Osteopathic Manipulation of the Sphenopalatine Ganglia Versus Sham Manipulation, in Obstructive Sleep Apnoea Syndrom: A Randomised Controlled Trial

(1) Background: osteopathic manipulation of the sphenopalatine ganglia (SPG) blocks the action of postganglionic sensory fibres. This neuromodulation can reduce nasal obstruction and enhance upper airway stability. We investigated the manipulation of the SPG in 31 patients with obstructive sleep apnoea syndrome (OSAS); (2) Methods: Randomised, controlled, double-blind, crossover study. Participants received active (AM), then sham manipulation (SM), or vice versa. The primary endpoint was apnoea-hypopnoea index (AHI). Secondary endpoints were variation of nasal obstruction evaluated by peak nasal inspiratory flow (PNIF) and upper airways stability evaluated by awake critical closing pressure [awake Pcrit]), at 30 min and 24 h. Schirmer’s test and pain were assessed immediately post-manipulation. Tactile/gustatory/olfactory/auditory/nociceptive/visual sensations were recorded. Adverse events were collected throughout. (3) Results: SPG manipulation did not reduce AHI (p = 0.670). PNIF increased post-AM but not post-SM at 30 min (AM-SM: 18 [10; 38] L/min, p = 0.0001) and 24 h (23 [10; 30] L/min, p = 0.001). There was no significant difference on awake Pcrit (AM-SM) at 30 min or 24 h). Sensations were more commonly reported post-AM (100% of patients) than post-SM (37%). Few adverse events and no serious adverse events were reported. (4) Conclusions: SPG manipulation is not supported as a treatment for OSAS but reduced nasal obstruction. This effect remains to be confirmed in a larger sample before using this approach to reduce nasal congestion in CPAP-treated patients or in mild OSAS.

Comparison of invasive intubation and noninvasive mechanical ventilation in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and obstructive sleep apnoea syndrome

Objective The concurrence of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and obstructive sleep apnoea syndrome (OSAS) is defined as overlap syndrome (OS), but investigations into predictors of OS in patients with COPD remain limited. Here, potential markers of OS in patients with COPD were investigated, and results of intubation were compared between patients with COPD only or OS. Methods This retrospective study included patients with COPD who were divided according to OS diagnosis: COPD only (COPD group) or OS (OS group). Results Among 206 patients with COPD, 120 were diagnosed with OS. Mean body mass index (BMI) was significantly higher in the OS versus COPD group (28.95 ± 2.96 versus 23.84 ± 4.06, respectively). Receiver operating characteristic curve analyses revealed that BMI was associated with OS (area under the curve, 0.835). The rate of invasive intubation within 48 h was lower in the OS versus COPD group (9.2% versus 20.9%, respectively), and the duration of noninvasive ventilation was longer in the OS versus COPD group. Conclusions BMI may be a predictor of OS in patients with COPD. The duration of noninvasive ventilation was longer in patients with OS than in patients with COPD alone.

Peer-driven intervention to help patients resume CPAP therapy following discontinuation: a multicentre, randomised clinical trial with patient involvement

IntroductionObstructive sleep apnoea syndrome (OSAS) is one of the most common chronic diseases. It may be associated with symptoms of excessive daytime sleepiness and neurocognitive and cardiovascular complications. First line therapy for OSAS involves home continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP), however, nearly half of patients do not adhere with this treatment over the long term. Cognitive-behavioural interventions that include health professionals and patient and public involvement are increasingly advocated in the fields of education and research. We hypothesise that a peer-driven intervention could help patients with OSAS to resume CPAP use after discontinuation.Methods and analysisWe have designed a prospective, multicentre randomised, controlled trial that will be coconducted by health professionals, a home provider of CPAP and patients as experts or peers or participants. The primary aim is to evaluate the impact of a 6-month, peer-driven intervention to promote the resumption of CPAP after discontinuation. We anticipate that 20% of patients in the intervention group will reuse CPAP as compared with 6% in control group, thus, 104 patients must be included in each group. The secondary aims are (1) to evaluate the impact of the peer-driven intervention on adherence to CPAP compared with the control group (mean adherence and percentage of nights with at least 4 hours’ use/night for 70% of nights); (2) to determine factors associated with resumption of CPAP; (3) to assess patient satisfaction with the peer-driven intervention at 6 months; (4) to evaluate the feasibility and the execution of the peer-driven intervention and peer satisfaction. Adult outpatients with an established diagnosis of severe OSA (Apnoea-Hypopnoea Index >30 events/hour) that have stopped using CPAP within 4–12 months after initiation will be recruited. The peers who will perform the intervention will be patients with OSAS treated with CPAP with good adherence (at least 4 hours/night, 70% of nights) and trained in motivational enhancement and cognitive-behavioural therapies. Trained peers will conduct three interviews within 6 months with participants.Ethics and disseminationEthical approval has been obtained from the French Regional Ethics Committee CPP Ouest II-Angers, (IRB 21.02.25.68606 (2021/2025)). All participants will sign written informed consent. The results will be presented at conferences and published in peer-reviewed journals as well as public media.Trial registration numberNCT04538274

Defining obstructive sleep apnoea syndrome: a failure of semantic rules

Obstructive sleep apnoea syndrome (OSAS) is one of the most ubiquitous medical conditions in industrialised society. Since the recognition that symptoms of excessive daytime somnolence, problems with concentration, mood and cognitive impairment, as well as cardiometabolic abnormalities can arise as a consequence of obstructed breathing during sleep, it has been subject to variation in its definition. Over the past five decades, attempts have been made to standardise the definitions and scoring criteria used for apnoeas and hypopnoea, which are the hallmarks of obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA). However, applying these definitions in clinical and research practice has resulted in over- and under-estimation of the severity and prevalence of OSAS. Furthermore, the definitions may eventually become redundant in the context of rapid technological advances in breathing measurement and other signal acquisition. Increased efforts towards precision medicine have led to a focus on the pathophysiology of obstructed breathing during sleep. However, the same degree of effort has not been focused on how and why the latter does or does not result in diurnal symptoms, integral to the definition of OSAS. This review focuses on OSAS in adults and discusses some of the difficulties with current definitions and the possible reasons behind them.