Publications by authors named "McNicholas W"

Article Synopsis
  • The study evaluates a modified "Baveno classification" for treating obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA) by incorporating a cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk score and considering severe breathing issues.
  • Researchers analyzed data from 8,625 OSA patients, categorizing them into risk groups and assessing the impact of treatment over 12-24 months using results from the Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS) and systolic blood pressure (SBP).
  • Findings show that treatment indications increased with higher CVD risk, and significant improvements in sleepiness and blood pressure were noted, supporting the importance of CVD assessment in OSA management.
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Article Synopsis
  • The study aimed to identify factors predicting ongoing driving risks related to sleepiness in patients with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) undergoing continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) treatment.
  • Researchers analyzed data from over 5,300 patients, assessing incidents of near-misses and accidents before and after at least 90 days of CPAP therapy.
  • Findings revealed that ongoing sleepiness while driving and poor treatment adherence (less than 4 hours per night) significantly increased the likelihood of near-misses and accidents, highlighting the need for thorough follow-ups by health professionals.
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Many studies have shown an association of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) with incident cardiovascular diseases, particularly when comorbid with insomnia, excessive sleepiness, obesity hypoventilation syndrome, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) have demonstrated that treatment of OSA with positive airway pressure devices (CPAP) improves systemic hypertension, particularly in those with resistant hypertension who are adherent to CPAP. However, large RCTs have not shown long-term benefits of CPAP on hard cardiovascular outcomes, but post hoc analyses of these RCTs have demonstrated improved hard outcomes in those who use CPAP adequately.

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The American Heart Association considers sleep health an essential component of cardiovascular health, and sleep is generally a time of cardiovascular quiescence, such that any deviation from normal sleep may be associated with adverse cardiovascular consequences. Many studies have shown that both impaired quantity and quality of sleep, particularly with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) and comorbid sleep disorders, are associated with incident cardiometabolic consequences. OSA is associated with repetitive episodes of altered blood gases, arousals, large negative swings in intrathoracic pressures, and increased sympathetic activity.

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Introduction: Sleep has important effects on breathing and gas exchange that may have negative consequences in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). COPD and obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) are highly prevalent and may coexist, which is referred to as the overlap syndrome.

Areas Covered: The probability of OSA-COPD overlap represents the balance of protective and promoting factors such as hyperinflation and fluid retention; thus, different clinical COPD phenotypes influence the likelihood of comorbid OSA.

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Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) have important bidirectional relationships that influence the pathophysiology of each disorder. The slim hyperinflated "pink puffer" phenotype of COPD protects against OSA, whereas the heavier "blue bloater" phenotype predisposes to OSA by fluid retention. OSA may aggravate COPD by promoting airway inflammation.

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New sleep technologies are being developed, refined and delivered at a fast pace. However, there are serious concerns about the validation and accuracy of new sleep-related technologies being made available, as many of them, especially consumer-sleep technologies, have not been tested in comparison with gold-standard methods or have been approved by health regulatory agencies. The importance of proper validation and performance evaluation of new sleep technologies has already been discussed in previous studies and some recommendations have already been published, but most of them do not employ standardized methodology and are not able to cover all aspects of new sleep technologies.

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Introduction: Sleep-disordered breathing (SDB), especially obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), is commonly associated with respiratory diseases, such as COPD, asthma and interstitial lung disease.

Areas Covered: This narrative review aims to comprehensively synthesize the existing information on SDB in respiratory diseases, investigate the role of gender in this association, and highlight the importance of OSA management in improving sleep, quality of life, and disease prognosis in these specific patient populations.

Expert Opinion: Research indicates a synergistic link between OSA and chronic respiratory diseases, which leads to greater morbidity and mortality compared to each disorder alone.

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Sleep-disordered breathing, ranging from habitual snoring to severe obstructive sleep apnea, is a prevalent public health issue. Despite rising interest in sleep and awareness of sleep disorders, sleep research and diagnostic practices still rely on outdated metrics and laborious methods reducing the diagnostic capacity and preventing timely diagnosis and treatment. Consequently, a significant portion of individuals affected by sleep-disordered breathing remain undiagnosed or are misdiagnosed.

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Advances in signal technology facilitate the ambulatory diagnosis of obstructive sleep apnea and represent an important development in the management of this highly prevalent disorder. The recent report of Traverso and co-authors describes a novel diagnostic approach by an ingestible vital-monitoring pill that is capable of detecting sleep apnea.

