Current Management of Residual Excessive Daytime Sleepiness Due to Obstructive Sleep Apnea: Insights for Optimizing Patient Outcomes

Guidelines for the assessment and management of residual sleepiness in obstructive apnea-hypopnea syndrome: Endorsed by the French Sleep Research and Medicine Society (SFRMS) and the French Speaking Society of Respiratory Diseases (SPLF)

Excessive daytime sleepiness (EDS) is frequent among patients with obstructive sleep apnea hypopnea syndrome (OSAHS) and can persist despite the optimal correction of respiratory events (apnea, hypopnea and respiratory efforts), using continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) or mandibular advancement device. Symptoms like apathy and fatigue may be mistaken for EDS. In addition, EDS has multi-factorial origin, which makes its evaluation complex. The marketing authorization [Autorisation de Mise sur le Marché (AMM)] for two wake-promoting agents (solriamfetol and pitolisant) raises several practical issues for clinicians. This consensus paper presents recommendations of good clinical practice to identify and evaluate EDS in this context, and to manage and follow-up the patients. It was conducted under the mandate of the French Societies for sleep medicine and for pneumology [Société Française de Recherche et de Médecine du Sommeil (SFRMS) and Société de Pneumologie de Langue Française (SPLF)]. A management algorithm is suggested, as well as a list of conditions during which the patient should be referred to a sleep center or a sleep specialist. The benefit/risk balance of a wake-promoting drug in residual EDS in OSAHS patients must be regularly reevaluated, especially in elderly patients with increased cardiovascular and psychiatric disorders risks. This consensus is based on the scientific knowledge at the time of the publication and may be revised according to their evolution.

Long-Term Efficacy and Safety of Pitolisant for Residual Sleepiness Due to OSA

BACKGROUND

In people with OSA, excessive daytime sleepiness is a prominent symptom and can persist despite adherence to CPAP, the first-line therapy for OSA. Pitolisant was effective in reducing daytime sleepiness in two 12-week randomized controlled trials (RCTs), one in patients adherent to CPAP (BF2.649 in Patients With OSA and Treated by CPAP But Still Complaining of EDS [HAROSA 1]) and the other in patients refusing or not tolerating CPAP (BF2.649 in Patients With OSA, Still Complaining of EDS and Refusing to be Treated by CPAP [HAROSA 2]).

RESEARCH QUESTION

Does the efficacy and safety of pitolisant persist when these patients take it long-term?

STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS

All adults included in the HAROSA 1 and HAROSA 2 RCTs (both pitolisant and placebo arms) were offered pitolisant (up to 20 mg/d) after completion of the short-term double-anonymized phase (ie, from week 13) in an open-label cohort study. The primary efficacy outcome was the change in Epworth Sleepiness Scale score between baseline and week 52. Safety outcomes were treatment-emergent adverse event(s) (TEAE[s]), serious TEAEs, and special interest TEAEs.

RESULTS

Out of 512 adults included in the two RCTs, 376 completed the 1-year follow-up. The pooled mean difference in Epworth Sleepiness Scale score from baseline to 1 year for the intention-to-treat sample was -8.0 (95% CI, -8.3 to -7.5). The overall proportions of TEAEs, serious TEAEs, and TEAEs of special interest were 35.1%, 2.0%, and 11.1%, respectively, without any significant difference between patients in the initial pitolisant and placebo arms. No cardiovascular safety issues were reported.

INTERPRETATION

Pitolisant is effective in reducing daytime sleepiness over 1 year in adults with OSA, with or without CPAP treatment. Taken for 1 year, it has a good safety profile (including cardiovascular).

TRIAL REGISTRATION

ClinicalTrials.gov; Nos.: NCT01071876 and NCT01072968; URL: www.

CLINICALTRIALS

gov.

