Long-term Effects of COVID-19 on Sleep Patterns.

To examine the long-term impact of Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) on sleep patterns and prevalence of sleep disorders and to increase public health awareness of long COVID. MATERIAL AND Using the centralized Massachusetts General Brigham Research Patient Data Registry (RPDR), severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2)-positive patients were surveyed about their sleep patterns before and after the viral infection. Information related to co-morbid conditions and medications was obtained through chart review.

Associations Between Insomnia and Obstructive Sleep Apnea with Nutritional Intake After Involuntary Job Loss.

Objectives: Involuntary job loss is a stressful life event that can result in changes in nutritional intake. Both insomnia and obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) also are associated with alterations in dietary intake, but the extent to which this occurs in those who have experienced involuntary job loss is unclear. This study assessed nutritional intake in recently unemployed persons with insomnia and obstructive sleep apnea in comparison to those without a sleep disorder.

Quantifying the impact of the Philips recall on patients with sleep apnea and clinicians.

Study Objectives: Philips Respironics issued a voluntary recall of positive airway pressure devices used to treat obstructive sleep apnea in June 2021. We surveyed sleep medicine clinicians from the American Academy of Sleep Medicine membership to assess the impact of the recall on clinicians and patients.

Methods: One hundred thirty-six clinicians participated between June 2022 and November 2022.

Application of artificial intelligence in the diagnosis of sleep apnea.

Study Objectives: Machine learning (ML) models have been employed in the setting of sleep disorders. This review aims to summarize the existing data about the role of ML techniques in the diagnosis, classification, and treatment of sleep-related breathing disorders.

Methods: A systematic search in Medline, EMBASE, and Cochrane databases through January 2022 was performed.

NREM Parasomnias: Retrospective Analysis of Treatment Approaches and Comorbidities.

The aim of this retrospective analysis is to determine the most frequently prescribed medications for the treatment of NREM parasomnias and evaluate reported outcomes. We performed a retrospective chart review of all patients with NREM parasomnia diagnosed within Brigham and Women's Hospital (BWH) clinics examining the date of diagnosis, date of starting therapy, comorbidities, type of medication prescribed, and the reported change in symptoms or side effects at follow-up visits. From 2012 to 2019, 110 patients (59 females, 51 male) at BWH clinics received a diagnosis of NREM parasomnia, including sleepwalking and night terrors.

Effect of Palliative Care Curriculum on Serious Illness Conversation Preparedness.

Background: A shortage of palliative pare (PC) specialists underscores the necessity that all clinicians feel comfortable with serious illness conversations (SICs).

Objective: To assess the effect of an intensive PC curriculum with multiple teaching modalities on Internal Medicine residents' confidence with SICs and advance care planning documentation.

Methods: Twelve PC modules consisting of didactic lectures, role-playing, and online interactive modules were integrated as continuing education during academic year 2018-2019.

Impact of Recent Job Loss on Sleep, Energy Consumption and Diet.

Unlabelled: To examine how sleep quality and sleep duration affect caloric intake among those experiencing involuntary job loss.

Methods: Adequate sleep and self reported dietary recall data from the Assessing Daily Activity Patterns through Occupational Transitions (ADAPT) study was analysed. Primary sleep indices used were total sleep time, time spent in bed after final awakening, and sleep quality as measured by the Daily Sleep Diary (DSD).

Examining Changes in Sleep Duration Associated with the Onset of the COVID-19 Pandemic: Who is Sleeping and Who is Not?

The COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in social isolation and reports of insomnia. However, reports of changes in sleep duration and associated factors are few. To determine the impact of COVID-19 on changes in sleep behavior, data were analyzed from an online survey of adults recruited via social media that included questions asking whether the respondent slept less or more after the onset of the pandemic as well as self-reported sociodemographic and occupational information; beliefs about COVID-19; and responses pertaining to loneliness, anxiety, and depression.

Titration studies overestimate continuous positive airway pressure requirements in uncomplicated obstructive sleep apnea.

