May 2010

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Spring Bulletin Online Now
The Spring issue of our Section Bulletin is ONLINE now, so click over to read an update on the NBRC’s new SDS exam, plus an article on sleep technology and the electronic medical record and tips on surviving the night shift.

Treating Truck Drivers for OSA Saves on Costs
Treating truck drivers for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is cost-effective, report the authors of a new study in this month’s Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine. They compared costs for 156 drivers who received CPAP or other treatments for their OSA with those for 92 other drivers diagnosed with OSA but not treated. Health plan costs for treated drivers decreased by an average of $2700 in the first year and another $3100 in the second year. No change in costs was noted for untreated drivers. The treated drivers also missed an average of 4.4 fewer days of work in the first year and had short-term disability costs that were $528 lower over two years. On average, OSA treatment led to more than $6000 in total health plan and disability savings per driver, and total costs decreased by 41%. READ PRESS RELEASE

Short Sleep Cycles Linked to Stroke
A new study out of Japan links short sleep cycles in elderly hypertensive patients with stroke and silent cerebral infarct (SCI), also known as “silent stroke.” The research was conducted among 932 patients who underwent a brain MRI to assess for SCI. Results showed sleep duration less than 7.5 hours was independently associated with stroke risk. When patients were divided into those who experienced an SCI (517) and those who did not (415), short sleep duration was a significant predictor of stroke only in those with SCI. The study was presented at a recent meeting of the American Society of Hypertension. READ PRESS RELEASE

OSA Screening Program Uncovers Significant Number of At Risk Patients
A new article in Hospitals & Health Networks takes a closer look at a sleep apnea screening program implemented by Carle Foundation Hospital in Urbana, IL. According to the author (who quotes the AARC on sleep statistics at the beginning of the story), patients who report a diagnosis of OSA are given CPAP devices to use while they are in the hospital. Other patients are asked a series of questions to determine if they are at risk. So far, about 40% of patients are screening positive for sleep apnea susceptibility. At risk patients go on to receive several interventions aimed at more carefully monitoring their condition while they are hospitalized. These patients also receive educational materials on OSA upon discharge, and their primary care physicians are alerted as well. READ ARTICLE

Sleep Disordered Breathing in Children
Results from the Tucson Children’s Assessment of Sleep Apnea Study suggest male gender and obesity raise the risk that sleep disordered breathing (SDB) will persist over time in children. The study was conducted among 319 children who underwent two home polysomnograms five years apart. The mean age at baseline was 8.5. The mean age at follow up was 13.7. The researchers found:

• Incident SDB was more common in boys.
• Children with prevalent SDB were more likely to be boys and had a greater increase in body mass index percentile change.
• Children with prevalent SDB had 3.41 greater odds for development of obesity from baseline to follow-up in comparison with children without prevalent SDB.

The study appeared in the Mar. 19 Epub edition of the Journal of Pediatrics. READ ABSTRACT