Publication
Title
Standardized framework to report on the role of sleeping position in sleep apnea patients
Author
Abstract
Purpose Sleep apnea is a multifactorial illness which can be differentiated in various physiological phenotypes as a result of both anatomical and non-anatomical contributors (e.g., low respiratory arousal threshold, high loop gain). In addition, the frequency and duration of apneas, in the majority of patients with OSA, are influenced by sleeping position. Differences in characteristics between non-positional patients (NPP) and positional patients (PP) suggest another crucial phenotype distinction, a clinical phenotype focusing on the role of sleeping position on sleep apnea. Since this clinical phenotype distinction has therapeutic implications, further research is necessary to better understand the pathophysiology behind this phenotypic trait and to improve management of PP. Therefore, we suggest a standardized framework that emphasizes the role of sleeping position when reporting clinical and research data on sleep apnea. Methods We identified 5 key topics whereby a standardized framework to report on the role of sleeping position would be of added value: (1) sleep study data, (2) anatomical, morphological and physiological factors, (3) drug-induced sleep endoscopy (DISE) findings, (4) sleep apnea management, and (5) effectiveness versus efficacy of positional therapy in sleep apnea management. We performed a literature search to identify evidence to describe and support the rationale behind these 5 main recommendations. Results In this paper, we present the rationale behind this construct and present specific recommendations such as reporting sleep study indices (disease severity) and sleep time spent in various sleeping positions. The same is suggested for DISE findings and effect of treatment. Sleep study indices (disease severity), anatomical, morphological, and physiological factors in sleep apnea patients should be reported separately for PP and NPP. Conclusion Applying these suggestions in future research will improve patient care, assist in better understanding of this dominant phenotype, and will enhance accurate comparisons across studies and future investigations.
Language
English
Source (journal)
Sleep and breathing. - Berlin, 1998, currens
Publication
Heidelberg : Springer heidelberg , 2021
ISSN
1520-9512 [print]
1522-1709 [online]
DOI
10.1007/S11325-020-02255-2
Volume/pages
25 :4 (2021) , p. 1717-1728
ISI
000606727300001
Pubmed ID
33426584
Full text (Publisher's DOI)
Full text (publisher's version - intranet only)
UAntwerpen
Faculty/Department
Research group
Publication type
Subject
Affiliation
Publications with a UAntwerp address
External links
Web of Science
Record
Identifier
Creation 03.02.2021
Last edited 04.03.2024
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