Ten-Year Trends in Sleep-Disordered Breathing After Ischemic Stroke: 2010 to 2019 Data From the BASIC Project

Area of Science:

• Neurology
• Sleep Medicine
• Epidemiology

Background:

• Sleep-disordered breathing (SDB) prevalence is rising globally.
• Limited data exist on SDB trends specifically in post-stroke populations.
• This study addresses the knowledge gap regarding post-stroke SDB changes over time.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the 10-year trend (2010-2019) in the prevalence and severity of SDB after ischemic stroke.
• To analyze changes in SDB over time within a population-based stroke cohort.
• To identify potential associations between time and SDB metrics post-stroke.

Main Methods:

• Utilized data from the Brain Attack Surveillance in Corpus Christi (BASIC) project.
• Employed home sleep apnea testing for SDB assessment in 1215 stroke survivors.
• Applied regression models to analyze SDB trends, adjusting for confounders.

Main Results:

• SDB prevalence increased from 61% to 76% between 2010 and 2019.
• The odds of SDB increased by 1.1 times annually (95% CI, 1.07-1.19).
• A linear increase in respiratory event index (0.56/h annually) was observed.

Conclusions:

• Post-stroke SDB prevalence and severity have significantly increased over a decade.
• No significant differences in SDB trends were found based on sex or ethnicity.
• Further research is needed to determine if SDB treatment improves stroke outcomes.