or more cognitive function domains.

Methods: We carried out a double-blinded crossover design with 28 healthy, adult volunteers.

Obstructive sleep apnea severity, circulating biomarkers, and cancer risk.

Study Objectives: To determine whether obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) severity and/or biomarkers of inflammation/angiogenesis are associated with incident cancer in this clinical cohort.

Methods: Consenting adult patients at the University of British Columbia Hospital between 2003 and 2014 completed a questionnaire about their medical history and sleep habits prior to undergoing a polysomnogram. Blood samples were collected the morning after polysomnography and processed for biomarkers of inflammation and angiogenesis.

All Obstructive Sleep Apnea Events Are Not Created Equal: The Relationship between Event-related Hypoxemia and Physiologic Response.

Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) severity is typically assessed by the apnea-hypopnea index (AHI), a frequency-based metric that allocates equal weight to all respiratory events. However, more severe events may have a greater physiologic impact. The purpose of this study was to determine whether the degree of event-related hypoxemia would be associated with the postevent physiologic response.

Disparities in self-reported healthcare access for airways disease in British Columbia, Canada, during the COVID-19 pandemic. Insights from a survey co-developed with people living with asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

Patients' perspectives on the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on their access to asthma and COPD healthcare could inform better, more equitable care delivery. We demonstrate this topic using British Columbia (BC), Canada, where the impact of the pandemic has not been described. We co-designed a cross-sectional survey with patient partners and administered it to a convenience sample of people living with asthma and COPD in BC between September 2020 and March 2021.

The rs579459 ABO gene polymorphism and risk of incident cardiovascular events in obstructive sleep apnea: a pilot study.

Purpose: We have previously shown that the TT genotype (rs579459 location of the ABO gene) is significantly associated with circulating levels of e-selectin in patients with suspected obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). We hypothesized that this genotype would be associated with incident cardiovascular disease (CVD).

Methods: Patients with suspected OSA who had a full diagnostic polysomnogram from 2003 to 2011 were recruited; CV events occurring within 8 years of polysomnography were identified by linkage to provincial health databases.

Association of insomnia and short sleep duration, alone or with comorbid obstructive sleep apnea, and the risk of chronic kidney disease.

Study Objectives: Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), sleep fragmentation, and short sleep duration (SD) have been associated with chronic kidney disease (CKD). However, these potential mechanisms for CKD have not been compared in the same cohort. This study investigated the independent and combined impact of OSA and insomnia with short sleep duration on the risk of CKD progression in a sleep clinic population.

The public health burden of obstructive sleep apnea.

Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is the most common respiratory disorder of sleep. The vast majority (>80%) of adults with moderate to severe OSA remain undiagnosed. The economic costs associated with OSA are substantial for both the individual and society as a whole; expenses are likely to be underestimated given that the disease remains undiagnosed in such a large percentage of individuals.

Risk of chronic kidney disease in patients with obstructive sleep apnea.

Study Objectives: Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is a global health concern and a major risk factor for cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) may exacerbate this risk by contributing to the development of CKD. This study investigated the prevalence and patient awareness of the risk of CKD progression in individuals with OSA.

Circulating levels of cell adhesion molecules and risk of cardiovascular events in obstructive sleep apnea.

Background: Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) patients are at increased risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD). Cell adhesion molecules (CAM) are increased in OSA and CAM are also implicated in the development of CVD.

Research Question: Do CAM (ICAM-1, VCAM-1 and E-selectin) have prognostic value in identifying risk of cardiovascular events in OSA?

Study Design And Methods: Patients with suspected OSA referred for a polysomnogram provided a fasting blood sample.

Cognitive Function in a Sleep Clinic Cohort of Patients with Obstructive Sleep Apnea.

Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is associated with an increased risk of mild cognitive impairment (MCI) within the general population. However, MCI risk in sleep-clinic populations of patients with OSA is poorly characterized. To determine the prevalence of MCI in a sleep-clinic population of patients with OSA and which patients are at the greatest risk for this complication.

Symptom subtypes and cognitive function in a clinic-based OSA cohort: a multi-centre Canadian study.

Background: Distinct symptom subtypes are found in patients with OSA. The association between these subtypes and neurocognitive function is unclear.

