Study findings contribute to understand the role of oximetry in the diagnosis of OSA in obese patients. Our results were observed using full PSG and a simplified home method. The correlation between these indicators could improve our clinical interpretation of OSA severity among obese patients when abbreviated tests are used.

STOP-BANG shows different discrimination power for AHI >5 and ≥30/h using RP. Five components in any combination have acceptable diagnostic S to identify patients with severe OSA. STOP-BANG performed best to identify AHI ≥30/h.

Background Iota-Carrageenan (I-C) is a sulfate polysaccharide synthesized by red algae, with demonstrated antiviral activity and clinical efficacy as nasal spray in the treatment of common cold. In vitro, I-C inhibits SARS-CoV-2 infection in cell culture. Research Question Can a nasal spray with Iota-Carrageenan be useful in the prophylaxis of COVID-19 in health care workers managing patients with COVID-19 disease? Study Design and Methods This is a pilot pragmatic multicenter, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study assessing the use of a nasal spray containing I-C in the prophylaxis of COVID-19 in hospital personnel dedicated to care of COVID-19 patients. Clinically healthy physicians, nurses, kinesiologists and other health care providers managing patients hospitalized for COVID-19 were assigned in a 1:1 ratio to receive four daily doses of I-C spray or placebo for 21 days. The primary end point was clinical COVID-19, as confirmed by reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction testing, over a period of 21 days. The trial is registered at ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT04521322). Results A total of 394 individuals were randomly assigned to receive I-C or placebo. Both treatment groups had similar baseline characteristics. The incidence of COVID-19 differs significantly between subjects receiving the nasal spray with I-C (2 of 196 [1.0%]) and those receiving placebo (10 of 198 [5.0%]). Relative risk reduction: 79.8% (95% CI 5.3 to 95.4; p=0.03). Absolute risk reduction: 4% (95% CI 0.6 to 7.4). Interpretation In this pilot study a nasal spray with I-C showed significant efficacy in preventing COVID-19 in health care workers managing patients with COVID-19 disease. Clinical Trials Registration NCT04521322.

In hypertension (HT) patients, RP revealed a high prevalence of OSA associated with carotid artery disease, high PWV, and increased cardiovascular risk.

IntroductionObstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSA) is diagnosed through polysomnography (PSG) or respiratory polygraphy (RP). Self-administered home-based RP using devices with data transmission could facilitate diagnosis in distant populations. The purpose of this work was to describe a telemedicine initiative using RP in four satellite outpatient care clinics (OCC) of Buenos Aires Hospital Británico Central (HBC).Materials and methodsOCC technicians were trained both in the use of RP. Raw signals were sent to HBC via intranet software for scoring and final report.ResultsDuring a 24-month 499 RP were performed in 499 patients: 303 men (60.7%) with the following characteristics (mean and standard deviation): valid time for manual analysis: 392.8 min (±100.1), AHI: 17.05 (±16.49 and percentile 25–75 [Pt]: 5–23) ev/hour, ODI (criterion 3%): 18.05 (±16.48 and Pt 25–75: 6–25) ev/hour, and time below 90% (T<90): 17.9% (±23.4 and Pt 25–75: 1–23). The distribution of diagnoses (absolute value and percentage) was: normal (66/13%), snoring (70/14%), mild (167/33.5%), moderate (110/22%), and severe (86/17.2%). Continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) was indicated for 191 patients (38.6%). Twenty recordings (4%) were considered invalid and the RP had to be repeated.PSG at HBC was indicated in 60 (12.1%) cases (mild OSA or normal AHI with high ESS or cardiovascular disease).ConclusionsPhysicians were able to diagnosis OSA by doing portable respiratory polygraphy at distance. The remote diagnosis strategy presented short delays, safe data transmission, and low rate of missing data.