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Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is a common disease associated with a high prevalence of costly comorbidities and accidents that add to the disease's economic impact. Although more attention has been focused on OSA in recent years, no previous systematic reviews have synthesized findings from existing studies that provide estimates of the economic cost of OSA. This study aims to summarize the findings of existing studies that provide estimates of the cost of OSA.

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Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA) arises due to periodic blockage of the upper airway (UA) during sleep, as negative pressure generated during inspiration overcomes the force exerted by the UA dilator muscles to maintain patency. This imbalance is primarily seen in individuals with a narrowed UA, attributable to factors such as inherent craniofacial anatomy, neck fat accumulation, and rostral fluid shifts in the supine posture. Sleep-induced attenuation of UA dilating muscle responsiveness, respiratory instability, and high loop gain further exacerbate UA obstruction.

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Article Synopsis
  • The study investigates the effects of obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA) overlapping with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), known as OVS, on sleep quality and cardiovascular health.
  • Researchers compared clinical data of patients with OVS to those with only OSA, finding that OVS patients had worse sleep quality and higher rates of heart disease.
  • Results showed OVS leads to more severe nocturnal hypoxia and poorer sleep efficiency, significantly increasing the risk for conditions like hypertension and heart failure.
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There are concerns about the validation and accuracy of currently available consumer sleep technology for sleep-disordered breathing. The present report provides a background review of existing consumer sleep technologies and discloses the methods and procedures for a systematic review and meta-analysis of diagnostic test accuracy of these devices and apps for the detection of obstructive sleep apnea and snoring in comparison with polysomnography. The search will be performed in four databases (PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, and the Cochrane Library).

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Objective: Blood bicarbonate concentration plays an important role for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) patients to maintain acid-base balance. We investigated the association between arterial standard bicarbonate ([HCO3]) and nocturnal hypoxia as well as comorbid hypertension in OSA.

Methods: A cross-sectional analysis of 3329 patients in the European Sleep Apnea Database (ESADA) was performed.

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Obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA) is characterized by recurring episodes of upper airway obstruction during sleep and the fundamental abnormality reflects the inability of the upper airway dilating muscles to withstand the negative forces generated within the upper airway during inspiration. Factors that result in narrowing of the oropharynx such as abnormal craniofacial anatomy, soft tissue accumulation in the neck, and rostral fluid shift in the recumbent position increase the collapsing forces within the airway. The counteracting forces of upper airway dilating muscles, especially the genioglossus, are negatively influenced by sleep onset, inadequacy of the genioglossus responsiveness, ventilatory instability, especially post arousal, and loop gain.

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Purpose Of Review: The chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and obstructive sleep apnoea overlap syndrome is associated with higher morbidity and mortality rates than either disease alone. There is evidence of a bidirectional relationship between the two conditions, with the overlap syndrome encompassing a spectrum of clinical phenotypes.

Recent Findings: This review examines the evidence for the various factors that determine the overlap syndrome, the impact overlap syndrome has on co-morbidities, and implications for diagnosis and treatment.

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Obstructive sleep apnea is linked to severe health consequences such as hypertension, daytime sleepiness, and cardiovascular disease. Nearly a billion people are estimated to have obstructive sleep apnea with a substantial economic burden. However, the current diagnostic parameter of obstructive sleep apnea, the apnea-hypopnea index, correlates poorly with related comorbidities and symptoms.

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Objective: In 2010, a questionnaire-based study on obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) management in Europe identified differences regarding reimbursement, sleep specialist qualification, and titration procedures. Now, 10 years later, a follow-up study was conducted as part of the ESADA (European Sleep Apnea Database) network to explore the development of OSA management over time.

Methods: The 2010 questionnaire including questions on sleep diagnostic, reimbursement, treatment, and certification was updated with questions on telemedicine and distributed to European Sleep Centers to reflect European OSA management practice.

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Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is characterised by recurring episodes of upper airway obstruction during sleep and the fundamental abnormality reflects the inability of the upper airway dilating muscles to withstand the negative forces generated within the upper airway during inspiration. Factors that result in narrowing of the oropharynx such as abnormal craniofacial anatomy, soft tissue accumulation in the neck, and rostral fluid shift in the recumbent position increase the collapsing forces within the airway. The counteracting forces of upper airway dilating muscles, especially the genioglossus, are negatively influenced by sleep onset, inadequacy of the genioglossus responsiveness, ventilatory instability, especially post arousal, and loop gain.

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