PurposeThe purpose of this study is to test the effects of a mild degree of head-of-bed elevation (HOBE) (7.5°) on obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) severity and sleep quality.MethodsOSA patients were recruited from a single sleep clinic (Criciúma, Santa Catarina, Brazil). Following a baseline polysomnography (PSG), all patients underwent a PSG with HOBE (within 2 weeks). In addition, a subset of patients performed a third PSG without HOBE.ResultsFifty-two patients were included in the study (age 53.2 ± 9.1 years; BMI 29.6 ± 4.8 kg/m2, neck circumference 38.9 ± 3.8 cm, and Epworth Sleepiness Scale 15 ± 7). Compared to baseline, HOBE significantly decreased the apnea-hypopnea index (AHI) from 15.7 [11.3–22.5] to 10.7 [6.6–16.5] events/h; p < 0.001 and increased minimum oxygen saturation from 83.5 [77.5–87] to 87 [81–90]%; p = 0.003. The sleep architecture at baseline and HOBE were similar. However, sleep efficiency increased slightly but significantly with HOBE (87.2 [76.7–90.7] vs 88.8 [81.6–93.3]; p = 0.005). The AHI obtained at the third PSG without HOBE (n = 7) returned to baseline values.ConclusionsMild HOBE significantly improves OSA severity without interfering in sleep architecture and therefore is a simple alternative treatment to ameliorate OSA.

Objective: Obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS) has a high prevalence and carries significant cardiovascular risks. It is important to study new therapeutic approaches to this disease. Positional therapy might be beneficial in reducing the apnea-hypopnea index (AHI). Imaging methods have been employed in order to facilitate the evaluation of the airways of OSAS patients and can be used in order to determine the effectiveness of certain treatments. This study was aimed at determining the influence that upper airway volume, as measured by cervical CT, has in patients diagnosed with OSAS. Methods: This was a quantitative, observational, cross-sectional study. We evaluated 10 patients who had been diagnosed with OSAS by polysomnography and on the basis of the clinical evaluation. All of the patients underwent conventional cervical CT in the supine position. Scans were obtained with the head of the patient in two positions (neutral and at a 44° upward inclination), and the upper airway volume was compared between the two. Results: The mean age, BMI, and neck circumference were 48.9 ± 14.4 years, 30.5 ± 3.5 kg/m2, and 40.3 ± 3.4 cm, respectively. The mean AHI was 13.7 ± 10.6 events/h (range, 6.0-41.6 events/h). The OSAS was classified as mild, moderate, and severe in 70%, 20%, and 10% of the patients, respectively. The mean upper airway volume was 7.9 cm3 greater when the head was at a 44° upward inclination than when it was in the neutral position, and that difference (17.5 ± 11.0%) was statistically significant (p = 0.002). Conclusions: Elevating the head appears to result in a significant increase in the caliber of the upper airways in OSAS patients.

Objective: To study the effects that gender and obesity have on excessive daytime sleepiness (EDS) in individuals with obstructive sleep apnea-hypopnea syndrome (OSAHS), as well as to identify factors associated with EDS in such individuals. Methods: A total of 300 consecutive patients who completed the clinical evaluation satisfactorily and whose polysomnography showed an apnea-hypopnea index (AHI) > 10 events/hour of sleep were selected from a sleep clinic population for inclusion in the study. Results: Mean age was 47 ± 11 years, and mean AHI was 52.1 ± 29.2 events/hour of sleep. Females presented higher mean age, lower EDS scores and less time in apnea . Mean EDS score was 14.7 ± 7.2. The EDS score correlated best with body movements (r = 0.43; p < 0.01), respiratory events during sleep (r = 0.40; p < 0.01), duration of apnea (r = 0.40; p < 0.01), peripheral oxygen saturation (SpO 2 ; r = -0.38; p < 0.01) and AHI (r = 0.37; p < 0.01). Mean body mass index (BMI) was 30.2 ± 5.3 kg/m 2 . Overweight, obesity and morbid obesity were observed in 41, 44 and 5.3% of cases, respectively. Disease severity correlated most strongly with BMI (r = 0.51; p < 0.01). Conclusions: Higher mean age, lower EDS scores and less time spent in sleep apnea time in apnea were associated with being female. Fragmented sleep, number/duration of respiratory events during sleep, SpO 2 levels and obesity were associated with sleepiness. The BMI had a significant effect on OSAHS severity.Keywords: Sleep apnea, obstructive; Sleep apnea syndromes; Polysomnography; Sleep stages; Obesity. ResumoObjetivo: Estudar os efeitos de gênero e obesidade e identificar fatores relacionados à sonolência diurna excessiva (SDE) em indivíduos com síndrome das apnéias-hipopnéias obstrutivas do sono (SAHOS). Métodos: Foram selecionados para inclusão no estudo 300 pacientes consecutivos, atendidos em clínica do sono, com índice de apnéia/hipopnéia (IAH) > 10 eventos/hora de sono, que completaram adequadamente a avaliação clínica. Resultados: A média de idade foi de 47 ± 11 anos e o IAH médio foi de 52,1 ± 29,2 eventos/hora de sono. As mulheres apresentaram maior média de idade, menos sonolência e menos tempo em apnéia. O escore médio de SDE foi de 14,7 ± 7,2. O escore de SDE correlacionou-se melhor com movimentos corpóreos (r = 0,43; p < 0,01), eventos respiratórios durante o sono (r = 0,40; p < 0,01), tempo em apnéia (r = 0,40; p < 0,01), valores mínimos da saturação periférica de oxigênio (SpO 2 ; r = -0,38; p < 0,01) e IAH (r = 0,37; p < 0,01). O índice de massa corpórea (IMC) médio foi de 30,2 ± 5,3 kg/m 2 . Sobrepeso, obesidade e obesidade mórbida foram observados em, respectivamente, 41, 44 e 5,3% dos casos. A gravidade da doença correlacionou-se melhor com IMC (r = 0,51; p < 0,01). Conclusões: Maior média de idade, menor escore de SDE e menor tempo em apnéia foram associados ao gênero feminino. Fragmentação do sono, número e duração de eventos respiratórios durante o sono, níveis de SpO 2 e obesidade se associaram à sonolência. O IMC teve efeito significat...

