Sleep disordered breathing, insomnia symptoms, and sleep quality in a clinical cohort of U.S. Hispanics in south Florida

Patient-level factors associated with the self-report of trouble sleeping to healthcare providers in adults at high risk for obstructive sleep apnea

INTRODUCTION

In adults at risk for obstructive sleep apnea, it is unclear what patient-level factors and symptoms may influence communication with healthcare providers regarding sleep difficulties. This analysis examined associations between sociodemographic characteristics, comorbidities, and obstructive sleep apnea-related symptoms and whether adults at high risk for obstructive sleep apnea reported trouble sleeping to an healthcare provider.

METHODS

The sample included participants from the 2015-2018 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey determined by a modified STOP-Bang to be at high risk for obstructive sleep apnea (n = 2009). Participants were asked if they had ever reported trouble sleeping to an healthcare provider. Self-reported comorbidities and obstructive sleep apnea-related symptoms (ie, snoring, snorting, gasping, or breathing cessation during sleep, daytime sleepiness, fatigue, insomnia, and nocturia) were assessed.

RESULTS

Half of the sample (50.8%) never reported trouble sleeping to an healthcare provider. Factors associated with an increased likelihood of reporting trouble sleeping included female sex, former smoker, and prediabetes or diabetes, obstructive lung disease, daytime sleepiness, insomnia, nocturia, and symptoms of snorting, gasping, and/or breathing cessation during sleep. Factors associated with a decreased likelihood of reporting trouble sleeping included Mexican American background or Asian race and having less than a high school education.

CONCLUSION

Differences in sex, race, education, comorbidities, and obstructive sleep apnea-related symptoms exist between adults at high risk for obstructive sleep apnea who have and have not reported trouble sleeping to an healthcare provider. It is important for healthcare providers to ask all adults about sleep problems, recognizing that men, minorities, and persons with lower educational attainment may be less likely to report trouble sleeping.

Atherosclerotic plaque in individuals without known cardiovascular disease but with established obstructive sleep apnea and at high risk of obstructive sleep apnea

Objectives

In a large U.S. cohort free of CVD evaluated by coronary computed CT angiography, we aimed to assess the association between established / high risk of Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA) and coronary plaque.

Background

There are limited data available depicting the association between established / high risk of OSA and the presence of coronary plaque in a population-based sample free from CVD.

Methods

Cross-sectional data from 2359 participants enrolled in the Miami Heart Study (MiHeart) who underwent coronary CT angiography was used for this study. The Berlin questionnaire was used to stratify patients as having high or low risk of OSA. Multiple multivariable logistic regression analyses were conducted to investigate the association between the risk of developing OSA with the presence, volume, and composition of plaque.

Results

According to the Berlin questionnaire, 1559 participants were (66.1%) at low risk of OSA and 800 patients (33.9%) with established / high risk of OSA. Plaque characterization on CCTA revealed a greater incidence of any possible plaque composition in the established / high risk of OSA category (59.6% vs. 43.5%) compared to the low risk of OSA cohort. In logistic regression models, after adjusting for demographics and cardiovascular risk factors, a significant association could still be noted between established / high risk of OSA and any coronary plaque on CCTA (OR=1.31, CI 1.05, 1.63, p = 0.016). Subgroup analysis in the Hispanic population also portrayed a significant association between established / high risk of OSA and the presence of coronary plaque on CCTA (OR = 1.55 CI 1.13, 2.12, p = 0.007).

Conclusion

After accounting for CVD risk factors, individuals at established / high risk of OSA have a higher likelihood of the presence of coronary plaque. Future studies should focus on OSA presence or risk, OSA severity, and the longitudinal consequences of coronary atherosclerosis.

