Identifying and managing sleep disorders in primary care

Influencing factors of delay in seeking medical attention of patients with obstructive sleep apnea based on the Model of Pathways to Treatment in China: a qualitative analysis

BACKGROUND

There is the highest estimated number of patients with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) in China. Early treatment could lead to fewer complications associated with OSA. This study aimed to analyze the factors influencing help-seeking from the first symptom discovery to treatment in OSA.

METHODS

Semi-structured interview outline was designed to conduct face-to-face interview based on the analyses of a great number of related literatures on the delay in seeking medical attention of patients with OSA. 15 patients diagnosed were interviewed between June 2021 to September 2022 in general hospital of Shenyang, Northeastern of China. Qualitative data was analyzed by content analysis using the Model of Pathways to Treatment.

RESULTS

Analyses identified factors contributing to elapsed time from first symptom discovery to received treatment that are linked to disease characteristic, patients, health system organization. Appraisal interval is most obvious for patients with OSA, but it is difficult to pinpoint precisely because the patients didn't remember exactly when the first symptom was detected.

CONCLUSIONS

Patients diagnosed with OSA didn't initially interpret the snore as a warning sign and even thought it was a blessing. The findings provided guidance or avenues for reducing elapsed time between the first symptom and received treatment.

Case-based, asynchronous sleep education outcomes among primary care nurse practitioner students

STUDY OBJECTIVES

Primary care nurse practitioners (NPs) receive little sleep education in graduate programs but are often first-line providers for patients presenting with sleep-related symptoms. A pre-/postevaluation study was conducted using asynchronous, case-based sleep education modules in a cohort of primary care NP students enrolled in a single academic institution's nursing master's degree program.

METHODS

Six virtual, case-based modules addressed adult sleep health and disorders, prioritized based on prevalence and primary care presentation. Kirkpatrick Training Evaluation Model guided outcome selection. Descriptive and paired comparative analyses were conducted.

RESULTS

Participants were first-year NP students (n = 149; 88% female; 82% ≤ 35 years of age) in an adult primary care program that included psychiatric/mental health track. Participants reacted positively to course delivery methods and content. Insomnia was endorsed by 87% as most relevant to practice with healthy sleep (88%) and obstructive sleep apnea (50%) also frequently endorsed as practice relevant. Posttest knowledge scores significantly improved for all modules (P < .001). Self-rated confidence for future practice application was high.

CONCLUSIONS

This novel asynchronous, virtual curriculum met Kirkpatrick levels 1 and 2 (positive reaction and knowledge transfer) in NP students who predicted an impact on their practice (Kirkpatrick level 3). Studies are needed to assess the benefits of increasing primary care NP knowledge in sleep medicine on quality of care and access to care (Kirkpatrick level 4). Future use of this novel sleep curriculum in other professional curricula, new-to-sleep clinical researchers, and practicing primary care providers may further potentiate care quality and sleep care access.

CITATION

Sawyer AM, Saconi B, Lyons MM, et al. Case-based, asynchronous sleep education outcomes among primary care nurse practitioner students. J Clin Sleep Med. 2022;18(10):2367-2376.

Development and validation of a model for diagnosis of obstructive sleep apnoea in primary care

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE

Use of in-laboratory polysomnography (PSG) to diagnose obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA) is cost and resource intensive. Questionnaires, physical measurements and home monitors have been studied as potential simpler alternatives. This study aimed to develop a diagnostic model for OSA for use in primary care.

METHODS

Primary care practitioners were trained to recognize symptoms of sleep apnoea and recruited patients based on the clinical need to investigate OSA. Assessment was by symptom questionnaires, anthropomorphic measurements, digital facial photography, and a single-channel nasal flow monitor (Flow Wizard©, DiagnoseIT, Sydney, Australia) worn at home for 3 nights. The in-laboratory PSG was the reference test, with OSA defined as apnoea-hypopnoea index (AHI) ≥10 events/h.