RESUMO Objetivo Conhecer as modificações do padrão do sono em insones usuários crônicos de benzodiazepínicos (BZDs) após introdução da trazodona. Métodos Em um grupo de 11 pacientes, foi estabelecido esquema para retirada gradual do BZD com introdução progressiva da trazodona. Foram realizadas duas polissonografias, sendo a primeira com dose de BZD habitual do paciente e a segunda após supensão do BZD e com 150 mg de trazodona de liberação prolongada. Questionários de qualidade do sono (Pittsburgh), sonolência diurna (Epworth) e sintomas depressivos (Hamilton) e ansiosos (Beck) foram aplicados. Resultados Cinco indivíduos concluíram o estudo, tendo sido acompanhados por pelo menos seis semanas. Nesses pacientes, a trazodona aumentou significativamente a eficiência do sono e sono REM e diminuiu o tempo desperto após início do sono. Houve melhora da qualidade do sono, porém não houve alteração dos sintomas depressivos e ansiosos. Conclusão Trazodona de liberação prolongada demonstrou ser uma opção terapêutica para insones usuários crônicos de BZDs com retirada eficaz do ansiolítico. Houve melhora na qualidade do sono por questionário e polissonografia. Maior número de pacientes será necessário para determinar os benefícios da trazodona nesse tipo de intervenção.

Objective: To evaluate, using pulmonary function tests, the effectiveness of formoterol as a bronchodilator at 30 min after its administration in patients with poorly reversible COPD. Methods: A prospective study including 40 COPD patients not responding to the short-acting bronchodilator used in the spirometric test-variation of less than 200 mL and less than 7% of predicted in forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV 1 ). All patients were classified as having stage II, III, or IV COPD (Brazilian Thoracic Society/Global Initiative for Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease) and presented FEV 1 ≤ 70% of predicted value. The patients were randomized into two groups of 20, with similar clinical characteristics, receiving, via a dry powder inhaler, either formoterol or a placebo. The pulmonary function testing (plethysmography) was repeated at 30 min after formoterol or placebo administration. Results: In the formoterol group, the mean values obtained for FEV 1 , inspiratory capacity, and forced vital capacity were significantly greater than those obtained in the placebo group (p = 0.00065, p = 0.05, and p = 0.017, respectively), whereas that obtained for airway resistance was significantly lower (p = 0.010). Less pronounced differences were observed for residual volume, vital capacity and specific airway conductance, which were lower, higher and higher, respectively, in the formoterol group. Conclusions: In COPD patients not responding to the short-acting bronchodilator used in the spirometric test, formoterol promoted significant improvement in lung function at 30 min after of administration. Further studies are required to confirm whether formoterol can also be used as a medication for immediate relief of symptoms in COPD.Keywords: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease; Respiratory function tests; Bronchodilator agents. ResumoObjetivo: Avaliar, por meio de provas de função pulmonar, a eficácia broncodilatadora do formoterol após 30 min de sua administração em portadores de doença pulmonar obstrutiva crônica (DPOC) com pouca reversibilidade. Métodos: Estudo prospectivo incluindo 40 pacientes portadores de DPOC com resposta negativa ao broncodilatador de curta duração utilizado no teste espirométrico-variação menor que 200 mL e 7% do previsto do volume expiratório forçado no primeiro segundo (VEF 1 ). Os pacientes encontravam-se nos estágios II, III ou IV da DPOC (Sociedade Brasileira de Pneumologia e Tisiologia/Global Initiative for Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease) e apresentavam VEF 1 ≤ 70% do previsto. Foram randomizados em dois grupos de 20, com características clínicas semelhantes, e cada grupo recebeu formoterol ou placebo por meio de inalador de pó seco. As provas de função pulmonar (por pletismografia) foram repetidas após 30 min da administração de formoterol ou placebo. Resultados: Observaram-se aumento significativo de VEF 1 (p = 0,00065), capacidade inspiratória (p = 0,05) e capacidade vital forçada (p = 0,017) e redução significativa da resistência das vias aéreas (p = 0,010) no grupo formotero...