Objective: The purposes of this study were to assess whether OSA symptom subtypes are present in a cohort of Canadian patients with suspected OSA and evaluate the relationship between subtypes and neurocognitive function.

Obstructive Sleep Apnea Severity and the Risk of Occupational Injury: A Prospective Observational Cohort.

Objective: To determine whether patients with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) are at increased risk of occupational injury (OI) METHODS: Working patients (aged 18 to 65 who reported more than 10 h of work per week) who were referred to the University of British Columbia Sleep Laboratory for suspected OSA for polysomnogram (PSG) were recruited from 2003 to 2011. Patients completed an extensive survey the night of their PSG. Validated OI was obtained by linking patient data to Workers Compensation Board Claims Data.

Circulating biomarkers to identify cardiometabolic complications in patients with Obstructive Sleep Apnea: A systematic review.

Untreated Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is associated with an increased risk of cardiometabolic diseases such as diabetes and myocardial infarction. However, it is difficult to predict which patients are at particularly high risk. This systematic review aimed to identify potentially useful circulating biomarkers that could predict cardiometabolic complications in OSA.

Adhesion molecule gene variants and plasma protein levels in patients with suspected obstructive sleep apnea.

Study Objectives: Untreated obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) patients have an increased risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD). Adhesion molecules, including soluble E-selectin (sE-selectin), intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1), and vascular adhesion molecule-1 (VCAM-1), are associated with incident CVD. We hypothesized that specific genetic variants will be associated with plasma levels of adhesion molecules in suspected OSA patients.

Obstructive sleep apnoea and frequency of occupational injury.

We sought to determine whether patients with obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA) are at increased risk of occupational injury (OI). Patients referred to the University of British Columbia Hospital Sleep Laboratory for suspected OSA (May 2003 to July 2011 were recruited and rates and types of validated OI (that caused at least 1 day of disability) in the 5 years prior to polysomnography were calculated. In a sample of 1236, patients with OSA were twice as likely (OR=1.

The effect of OSA on work disability and work-related injuries.

OSA is a common yet underdiagnosed respiratory disorder characterized by recurrent upper airway obstruction during sleep. OSA results in sleep fragmentation and repetitive hypoxemia and is associated with a variety of adverse consequences including excessive daytime sleepiness, reduced quality of life, cardiovascular disease, decreased learning skills, and neurocognitive impairment. Neurocognitive impairments that have been linked to poor sleep include memory deficits, decreased learning skills, inability to concentrate, and decreased alertness.

Impact of work schedules on sleep duration of critical care nurses.

Background: Sleep deprivation leads to reduced vigilance and potentially impairs work performance. Nurses may work long shifts that may contribute to sleep deprivation.

Objective: To assess how nurses' sleep patterns are affected by work schedules and other factors.

Factors associated with disclosure of HIV status among a cohort of individuals on antiretroviral therapy in British Columbia, Canada.

We sought to examine the prevalence and correlates of HIV-disclosure among treatment-experienced individuals in British Columbia, Canada. Study participants completed an interviewer-administered survey between July 2007 and January 2010. The primary outcome of interest was disclosing one's HIV-positive status to all new sexual partners within the last 6 months.

Online health information seeking among Jewish and Arab adolescents in Israel: results from a national school survey.

This study examined patterns and determinants of seeking online health information among a nationally representative sample of 7,028 Jewish and Arab 7th- through 12th-grade students in 158 schools in Israel. Nearly all respondents (98.7%) reported Internet access, and 52.

The impact of a telemedicine monitoring system on positive airway pressure adherence in patients with obstructive sleep apnea: a randomized controlled trial.

Study Objectives: First-line therapy for patients with moderate to severe obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is positive airway pressure (PAP). Although PAP is a highly efficacious treatment, adherence to PAP is still a substantial clinical problem. The objective of this study was to determine whether PAP adherence can be improved with a telemedicine monitoring system.

Influence of residency training on multiple attempts at endotracheal intubation.

Purpose: Endotracheal intubation (ETI) of critically ill patients is a high-risk procedure that is commonly performed by resident physicians. Multiple attempts (>/=2) at intubation have previously been shown to be associated with severe complications. Our goal was to determine the association between year of training, type of residency, and multiple attempts at ETI.