Systematic review: sleep health in the US Latinx population

Sleep disturbances are a common and unmet health problem in Latinx. While Latinx report similar sleep disturbances as non-Hispanic Whites [NHW], Latinx suffer from these disturbances to a greater degree than their NHW counterparts. Sleep disturbances are associated with increased risk of chronic health conditions, which Latinx experience at high rates. Research also points to significant sleep differences within Latinx. Given that Latinx are a rapidly growing population in the United States, sleep disparities between Latinx and NHWs and sleep differences within Latinx warrant further investigation. While research on Latinx sleep is growing, the last narrative review on US Latinx sleep health was published by Loredo and colleagues in 2010. Our narrative review expands on Loredo et al.'s work, adding the literature on Latinx sleep published since 2010 (N = 70). A total of 78 peer-reviewed articles related to young to middle-aged (i.e., 18-65 years) healthy Latinx adult sleep were identified in three databases-PsycInfo, PubMed/Medline, and Web of Science. With the socioecological model as framework, this review (1) summarizes current evidence pertaining to sleep health in healthy, community dwelling, urban Latinx adults; (2) discusses measurement challenges related to investigating Latinx sleep disparities and differences; and (3) discusses potential contributors to Latinx sleep. The prevalence of short sleep duration, long sleep duration, and poor sleep quality is high among Latinx; there are differences by Latinx subgroup. Our review identifies several multi-level influences associated with poor sleep: SES, sexual minority status, racial discrimination, access to care, neighborhood environment, and shift work. N = 250/250.

Effect of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Insomnia on Insomnia Symptoms for Individuals With Type 2 Diabetes: Protocol for a Pilot Randomized Controlled Trial

Background

Insomnia symptoms are a common form of sleep difficulty among people with type 2 diabetes (T2D) affecting sleep quality and health outcomes. Several interventional approaches have been used to improve sleep outcomes in people with T2D. Nonpharmacological approaches, such as cognitive behavioral therapy for insomnia (CBT-I), show promising results regarding safety and sustainability of improvements, although CBT-I has not been examined in people with T2D. Promoting sleep for people with insomnia and T2D could improve insomnia severity and diabetes outcomes.

Objective

The objective of this study is to establish a protocol for a pilot randomized controlled trial (RCT) to examine the effect of 6 sessions of CBT-I on insomnia severity (primary outcome), sleep variability, and other health-related outcomes in individuals with T2D and insomnia symptoms.

Methods

This RCT will use random mixed block size randomization with stratification to assign 28 participants with T2D and insomnia symptoms to either a CBT-I group or a health education group. Outcomes including insomnia severity; sleep variability; diabetes self-care behavior (DSCB); glycemic control (A_1c); glucose level; sleep quality; daytime sleepiness; and symptoms of depression, anxiety, and pain will be gathered before and after the 6-week intervention. Chi-square and independent t tests will be used to test for between-group differences at baseline. Independent t tests will be used to examine the effect of the CBT-I intervention on change score means for insomnia severity, sleep variability, DSCB, A_1c, fatigue, sleep quality, daytime sleepiness, and severity of depression, anxiety, and pain. For all analyses, alpha level will be set at .05.

Results

This study recruitment began in February 2019 and was completed in September 2019.

Conclusions

The intervention, including 6 sessions of CBT-I, will provide insight about its effect in improving insomnia symptoms, sleep variability, fatigue, and diabetes-related health outcomes in people with T2D and those with insomnia symptoms when compared with control.

Trial Registration

ClinicalTrials.gov NCT03713996; https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT03713996

International Registered Report Identifier (IRRID)

DERR1-10.2196/14647

Comorbid insomnia symptoms predict lower 6-month adherence to CPAP in US veterans with obstructive sleep apnea

PURPOSE

There is limited information on the association between pre-treatment insomnia symptoms and dysfunctional sleep beliefs with continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) adherence in veterans with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). Our aims were to describe demographic and sleep characteristics of veterans with and without comorbid insomnia and determine whether pre-treatment insomnia symptoms and dysfunctional sleep beliefs predict CPAP use after 6 months of therapy.

METHODS

Hispanic veterans attending the Miami VA sleep clinic were recruited and completed the insomnia severity index, the dysfunctional sleep belief and attitude scale (DBAS), and other questionnaires. Participants were asked to return after 7 days and 1 and 6 months to repeat questionnaires and for objective CPAP adherence download. Hierarchical regression models were performed to determine adjusted associations of pre-treatment insomnia symptoms and DBAS sub-scores on 6-month mean daily CPAP use.

