Complex sleep apnea after full-night and split-night polysomnography: the Greek experience

Area of Science:

• Sleep Medicine
• Respiratory Medicine
• Clinical Research

Background:

• Treatment-emergent central sleep apnea (TE-CSA) is a condition where central respiratory events emerge or persist during positive airway pressure (PAP) therapy in obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) patients.
• Previous global prevalence estimates for TE-CSA range widely from 0.56% to 20.3%.
• Understanding TE-CSA prevalence in specific populations is crucial for accurate diagnosis and management.

Purpose of the Study:

• To determine the prevalence of treatment-emergent central sleep apnea (TE-CSA) in an adult Greek population.
• To contribute data on TE-CSA prevalence in a specific geographic region.

Main Methods:

• A total of 1,059 patients newly diagnosed with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) were recruited over 18 months.
• Patients underwent either split-night polysomnography (PSG) or two separate overnight PSGs (diagnostic and CPAP titration).
• Patients were categorized into two groups based on the PSG methodology used.

Main Results:

• The prevalence of TE-CSA was 2.53% (7 out of 277 patients) in the group undergoing two separate studies.
• The prevalence of TE-CSA was 5.63% (44 out of 782 patients) in the group undergoing split-night studies.
• Overall, the prevalence of TE-CSA in the Greek population studied was lower than reported in most prior international research.

Conclusions:

• The prevalence of TE-CSA in Greece appears to be lower compared to many previously published studies.
• Significant variations in TE-CSA prevalence globally may be attributed to differing diagnostic criteria and methodological approaches.
• Further research is needed to standardize diagnostic criteria and methodologies for TE-CSA.