September 2011

Recording-Breaking Number of Open Forums on Tap at AARC Congress 2011
The 57th International Respiratory Convention & Exhibition in Tampa, FL, this Nov. 5–8 will feature more original research than any other AARC Congress in history, in a record-setting 20 Open Forums sprinkled throughout the four days of the meeting. Take a few moments to review the abstracts—and the program too, which is now online as well—and then register to attend today. SCROLL THROUGH OPEN FORUM SESSIONS READ PROGRAM

SDB Linked to Cognitive Impairment
Researchers from the University of California, San Francisco have linked sleep disordered breathing (SDB) to an increased risk of developing cognitive impairment in a new study published in the Aug. 10 edition of JAMA. The study involved 298 elderly women, 35.2% of whom were diagnosed with SDB. The women were followed for an average of 4.7 years. At that point, 44.8% of those with SDB had developed mild cognitive impairment or dementia compared with 31.1% of those without SDB. After adjusting for various demographic risk factors, an oxygen desaturation index of 15 or greater and 7% or more of total sleep time in apnea or hypopnea were associated with a higher incidence of mild cognitive impairment or dementia. READ PRESS RELEASE

Compression Stockings Improve Apneas/Hyopneas in CVI Patients with OSA
OSA patients who also suffer from chronic venous insufficiency (CVI) may benefit from wearing compression stockings, report French investigators publishing ahead of print in the American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine in early August. The researchers believe the stockings help to reduce daytime fluid accumulation in the legs, which in turn reduces the amount of fluid in the neck at night. The study was conducted among 12 patients who took part in a randomized, crossover study in which they wore the stockings for one week and then did not wear them for one week. On average, overnight leg fluid volume dropped by 62% and neck circumference declined by 60% during the stocking week. Patients also had a 36% drop in the number of apneas and hypopneas per hour of sleep. READ PRESS RELEASE

OSA Ups Post-Op Complications
A new study out of the Cleveland Clinic finds OSA patients are at higher risk for complications following non-cardiac surgery (NCS). The research was conducted among 471 patients who had undergone polysomnography within three years of a preoperative assessment for an NCS. OSA was diagnosed in 282 of the patients. Patients with OSA had a higher incidence of postoperative hypoxemia, overall complications, and ICU transfer. They also had longer hospital stays. The study did not link either the AHI or home use of CPAP prior to surgery to post-operative complications or length of stay. The study was published ahead of print in CHEST on Aug. 25. READ ABSTRACT

Study Questions OSA/hypertension link
Cross-sectional studies have suggested a link between OSA and systemic hypertension (SH), but data from longitudinal studies have been lacking. Spanish researchers who followed 1180 subjects age 30–70 over 7.5 years find the crude odds ratio for SH increased with the RDI category, but was not statistically significant after adjustment for age. When the findings were adjusted to take sex, body mass index, neck circumference, fitness level, and alcohol, tobacco, and coffee consumption into account, the strength of the association between the RDI and SH was weakened further. Results were similar for men and women. “Our findings do not suggest an association between OSA and the incidence of SH in the middle-aged general population,” conclude the authors. “Long-term follow-up longitudinal studies are needed to better ascertain this association.” The study appeared ahead of print in the American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine on Aug. 25. READ ABSTRACT