Title : Sleep apnea and atrial fibrillation: Exploring clinical characteristics and diagnostic screening options
Abstract:
Objectives: To investigate the prevalence of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), anthropometric and clinical characteristics of patients with atrial fibrillation (AF), and assess the possibilities of screening diagnosis for OSA.
Materials and Methods: The study involved AF patients (n=153) aged 34-81 years. The median age was 64 years, with 59 (38.5%) females and 94 (61.5%) males. Standard examinations were conducted, including respiratory sleep monitoring, and questionnaires such as SB, Berlin questionnaire, and ESS were administered.
Results: OSA was diagnosed in 114 (74.5%) patients. No predominance of a specific severity level was observed: mild (n=35; 30.7%), moderate (n=39; 34.3%), severe (n=40; 35%). When comparing patients with and without OSA, a statistically significant difference was found in body mass index (BMI)(p<0.02) and neck circumference (p=0.006). Patients with OSA had a 4.4 times higher risk of developing heart failure (p=0.03) and a 3.5 times higher risk of developing diabetes mellitus (p=0.02) compared to those without OSA. The ESS had the lowest number of confirmed OSA cases. Statistically significant differences were found when comparing apnea frequency based on the SB and Berlin questionnaires. Patients with a score of 3 or higher on the SB scale had an 11-fold increased odds of having OSA (95% CI: 3.3-38.2).
Conclusion: Over 70% of AF patients had OSA, with higher BMI and neck circumference. Those with both OSA and rhythm disorders had a higher prevalence of heart failure and diabetes, emphasizing their role in comorbidity. The Berlin and SB questionnaires are useful for assessing OSA risk in AF patients.
Audience Take Away Notes
Explain how the audience will be able to use what they learn?
The audience can benefit from this text in the following ways:
Understanding the prevalence of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) among patients with atrial fibrillation (AF): The text provides valuable information on the high prevalence of OSA in AF patients, with approximately 74.5% of the studied patients being diagnosed with OSA. This knowledge raises awareness among the audience about the potential co-occurrence of these conditions.
Recognizing the clinical characteristics associated with OSA in AF patients: The text highlights the statistically significant differences in body mass index (BMI) and neck circumference between AF patients with and without OSA. This information helps the audience identify potential risk factors and clinical indicators that can prompt further evaluation for OSA in AF patients.
Understanding the comorbidity risks associated with OSA and AF: The text reveals that AF patients with OSA have a higher risk of developing heart failure and diabetes mellitus compared to those without OSA. This finding underscores the importance of managing OSA in AF patients to mitigate the associated comorbidity risks.
Evaluating screening diagnostic options for OSA in AF patients: The text discusses the use of respiratory sleep monitoring and various questionnaires, such as the SB and Berlin questionnaires, for screening OSA in AF patients. The audience can consider incorporating these screening tools into their clinical practice to identify OSA cases among AF patients more effectively.
How will this help the audience in their job?
Clinical decision-making: The information presented in the text regarding the prevalence of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) among patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) and the associated clinical characteristics can assist healthcare professionals in making more informed decisions. They can consider OSA as a potential comorbidity when evaluating and managing AF patients, leading to more accurate diagnoses and tailored treatment plans.
Screening and diagnosis: The text discusses various screening diagnostic options for OSA in AF patients, including respiratory sleep monitoring and questionnaires like the SB and Berlin questionnaires. Healthcare professionals can utilize this information to enhance their screening protocols and select appropriate diagnostic tools to identify OSA in AF patients more effectively. This can improve the accuracy and efficiency of their diagnostic processes.
Risk assessment and management: The text highlights the comorbidity risks associated with OSA and AF, such as a higher prevalence of heart failure and diabetes mellitus. This knowledge can help healthcare professionals in assessing the overall risk profile of AF patients and implementing appropriate preventive measures or treatment strategies. They can prioritize OSA management in AF patients to mitigate the associated comorbidity risks and optimize patient outcomes.
Research and academic pursuits: Researchers in the field of cardiology or sleep medicine can utilize the findings presented in the text to enhance their understanding of the relationship between OSA and AF. The information can guide them in designing further studies, exploring new avenues of research, and contributing to the scientific knowledge in this area. It can also serve as a reference or citation source for academic purposes.
Is this research that other faculty could use to expand their research or teaching?
Yes, this research can be valuable for other faculty members looking to expand their research or teaching in the fields of cardiology, sleep medicine, or related disciplines. Here's how this research can benefit them:
Research expansion: Faculty members conducting research in the field of cardiology or sleep medicine can build upon the findings presented in this research. They can use it as a foundation to explore further aspects or investigate related research questions. For example, they could delve deeper into the mechanisms linking sleep apnea and atrial fibrillation, conduct longitudinal studies to assess the impact of OSA treatment on AF outcomes, or explore novel screening and diagnostic approaches.
Teaching material: The research findings, methodology, and conclusions can serve as valuable teaching material for faculty members delivering courses or lectures on cardiology, sleep medicine, or related topics. They can incorporate the research into their curriculum to educate students about the relationship between sleep apnea and atrial fibrillation, the prevalence of OSA among AF patients, the associated clinical characteristics, and the importance of screening and managing OSA in this population.