RESULTS

In the model development phase, 25 primary care practitioners studied 315 patients in whom they suspected OSA, of which 57% had AHI≥10 and 22% had AHI≥30. Published OSA questionnaires provided low to moderate prediction of OSA (area under the curve [AUC] 0.53-0.73). The nasal flow monitor alone yielded high accuracy for predicting OSA with AUC of 0.87. Sensitivity was 0.87 and specificity 0.77 at a threshold respiratory event index (REI) of 18 events/h. A model adding age, gender, symptoms and BMI to the nasal flow monitor REI only modestly improved OSA prediction (AUC 0.89), with similar AUC (0.88) confirmed in the validation population of 114 patients.

CONCLUSION

Sleep apnoea can be diagnosed in the primary care setting with a combination of clinical judgement and portable monitor test outcomes.

Quality of sleep and associated factors among people living with HIV/AIDS attending ART clinic at Hawassa University comprehensive specialized Hospital, Hawassa, SNNPR, Ethiopia

BACKGROUND

Sleep is a natural, restorative, physiological process that is characterized by perceptual disengagement from and unresponsiveness to whatever going around, which is reversible. Sleep quality refers to a sense of being rested and refreshed after waking up from sleep. People living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA) are vulnerable to poor sleep quality as they suffer from social stigma and Anti-Retroviral drug side effects. The study aimed to examine the quality of sleep and its associated factors among people living with HIV/AIDS attending Anti-Retroviral Therapy (ART) clinic at Hawassa University comprehensive specialized hospital.

METHOD

Institutional based cross-sectional study was conducted among PLWHA attending ART clinic at Hawassa University comprehensive specialized hospital from May 1-30, 2019. A systematic random sampling technique was used to select an estimated 422 study participants and data was collected using interviewer-administered technique. Sleep Quality was assessed using the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI). Data were entered and analyzed using SPSS 22 software. Bivariable and multivariable logistic regression model was fitted to identify factors associated with quality of sleep. An adjusted odds ratio with a 95% confidence interval was computed to determine the level of significance with P-value less than 0.05.

RESULT

Out of 422 respondents, 389 participated in the study giving a response rate of 92.1%. The prevalence of poor quality of sleep among study participants was found to be 57.6% (95% CI: 54.72, 60.48). 31.9% (124) and 30.6% (119) of study participants had anxiety and depression respectively. Being between the age of 55-64 years (AOR = 5.7, 95% CI (1.9, 17.8), Age ≥ 65 (AOR:6.6, 95% CI (1.2, 36.9), Monthly income <1656 Ethiopian Birr (ETB) (AOR = 2.17, 95% CI (1.06, 4.4), having anxiety (AOR = 4.4, 95% CI (2.12, 9.2), having depression (AOR = 4.97, 95% CI (2.28, 10) and poor social support (AOR = 2.9, 95% CI (1.16, 7.3) were factors associated with poor quality of sleep.

CONCLUSION

The prevalence of poor quality of sleep among PLWHA was significantly high. Average monthly income, age, anxiety, depression, and social support were found to be significantly associated with poor sleep quality. Health care professionals working at the ART clinic need to assess the sleep pattern of ART clients, give psychoeducation on the prevention and management of sleep pattern problems.

The Burden of Sleep Problems: A Pilot Observational Study in an Ethnically Diverse Urban Primary Care Setting

INTRODUCTION

Sleep disorders affect up to 1 in 4 adults and can adversely affect a variety of health conditions. However, little is known about detection of sleep disorders in ethnically diverse urban primary care settings.

METHODS

Patients in urban primary care settings completed surveys to screen for sleep problems and identify comorbid conditions. Providers were given screening results, and provided feedback regarding their clinical utility.

RESULTS

Participants (n = 95) were predominantly women (76.8%) and black, non-Hispanic (46.3%), or Hispanic (38.9%). High proportion of participants screened positive for insomnia (31.6%) and screened high risk for sleep apnea (42.1%). Only one-third (32.6%) of participants reported sleeping the recommended 7 to 9 hours per night. The presence of chronic pain (χ(2) = 4.97, P = .03) was associated with clinically significant insomnia. Obesity was associated with fewer hours of sleep per night, t = 2.19(87), P = .03, and risk for sleep apnea (OR = 3.11, 95% CI = 1.28-7.50). Participants were interested in receiving help for sleep issues during their primary care visits (40%), and providers found the screening at least somewhat useful (74.4%).

DISCUSSION

Results highlight the potentially high unmet need for screening and treatment of sleep problems in ethnically diverse urban primary care settings.