Study Objectives: The aim of this cross-sectional study is to explore the association between serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D] levels, a marker of Vitamin D status, and excessive daytime sleepiness (EDS), expressed as increased scores of the Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS), in a group of prospectively enrolled patients with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). Methods: Newly diagnosed patients with OSA, divided into two groups, those with EDS (ESS > 10) and those without EDS (ESS < 10). All patients underwent night polysomnography. Measurement of serum 25(OH)D vitamin was performed using a radioimmunoassay. Results: In total, 217 patients with OSA (197 males and 20 females) were included. Patients with EDS had higher AHI (p < 0.001) values and lower mean serum 25(OH)D levels, compared with those of non-somnolent patients [17.4 (12.2–25.7) versus 21.1 (15.3–28.8) ng/mL, respectively, p = 0.005]. In patients with EDS, serum 25(OH)D levels correlated with average oxyhemoglobin saturation during sleep (r = 0.194, p = 0.043), and negatively with ESS score (r = −0.285, p = 0.003), AHΙ (r = −0.197, p = 0.040) and arousal index (r = −0.256, p = 0.019). Binary regression analysis identified Vit D serum levels (β = −0.045, OR: 0.956, 95% CI: 0.916–0.997, p = 0.035), total sleep time (β = 0.011, OR: 1.011, 95% CI: 1.002–1.021, p = 0.016) and AHI (β = 0.022, OR: 1.022, 95% CI: 1.003–1.043, p = 0.026) as independent predictors of EDS in patients with OSA. In patients with EDS, multiple regression analysis indicated that ESS score was negatively associated with Vit D serum levels (β = −0.135, p = 0.014) and minimum oxyhemoglobin saturation during sleep (β = −0.137, p = 0.043). Conclusions: In the present study, EDS in patients with OSA is associated with low levels of Vitamin D, while sleep hypoxia may play a role in this process.

Introduction: The clinical importance of obstructive sleep apnea (OPSA), which can be prevalent during rapid eye movement (REM) sleep, is unclear. This study aimed to explore possible differences between patients with REM-related OSA and non-REM-related OSA. Methods: This retrospective study...

Background: Overlap syndrome (OS), the coexistence of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and obstructive sleep apnea, is frequently characterized by the presence of daytime hypercapnia (pCO₂ ≥ 45 mmHg). The aim of this study was to investigate potential differences in anthropometric, sleep and respiratory characteristics between hypercapnic and normocapnic patients with OS. Methods: Consecutive patients who underwent polysomnography, pulmonary function testing and arterial blood gases and had been diagnosed with OS were enrolled in the study. Results: According to pCO₂ levels in wakefulness, the patients were divided into group A, consisting of OS patients without hypercapnia (n = 108) or group B, consisting of OS patients with hypercapnia (n = 55). The majority of included patients in both groups were males (n = 92 in group A vs. n = 50 in group B). Group B had increased BMI (p = 0.001), neck (p = 0.017) and waist circumference (p = 0.013), higher scores in Epworth sleepiness scale (ESS) (p = 0.008), increased sleep efficiency (p = 0.033), oxygen desaturation index (p = 0.004) and time with oxyhemoglobin saturation <90% (p = 0.006) than group A. Also, Group B had decreased average and minimum oxyhemoglobin saturation during sleep (p < 0.001). Hypercapnic patients had lower FEV₁% (p = 0.003), FVC% (p = 0.004), pO₂ and pCO₂ (p < 0.001 for both) values compared with normocapnic patients. In binary regression analysis, which assessed various predictors on the likelihood of having hypercapnia, it was found that BMI (OR: 1.313, 95% CI: 1.048–1.646, p = 0.018) and FVC (OR: 0.913, 95% CI: 0.845–0.986, p = 0.020) were the major determinants of hypercapnia in OS patients. Conclusions: Hypercapnic OS patients were more obese and sleepy and presented worse respiratory function in wakefulness and sleep hypoxia characteristics compared with normocapnic OS patients.

Study Objectives: The aim of this study is to explore the association between serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D] levels, a marker of Vitamin D status, and excessive daytime sleepiness (EDS), expressed as increased scores of Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS), in a group of prospectively enrolled patients with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). Methods: Newly diagnosed patients with OSA, divided into two groups, those with EDS (ESS>10) and those without EDS (ESS

Introduction: Patients with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) and asthma share common symptoms and risk factors. Aim: The aim of this study is to evaluate the clinical characteristics of patients with OSA and asthma and assess the impact of CPAP treatment on asthma control and exacerbations. Methods: Consecutive patients diagnosed with concomitant OSA and asthma were enrolled in the study. Data on patients’ characteristics, respiratory function during wakefulness, and polysomnography were recorded. Additionally, asthma control and exacerbation history were assessed the year before and after initiation of CPAP therapy. Results: The cohort included 102 patients (53 men and 49 women; mean age 56.5 ± 12.8 years). The severity of OSA was classified as severe in 49%, moderate in 27.5%, and mild in 23.5% of patients. The most common comorbidities were arterial hypertension (66.7%) and dyslipidemia (52%). Before CPAP initiation, most patients (55.9%) had moderate asthma control (ACT score 17.4 ± 0.9). Following CPAP treatment, the ACT score was improved (p < 0.001) and asthma exacerbations were significantly reduced (p = 0.002). Moreover, the Asthma Control Test (ACT) score was negatively correlated with BMI (r = −0.209, p = 0.035), AHI (r = −0.426, p < 0.001), oxygen desaturation index (r = −0.466, p < 0.001), and percentage of sleep time with oxygen saturation <90% (T < 90%) (r = −0.228, p = 0.021). Also, patients who experienced exacerbations (44/102) had higher AHI (p = 0.022) and more severe nocturnal hypoxia (T < 90%, p = 0.016). Conclusions: Asthma control is associated with OSA severity and BMI, while CPAP therapy seems to improve asthma control and reduces exacerbations in patients with concomitant OSA and asthma.

Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is associated with cardiovascular disease (CVD). Emerging evidence suggests that OSA can lead to subclinical myocardial injury even in the absence of established CVD. We aimed to evaluate the burden of subclinical myocardial injury in patients with OSA and insomnia symptoms compared to patients with OSA only. Consecutive newly diagnosed patients with OSA and without pre-existing CVD were included in the study. All patients underwent polysomnography and completed the Athens Insomnia Scale (AIS). High- sensitivity troponin T (hs-cTnT) in the serum was measured in all participants for the evaluation of subclinical myocardial injury. A total of 110 patients diagnosed with OSA (aged 54.9 ± 11.4 years) were divided into two groups according to the AIS score. Group A included 50 patients without insomnia symptoms (AIS score<6) and group B included 60 patients with insomnia symptoms (AIS score≥6). The two groups had similar OSA severity (apnea hypopnea index: 40.5 ± 24.2 for group A vs 38.9 ± 24.4 for group B; p = 0.721). Serum hs-cTnT levels were significantly elevated in group B compared to group A (11.1 ± 4.7 vs. 8.2 ± 4.7 pg/mL, respectively; p = 0.001). In linear regression analysis, serum hs-cTnT levels were associated with AIS score (β = 0.456, p = 0.001) and average nocturnal oxygen saturation (β = -0.807, p = 0.006). The present study revealed that patients with OSA and insomnia symptoms have a greater burden of subclinical myocardial injury compared to patients with OSA only.