Effect of Two Interventional Strategies on Improving Continuous Positive Airway Pressure Adherence in Existing COPD and Obstructive Sleep Apnea Patients: The O2VERLAP Study

Co-existence of OSA and respiratory diseases and the influence of gender

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. Given the lack of an optimal OSA screening tool for these patients, a comprehensive patient approach and overnight diagnostic sleep study are imperative. Despite the limited evidence available, it seems that gender has an impact on the prevalence, severity, and susceptibility of this coexistence. Recognizing the role of gender in the coexistence of OSA and other respiratory diseases can enhance everyday medical practice and enable clinicians to adopt a more personalized approach toward optimal screening and diagnosis of these patients.

The Impact of Lung Function Parameters on Sleep Among Aboriginal Australians - A Polysomnography and Spirometry Relationship Study

Background

Sleep disorders such as obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA) are known to overlap significantly with airway diseases in various populations. This study assessed the relationship between lung function parameters against polysomnography (PSG) and continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) adherence data amongst an Aboriginal Australian population.

Methods

Patients who undertook both a diagnostic PSG and spirometry were included. Restrictive, obstructive, and mixed impairments were assessed via global lung function initiative (GLI-2012, ATS/ERS) criteria/guidelines. PSG and CPAP data were evaluated between patients with or without spirometry impairments.

Results

Of the total 771 patients, 248 had PSG and spirometry data available (52% female, 44% remote residents, 78% obese). The majority (89%) had OSA (51% severe), 95 (38%) were observed to have a restrictive impairment, and 31 (13%) had an obstructive or mixed impairment on spirometry. Compared to patients with no spirometric impairment, those with restrictive or obstructive/mixed impairments demonstrated significantly lower sleep efficiency (median 84% vs 79% and 78%), higher apnoea-hypopnea index (AHI) during rapid eye movement (REM) sleep (median 32 vs 52 and 55 events/hour), reduced REM oxygen saturation (SpO₂) (median 94.0% vs 92.0% and 92.5%) and reduced adherence to CPAP therapy (median 39% vs 22% and 17%). Differences in sleep efficiency, REM AHI, and NREM SpO₂ held for patients with obstructive/mixed impairments in multivariate modelling.

Conclusion

Aboriginal Australian patients with OSA have a higher concurrent lung function' impairment. Spirometric impairment appears to negatively influence sleep efficiency, nocturnal SpO₂ and CPAP adherence. This may have substantial implications for OSA management among Aboriginal Australians.