Study Objectives: Attended manual continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) titration is the standard practice for determining optimal positive airway pressures for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) treatment. However, an unattended single night auto-titrating positive airway pressure (APAP) titration is an alternative. The goal of this study was to determine whether therapeutic CPAP pressures determined during manual titrations are higher than APAP-generated surrogate pressures.

Examining changes in sleep duration associated with the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic: Who is sleeping and who is not?

Introduction: The COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in social isolation and reports of insomnia. However, reports of changes in sleep duration and associated factors are few.

Methods: Data were from an online survey of adults recruited via social media that included a question asking whether the respondent slept less or more after the onset of the pandemic.

Impact of the novel coronavirus disease on treatment adherence and sleep duration in patients with obstructive sleep apnea treated with positive airway pressure.

Study Objectives: The study objective was to examine the effect of coronavirus disease on treatment adherence and self-reported sleep duration among patients with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) treated with positive airway pressure therapy.

Methods: This was a retrospective review of medical records of patients seen in the Sleep and Circadian Clinic at Brigham Health during the immediate period of 1 month after the national lockdown was announced on March 15, 2020. Patients with OSA were included only if positive airway pressure adherence data were available in the 12 months before and in the month after the lockdown.

Clinical and Polysomnographic Correlates of Subjective Sleepiness in Mild Obstructive Sleep Apnea.

Purpose: The decision to treat mild obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) often hinges on the presence of subjective daytime sleepiness. This study was done to identify clinical and polysomnographic features which correlate with subjective sleepiness in mild OSA.

Methods: Utilizing data from the Apnea Positive Pressure Long-term Efficacy Study, 199 participants with mild OSA were identified.

The effect of CPAP on HRQOL as measured by the Quality of Well-Being Self Administered Questionaire (QWB-SA).

Background: To examine the effect of continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) on Health-related quality of life (HRQoL) as measured by the Quality of Well Being Self-Administered questionnaire (QWB-SA).

Methods: Participants from The Apnea Positive Pressure Long-term Efficacy Study (APPLES); a 6-month multicenter randomized, double-blinded intention to treat study, were included in this analysis. The participants with an apnea-hypopnea index >10 events/hour initially randomized to CPAP or Sham group were asked to complete QWB-SA at baseline, 2, 4, and 6-month visits.

Patients undergoing recurrent CT exams: assessment of patients with non-malignant diseases, reasons for imaging and imaging appropriateness.

Objective: To determine percent of patients without malignancy and ≤ 40 years of age with high cumulative radiation doses through recurrent CT exams and assess imaging appropriateness.

Methods: From the cohort of patients who received cumulative effective dose (CED) of ≥ 100 mSv over a 5-year period, a sub-set was identified with non-malignant disease. The top 50 clinical indications leading to multiple CTs were determined.

Novel non-pharmacological insomnia treatment - a pilot study.

Objective: The objective of this prospective pilot study was to examine the effects of a novel non-pharmacological device (BioBoosti) on insomnia symptoms in adults.

Methods: Subjects with chronic insomnia were instructed to hold the device in each hand for 8 mins for 6 cycles on a nightly basis for 2 weeks. Outcomes tested included standardized subjective sleep measures assessing sleep quality, insomnia symptoms, and daytime sleepiness.

Out of Center Sleep Testing in Ostensibly Healthy Middle Aged to Older Adults.

Background: Out of Center Sleep Testing (OCST) is used increasingly to diagnose obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). However, there are few data using OCST that quantify the amount of intrinsic apneic and hypopneic events among asymptomatic healthy persons, especially those who are elderly. This analysis reports the results of OCST in a small group of ostensibly healthy asymptomatic individuals.

ROLE OF SPOUSAL INVOLVEMENT IN CONTINUOUS POSITIVE AIRWAY PRESSURE (CPAP) ADHERENCE IN PATIENTS WITH OBSTRUCTIVE SLEEP APNEA (OSA).