RESULTS

Fifty-three participants completed the 6-month follow-up visit with a mean CPAP use of 3.4 ± 1.9 h. Veterans with comorbid insomnia had lower mean daily CPAP use (168 ± 125 vs 237 ± 108 min, p = 0.04) and lower percent daily CPAP use ≥ 4 h (32 ± 32 vs 51 ± 32%, p = 0.05) compared to participants without insomnia. In adjusted analyses, pre-treatment insomnia symptoms (early, late, and aggregated nocturnal symptoms) and sleep dissatisfaction were predictive of lower CPAP use at 6 months. Pre-treatment dysfunctional sleep beliefs were not associated with CPAP adherence.

CONCLUSIONS

Pre-treatment nocturnal insomnia symptoms and sleep dissatisfaction predicted poorer 6- month CPAP use. Insomnia treatment preceding or concurrent with CPAP initiation may eliminate a barrier to regular use.

Occupational Health and Sleep Issues in Underserved Populations

Sleep disorders and occupational hazards, injuries, and illnesses impact an individual's overall health. In the United States, substantial racial, ethnic, and socioeconomic disparities exist in sleep and occupational health. Primary care physicians working in underserved communities should be aware of this disparity and target these higher-risk populations for focused evaluation and intervention.

Excessive Daytime Sleepiness as an Indicator of Depression in Hispanic Americans

INTRODUCTION

Excessive daytime sleepiness (EDS) has been shown to be associated with depression; however, this relationship has not been confirmed among Hispanic Americans.

METHOD

This study examined the link between EDS and depression among Hispanic Americans (N = 411) and explored the potential moderating roles of age, gender, income, education, health status, and acculturation. The Epworth Sleepiness Scale and Patient Health Questionnaire-9 measured EDS and depression, respectively.

RESULTS

Hierarchical linear regression demonstrated that EDS was significantly related to depression. Receiver operating characteristic curve analysis suggested that the Epworth Sleepiness Scale discriminated with adequate sensitivity and specificity between participants with moderately severe depression and those with less severe symptoms. No sociodemographic variables moderated the EDS-depression relationship.

CONCLUSION

These findings suggest that depression should be considered when Hispanic Americans present with EDS.

Sleep Quality Among Latino Farmworkers in North Carolina: Examination of the Job Control-Demand-Support Model

Sleep problems are associated with physical and mental health disorders and place individuals at an increased risk of workplace injuries. The demand-control-support model posits that job demands and the capacity to control work processes influence workers' level of distress, thereby affecting their physical and mental health; supervisor support can buffer the negative effect of high demands and low control. Data on the sleep quality and the organization of work of Latino men were collected in agricultural areas in North Carolina in 2012. 147 Mexican-born farmworkers ages 30 and older, most of whom had H-2A visas, provided information about sleep quality and organization of work. Most (83 %) farmworkers reported good sleep quality. The association between working more than 40 h per week and reporting poor sleep quality approached statistical significance. Additional research is needed to understand whether job demands, job control, and social support affect farmworkers' sleep quality.

Effect of age and gender in the prevalence of excessive daytime sleepiness among a sample of the Saudi population

The aim of this study is to assess whether the effect of gender on the excessive daytime sleepiness (EDS) is influenced by two confounders (age and hours of sleep per night). A cross-sectional study was conducted at King Abdulaziz Medical City-Riyadh (KAMC-R). A total of 2095 respondents answered a questionnaire that included questions regarding gender, age, hours of sleep per night, and daytime sleepiness using the Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS). The prevalence of EDS was 20.5% (females 22.2%, males 19.5%, p-value = 0.136). The EDS did not differ between genders, age groups, or hours of sleep per night (<6 vs. ⩾6 h). However, stratified statistical analysis shows that the prevalence of EDS did differ according to gender (25.3% in females, 19.0% in males, p-value = 0.036) in respondents with shorter hours of sleep per night. EDS was strongly related to female gender and young age (ages ⩽ 29 years) in respondents with short hours of sleep. This study reveals that one out of five of the general Saudi population has EDS. The effect of gender on EDS appeared to be influenced by hours of sleep per night. High EDS strongly related to female gender with short hours of sleep.

