Welcome to the first one! This is ApneaIQ!

Following a diligent process of scouring the web for a consolidated and curated news on obstructive sleep apnea - and not finding one! - we decided to create one. So welcome!

We will bring information to you regularly and save you the work of finding it yourself. But don’t just take our word for it, see for yourself by subscribing!

All articles and news pieces are cited below in the text and hyperlinked for your convenience.

There are 2 versions: ApneaLite which is the free version giving you the latest in news and research, and ApneaPro which gives more granular scientific discussion and reflection on the latest topical information on OSA!

ApneaLite

Can dentists be a frontline defence against OSA?

Thomas et al report in a narrative review, which serves as a tour de force when it comes to the relationship between our teeth and sleep, can be a key screen for OSA. Since readers will know that a lot of OSA sufferers tend take many years to be diagnosed, or even be diagnosed be at all, lowering the threshold for diagnosis through as many different means as possible will be a key factor in tackling this worldwide health crisis.

Dentists are already an established part of the multi-disciplinary team in sleep centres, however the role of the general dentist can form an important part of the screening process and enhance population health when it comes to OSA. Broad sections of the population, particularly those who may not seek sleep evaluation, could be screened through clinical history and targeted clinical examination in this setting. Read their article here for more!

STOP-BANG, Eh?

This week, Cho et al and their team from Ontario observe, through their narrative review, the continuing overall utility of the STOP-BANG questionnaire.

The paper, reviewing 47 studies, highlights differences in performance in different ethnicities (e.g. lower BMI threshold in Chinese and Indian populations of 27.5), geographic regions (lower diagnostic accuracy in East Asia) and gender differences (under diagnosis in women as they are less likely to to report snoring or sleepiness).

Whilst this study highlights the need for a more personalised and population-specific approaches to OSA diagnoses, STOP-BANG is a commonly used and effective screening tool. For practitioners, understanding the population nuances when working particularly in regions with diverse patient groups will reduce disparities in diagnosis and enhance overall screening/diagnostic strategies. Read more here, and upgrade to ApneaPro to read further analyses on further latest studies on STOP-BANG.

Night watch? Apple takes on OSA detection!

The latest release of the Apple Watch 10, Ultra 2 and the previous series 9, will carry a new metric - ‘Breathing Disturbances’.

Reports state that accelerometer data will be used to monitor for breathing disturbances.

Technology such as this being integrated into one of the most prevalent wearables worldwide will at the very least raise awareness of this dangerous condition, and at best capture patients who previously may not be aware of their potential night time sleep disturbances.

Read a further analysis on the use of accelerometers for sleep apnea diagnosis in ApneaPro!

Subscribe to ApneaPro to read the rest.