Pathogenesis of obstructive sleep apnea in individuals with the COPD  + OSA Overlap syndrome versus OSA alone

This is the first study to comprehensively measure both anatomical and non ‐anatomical OSA traits during sleep in those with COPD + OSA (Overlap syndrome) and compare them to those with OSA alone. No consistent differences were found between the two groups, while worsened lung function did impact upper airway function and control of breathing. These findings have impli cations towards mechanisms underlying OSA, as well as management of sleep apnea. AbstractOverlap syndrome (OVS) is the concurrence of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), and is associated with poor outcomes. We hypothesized that physiological changes in COPD may affect the pathogenesis of OSA in important ways. We therefore sought to measure the anatomical and nonanatomical OSA traits in individuals with OVS and compare to those with OSA alone. Patients with established OVS were recruited, along with age, gender, and BMI matched OSA only controls. Smoking and relevant comorbidities or medications were excluded. Subjects underwent baseline polysomnography followed by an overnight physiological research study to measure the OSA traits (Veupnea, Varousal, Vpassive, Vactive, and loop gain). Fifteen subjects with OVS and 15 matched controls with OSA alone were studied (overall 66  ± 8 years, 20% women, BMI 31 ± 4 kg/m2, apnea ‐hypopnea index 49 ± 36/hr). Mixed‐modeling was used to incorporate each measurement (range 52–270 measures/trait), and account ...
Source: Physiological Reports - Category: Physiology Authors: Tags: ORIGINAL RESEARCH Source Type: research