Does race-ethnicity moderate the relationship between CPAP adherence and functional outcomes of sleep in US veterans with obstructive sleep apnea syndrome?

BACKGROUND

Little is known about the association of race-ethnicity and the relationship of continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) adherence with functional outcomes of sleep in American samples with obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS). This retrospective study examines whether race-ethnicity moderates the relationship between CPAP adherence and functional outcomes of sleep in OSAS.

METHODS

Over 4 months, consecutive OSAS patients had CPAP data downloads and completed questionnaires (demographics, Functional Outcomes of Sleep Questionnaire [FOSQ], Epworth Sleepiness Scale [ESS], Insomnia Severity Index [ISI]) at the Miami VA sleep center. Medical diagnoses and polysomnography data were obtained from medical record. CPAP adherence was measured as mean daily hours of use. Hierarchical regression modeling was used to explore the differential impact of race-ethnicity and CPAP adherence on functional outcomes of sleep.

RESULTS

Two hundred twenty-seven veterans (93% male, age 59 ± 11 years) were included; 142 (63%) participants self-reported as white or Hispanic, and 85 participants (37%) as black. Hierarchical regression analyses failed to show main effects for race-ethnicity or CPAP use and FOSQ scores; however, the interaction of race-ethnicity with CPAP adherence was significantly associated with the total FOSQ (p = 0.04), Social (p = 0.02), and Intimacy (p = 0.01) subscale scores. For blacks, in adjusted analyses, CPAP adherence was positively associated with Social and Intimacy FOSQ subscales; however, no significant relationship was noted between CPAP use and FOSQ scores in whites/Hispanics.

CONCLUSIONS

Race-ethnicity may moderate the relationship between CPAP adherence and some functional outcomes of sleep; however, further studies are needed.

Sleep-disordered breathing in Hispanic/Latino individuals of diverse backgrounds. The Hispanic Community Health Study/Study of Latinos

RATIONALE

Hispanic/Latino populations have a high prevalence of cardiovascular risk factors and may be at risk for sleep-disordered breathing (SDB). An understanding of SDB among these populations is needed given evidence that SDB increases cardiovascular risk.

OBJECTIVES

To quantify SDB prevalence in the U.S. Hispanic/Latino population and its association with symptoms, risk factors, diabetes, and hypertension; and to explore variation by sex and Hispanic/Latino background.

METHODS

Cross-sectional analysis from the baseline examination of the Hispanic Community Health Study/Study of Latinos.

MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS

The apnea-hypopnea index (AHI) was derived from standardized sleep tests; diabetes and hypertension were based on measurement and history. The sample of 14,440 individuals had an age-adjusted prevalence of minimal SDB (AHI ≥ 5), moderate SDB (AHI ≥ 15), and severe SDB (AHI ≥ 30) of 25.8, 9.8, and 3.9%, respectively. Only 1.3% of participants reported a sleep apnea diagnosis. Moderate SDB was associated with being male (adjusted odds ratio, 2.7; 95% confidence interval, 2.3-3.1), obese (16.8; 11.6-24.4), and older. SDB was associated with an increased adjusted odds of impaired glucose tolerance (1.7; 1.3-2.1), diabetes (2.3; 1.8-2.9), and hypertension. The association with hypertension varied across background groups with the strongest associations among individuals of Puerto Rican and Central American background.

CONCLUSIONS

SDB is prevalent in U.S. Latinos but rarely associated with a clinical diagnosis. Associations with diabetes and hypertension suggest a large burden of disease may be attributed to untreated SDB, supporting the development and evaluation of culturally relevant detection and treatment approaches.

The association of age, insomnia, and self-efficacy with continuous positive airway pressure adherence in black, white, and Hispanic U.S. Veterans

STUDY OBJECTIVES

Studies of continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) adherence in multi-ethnic samples are lacking. This study explores previously described factors associated with therapeutic CPAP use in South Florida veterans with obstructive sleep apnea-hypopnea syndrome (OSAHS).

