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Published on: December 6, 2016
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Breathing rate variability in obstructive sleep apnea during wakefulness.
Amrita Pal1, Fernando Martinez1, Margaret A Akey1
1UCLA School of Nursing, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California.
Summary
Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) patients exhibit higher breathing rate variability (BRV) during wakefulness, both at rest and after a breath-hold challenge. This indicates breathing instability is present even when not sleeping.
Area of Science:
- Cardiorespiratory physiology
- Sleep medicine
- Pulmonary function testing
Background:
- Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is characterized by breathing pauses during sleep.
- Breathing dysregulation may persist during wakefulness in OSA patients.
- A breath-hold (BH) challenge can reveal underlying breathing instability.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess breathing rate variability (BRV) in individuals with OSA compared to controls.
- To evaluate BRV at rest and during a breath-hold (BH) challenge.
- To investigate the relationship between BRV, OSA, and physiological factors.
Main Methods:
- Sixty-two participants (31 with OSA, 31 controls) were studied.
- Breathing movements were recorded during 5 minutes of rest and a BH protocol.
- Breathing rate (BR) and BRV were calculated, with group comparisons adjusted for age, sex, and BMI.
Main Results:
- Individuals with OSA showed 10% higher resting BRV compared to controls (P < .05).
- During BH recovery, BRV increased significantly more in OSA (7%) than controls (1%) (P < .001).
- Body Mass Index (BMI) correlated with resting BR and change in BRV during BH.
Conclusions:
- Breathing instability, indicated by elevated BRV, is present in OSA patients during wakefulness.
- This instability occurs both at rest and in response to stimuli like breath-holding.
- Elevated BRV in OSA may contribute to cardiorespiratory complications during wakefulness.
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