Introduction: Little is known about the impact of spousal involvement on continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) adherence. The aim of this study was to determine whether spouse involvement affects adherence with CPAP therapy, and how this association varies with gender.

Methods: 194 subjects recruited from Apnea Positive Pressure Long Term Efficacy Study (APPLES) completed the Dyadic Adjustment Scale (DAS).

Impact of continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) on quality of life in patients with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA).

Obstructive sleep apnea is a chronic illness with increasing prevalence. In addition to associated cardiovascular comorbidities, obstructive sleep apnea syndrome has been linked to poor quality of life, occupational accidents, and motor vehicle crashes secondary to excessive daytime sleepiness. Although continuous positive airway pressure is the gold standard for sleep apnea treatment, its effects on quality of life are not well defined.

An Official American Thoracic Society Research Statement: Impact of Mild Obstructive Sleep Apnea in Adults.

Background: Mild obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is a highly prevalent disorder in adults; however, whether mild OSA has significant neurocognitive and cardiovascular complications is uncertain.

Objectives: The specific goals of this Research Statement are to appraise the evidence regarding whether long-term adverse neurocognitive and cardiovascular outcomes are attributable to mild OSA in adults, evaluate whether or not treatment of mild OSA is effective at preventing or reducing these adverse neurocognitive and cardiovascular outcomes, delineate the key research gaps, and provide direction for future research agendas.

Methods: Literature searches from multiple reference databases were performed using medical subject headings and text words for OSA in adults as well as by hand searches.

Lifestyle Factors and Risk of Restless Legs Syndrome: Prospective Cohort Study.

Study Objectives: To examine the association between modifiable lifestyle factors, and the risk of developing restless legs syndrome (RLS).

Methods: This is a Prospective Cohort study of population including 12,812 men participating in Health Professionals Follow-up Study and 42,728 women participating in the Nurses' Health study II. The participants were free of RLS at baseline (2002 for the HPFS and 2005 for the NHS II) and free of diabetes and arthritis through follow-up.

Lack of Impact of Mild Obstructive Sleep Apnea on Sleepiness, Mood and Quality of Life.

Background And Objectives: Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is associated with sleepiness, depression and reduced quality of life. However, it is unclear whether mild OSA has these negative impacts. Using data from the Apnea Positive Pressure Long-term Efficacy Study (APPLES), this study determined whether participants with mild OSA had greater sleepiness, more depressive symptoms and poorer quality of life in comparison to those without OSA.

Obstructive sleep apnea and psychomotor vigilance task performance.

Background: Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is a highly prevalent disorder with considerable morbidity and mortality. Vigilance and attentiveness are often impaired in OSA patients. In occupational medicine settings, subjective reports of sleepiness are notoriously inaccurate, making the identification of objective measures of vigilance potentially important for risk assessments of fitness for duty.

Impact of CPAP on activity patterns and diet in patients with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA).

Study Objectives: Patients with severe OSA consume greater amounts of cholesterol, protein, and fat as well as have greater caloric expenditure. However, it is not known whether their activity levels or diet change after treatment with CPAP. To investigate this issue, serial assessments of activity and dietary intake were performed in the Apnea Positive Pressure Long-term Efficacy Study (APPLES); a 6-month randomized controlled study of CPAP vs.

Prospective study of obesity, hypertension, high cholesterol, and risk of restless legs syndrome.

Because previous cross-sectional studies suggest an association between metabolic disorders and restless legs syndrome (RLS), we prospectively evaluated whether obesity, hypercholesterolemia, and hypertension were associated with increased risk of RLS. Our study consisted of 42,728 female participants from the Nurses' Health Study II and 12,812 male participants from the Health Professionals Follow-up Study, free of RLS at baseline (2002 for men and 2005 for women), and free of diabetes and arthritis through follow-up (2002-2008 for men and 2005-2009 for women). RLS symptoms were assessed using the International RLS Study Group's standardized questionnaire.