METHODS

We performed a retrospective, cross-sectional analysis of CPAP adherence comparing white, black, and Hispanic veterans returning to the Miami VA sleep clinic over a 4-month period. Participants had CPAP use download and completed questionnaires on demographics, sleepiness, insomnia, and social cognitive measures related to adherence. Linear regression modeling was used to explore the impact of measured variables and potential interactions with race-ethnicity on mean daily CPAP use.

RESULTS

Participants (N = 248) were 94% male with mean age of 59 ± 11 years and included 95 blacks (38%), 91 whites (37%), and 62 Hispanic (25%) veterans. Blacks had less mean daily CPAP use than whites (-1.6 h, p < 0.001) and Hispanics (-1.3 h, p < 0.01). Blacks reported worse sleep onset insomnia symptoms compared to whites. In the final multivariable regression model, black race-ethnicity (p < 0.01), insomnia symptoms (p < 0.001), and self-efficacy (p < 0.001) were significantly associated with mean daily CPAP use. In addition, the black race by age interaction term showed a trend towards significance (p = 0.10).

CONCLUSIONS

In agreement with recent studies, we found that mean daily CPAP use in blacks was 1 hour less than whites after adjusting for covariates. No CPAP adherence differences were noted between whites and Hispanics. Further investigations exploring sociocultural barriers to regular CPAP use in minority individuals with OSAHS are needed.

Vascular Dementia

The purpose of this review is to highlight existing literature on the epidemiology, pathophysiology, and novel risk factors for vascular dementia. We further examine the evidence linking chronic brain hypoperfusion induced by a variety of cardiovascular diseases to the development of vascular dementia. In the elderly, in whom cerebral perfusion is diminished by the aging process, additional reduction in cerebral blood flow stemming from exposure to potentially modifiable vascular risk factors increases the probability of developing vascular dementia. Finally, we discuss the association between obstructive sleep apnea, an underrecognized risk factor for stroke, and vascular dementia. Obstructive sleep apnea is linked to cerebrovascular disease through many intermediary vascular risk factors and may directly cause cerebrovascular damage through microvacular disease. Insight into how cardiovascular risk factors induce vascular dementia offers an enhanced understanding of the multifactorial pathophysiology by this disorder and ways of preventing and managing the cerebrovascular precursors of vascular dementia. Many vital questions about the relation of obstructive sleep apnea with stroke and vascular dementia are still unanswered and await future well-designed studies.

Race/ethnic differences in obstructive sleep apnea risk in patients with acute ischemic strokes in south Florida

PURPOSE

Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is a risk factor for ischemic stroke, but it may differ between race/ethnic groups. The goal of our study was to examine the pre-stroke risk of OSA between three race/ethnic groups admitted for acute ischemic stroke in a tertiary urban hospital in South Florida.

METHODS

Our sample was composed of patients with acute ischemic strokes evaluated at a teaching hospital over a 3-year period. Race/ethnicity was defined by self-identification, modeled after the US census and categorized into non-Hispanic whites, non-Hispanic blacks, and Hispanics. Pre-stroke risk of OSA was assessed with the Berlin questionnaire and categorized into high- or low-risk categories. We performed binary logistic regression to evaluate the pre-stroke risk of OSA in Hispanics and non-Hispanic blacks with non-Hispanic whites as the reference, adjusting for age, body mass index, hypertension, diabetes, and smoking.

RESULTS

There were 176 patients with acute ischemic strokes of which 44 % were Hispanics, 44 % non-Hispanic Blacks, and 12 % non-Hispanic whites. A higher frequency of patients at high risk for OSA was seen in 60 % of Hispanics, 54 % of non-Hispanic blacks, and 33 % of non-Hispanic whites. Hispanics (OR, 2.6; 95 % CI 1.1-6.4) had a higher frequency of patients at high risk for OSA compared to non-Hispanic whites, adjusting for covariates. There were no differences between non-Hispanic blacks (OR, 1.2; 0.5-2.9 and non-Hispanic whites.

DISCUSSION

We observed higher frequency of patients at high risk for OSA in Hispanics with acute ischemic strokes in South Florida.