Obstructive Sleep Apnea - Influence on the Cardiovascular System and Cognition

Kardiovaskuläre und kognitive Erkrankungen sind ebenso wie die obstruktive Schlafapnoe sehr häufige Krankheiten mit einer erheblichen Beeinträchtigung der Lebensqualität und einer deutlichen sozioökonomischen Bedeutung. Die Auswirkungen einer unbehandelten obstruktiven Schlafapnoe (OSA) auf das kardiovaskuläre und kognitive Erkrankungsrisiko und die Therapieeffekte einer OSA sind für die meisten kardiovaskulären und kognitiven Folgeerkrankungen wissenschaftlich nachgewiesen. Für die klinische Praxis besteht ein deutlicher Bedarf nach mehr Interdisziplinarität. Aus schlafmedizinischer Sicht müssen bei der Therapieindikation das individuelle kardiovaskuläre und kognitive Risiko berücksichtigt und kognitive Erkrankungen bei der Beurteilung der Therapieintoleranz und residuellen Symptomatik beachtet werden. Aus internistischer Sicht sollte bei Patienten mit schlecht einstellbarem Hypertonus, Vorhofflimmern, koronarer Herzkrankheit und Schlaganfall die Abklärung einer OSA in die Diagnostik integriert werden. Bei Patienten mit milder kognitiver Beeinträchtigung, Alzheimer-Krankheit und Depression können sich die typischen Symptome wie Fatigue, Tagesmüdigkeit und Reduktion der kognitiven Leistungen mit OSA-Symptomen überschneiden. Die Diagnostik einer OSA sollte in die Abklärung dieser Krankheitsbilder integriert werden, da eine Therapie der OSA die kognitiven Beeinträchtigungen reduzieren und die Lebensqualität verbessern kann.

Association between poor sleep quality and an increased risk of dry eye disease in patients with obstructive sleep apnea syndrome

Purpose

Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is related to an increased incidence of dry eye disease (DED). However, their exact relationship is unknown and requires further well-designed studies with advanced mechanisms detection.

Patients and methods

This case–control study included 125 OSA cases and 125 age–gender-matched controls enrolled in the hospital between 1 January and 1 October 2021. OSA diagnosis and classification were performed using a polysomnography (PSG) assay. Detailed ophthalmological examinations, including the Schirmer I test, corneal staining, and ocular surface disease index (OSDI), were used to detect DED-related parameters. A comprehensive ocular surface assay was performed to measure a series of parameters, including first non-invasive first tear film break-up time (f-NIBUT), average non-invasive first tear film break-up time (av-NIBUT), tear meniscus height (TMH), and loss of meibomian gland. In addition, the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) scale was used to assess sleep quality.

Results

Compared to the control, the OSA group showed an increased DED risk (P = 0.016) along with an increased PSQI score and a higher rate of poor quality sleep (P < 0.001 and P = 0.007, respectively). Stratification of OSA cases indicated that DED-related parameters were impaired in patients with severe OSA (P < 0.05). The analysis of DED-parameters-related factors showed significant correlations between OSA-related indexes and PSQI (P < 0.05). Moreover, the poor sleep quality group in the OSA cases showed worse DED-related parameters (P < 0.05), which was not observed in the control group.

Conclusion

OSA, especially the severe stage OSA, was related to an increased risk of DED. Also, sleep quality was correlated with the onset of both OSA and DED, where poor sleep quality revealed a relationship between OSA and the risk of DED. Overall, our findings provided evidence for advanced management of DED and OSA in future.

Konsensus-Statement der Österreichischen Gesellschaft für Schlafmedizin (ÖGSM/ASRA) zum Management der residualen exzessiven Tagesschläfrigkeit (rETS) bei obstruktiver Schlafapnoe

Hintergrund

Sechs bis zehn Prozent aller Patienten mit einer obstruktiven Schlafapnoe leiden trotz adäquater nächtlicher Überdrucktherapie oder einer effektiven Alternativtherapie an einer residualen exzessiven Tagesschläfrigkeit (rETS). Die Differentialdiagnose der rETS stellt im klinischen Alltag eine interdisziplinäre Herausforderung dar.

Fragestellung

Entwicklung eines übersichtlichen Leitfadens für die Erkennung, die differentialdiagnostischen Abwägungen und die Möglichkeiten der weiterführenden Behandlung der rETS in der klinischen Praxis.

Material und Methode

MeSH-Analyse basierte Recherche und interdisziplinäre Abstimmung von Fachvertreter:innen der Inneren Medizin und Pneumologie, Neurologie sowie Psychiatrie und Psychotherapie.

Ergebnisse

SPAIN-Checkliste zur systematischen differentialdiagnostischen Exploration der rETS mit den Parametern: S chlafverhalten, P sychische Ursachen, A namnese der Medikation, I nternistische Ursachen und N eurologische Ursachen.

Schlussfolgerungen

Die rETS sollte als behandlungswürdiges Symptom erkannt werden. Sie verlangt nach einer interdisziplinären Abklärung und der individuellen Abstimmung der Behandlung auf die Bedürfnisse der Betroffenen.