June 2010

Year of the Lung: Great Ideas Online
2010 is the Year of the Lung, and the AARC is a key partner in the international effort to promote the event. We’ve been featuring Year of the Lung ideas, resources, and activities on the AARC website—neatly categorized into “Do It,” “Learn More,” “Share It,” and “Focus On” sections to ensure there’s something for everyone—all year long. So head over to the PAGE and see how you can get involved. It’s a great way to showcase respiratory therapists as the lung health experts in your community. 

Brain Injury Tied to Sleep Problems
Australian researchers publishing in the May 25 edition of Neurology link disturbed sleep in people with brain injuries to the production of low amounts of melatonin. The investigation was conducted among 23 traumatic brain injury patients and 23 healthy controls. All underwent two nights of sleep testing in a sleep laboratory. In addition to having lower melatonin levels, people with brain injuries spent less time in bed and more time awake after initially falling asleep than the controls, and they also spent more time in non-REM sleep. People with brain injuries reported more symptoms of anxiety and depression as well, but the sleep findings held true even after the results were adjusted to take these factors into account. READ PRESS RELEASE

Intermittent Hypoxia May Increase Insulin Resistance
New findings out of the University of Pittsburgh suggest the intermittent hypoxia (IH) associated with sleep apnea may increase insulin resistance. Interestingly, chronic hypoxia (CH) did not have the same effect. The investigators reached those conclusions after comparing the effects of IH and CH in adult male mice who were fitted with arterial and venous catheters for continuous rapid blood monitoring of glucose and insulin sensitivity. The mice were then exposed to either seven hours of IH or CH. While both groups experienced impaired glucose tolerance, only the IH mice exhibited insulin sensitivity. “As sleep apnea continues to rise with the rate of obesity, it will be increasingly important to understand both the independent and interactive effects of both morbidities on the development of metabolic disorders,” says study author Euhan John Lee, MD. “This research demonstrated that intermittent hypoxic exposure can cause changes in insulin sensitivity and insulin secretion, which may have important consequences in metabolically vulnerable diabetic patients who present with co-morbid sleep apnea.” The study was presented at the American Thoracic Society Conference in May. READ PRESS RELEASE

SDB Common in Kids with TIS
Sleep disordered breathing (SDB) may be a common problem among children with thoracic insufficiency syndrome (TIS), report University of Washington researchers publishing in the May issue of Pediatric Pulmonology. They subjected 11 children with TIS to overnight polysomnography, finding ten of the children, or 92%, had SDB. The median apnea/hypopnea index was 4.3 events per hour, with obstructive hypopneas accounting for 75% of the abnormalities. Most of the respiratory events occurred during REM sleep and were linked to oxyhemoglobin desaturation. They were only rarely associated with carbon dioxide retention. “Sleep disordered breathing with hypoxemia appears to be a common but under recognized problem among children with TIS,” write the authors. “Polysomnogram may have a role as a non-invasive screening tool used in conjunction with other functional respiratory assessments in children with TIS, and warrants further study in a prospective manner.” READ ABSTRACT

Out of This World Hope for Shift Workers?
Research conducted to help astronauts adjust to shifting work schedules may one day help people here on earth as well. Developed by Harvard researchers with funding from the National Space Biomedical Research Institute, the system relies on two software components. The Circadian Performance Simulation Software uses complex mathematical formulas to predict how an individual will react to specific conditions. It then allows users to interactively design a schedule, such as shifting sleep/wake to a different time, and predicts when they would be expected to perform well or poorly. The Shifter Software then “prescribes” the optimal times in the schedule to use light to shift the person’s circadian rhythm in order to improve performance at critical times during the schedule. The researchers are now working to determine what personal data are needed to provide recommendations for specific individuals. They believe the software could be easily adapted to anyone who works irregular hours—or even travelers suffering from jet lag. READ PRESS RELEASE

Have You Connected Yet?
As most section members know by now, our listserve has migrated to the AARC’s new social media site, AARConnect. You may be sending and receiving messages via the new site, but have you updated your Profile Page yet? If not, GO THERE now, click on “Complete your profile” on the top right hand corner, and fill out the form. Don’t forget to upload a picture of yourself as well. AARConnect is a great way for us all to learn a little more about each other, but it only works if everyone uses the site to its full potential!