Sleep Medicine

Obstructive sleep apnea

Sullivan CE, Berthon-Jones M, Issa FQ et al. Reversal of obstructive sleep apnea by continuous positive airway pressure applied through the nares. Lancet 1981 April 18; 1(8225):862-5. First description of CPAP in the treatment of OSA. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=pubmed&dopt=Abstract&list_uids=6112294

Iber C, O'Brien C, Schluter J, et al.  Single night studies in obstructive sleep apnea.  Sleep 1991;14:383-5. Contrary to the accompanying editorial, this study first documented the effectiveness of split-night studies for the evaluation of OSA and helped establish split-night studies as the standard of care. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=pubmed&dopt=Abstract&list_uids=1759089. 

Flemons WW, Littner MR, Rowley JA, et al.  Home diagnosis of sleep apnea:  A systematic review of the literature.  Chest 2003;124:1543-79.  A summary of where we are with out-of-lab diagnosis of sleep disordered breathing.  Although the effectiveness of these methods may be improving, there still is a lack of consensus on their use. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=pubmed&dopt=Abstract&list_uids=14555592&query_hl=180&itool=pubmed_docsum

Schwab RJ, Pasirstein M, Pierson R, et al. Identification of upper airway anatomic risk factors for obstructive sleep apnea with volumetric magnetic resonance imaging. Am J Respir Crit Care Med 2003; 168:522-30.  Elegant publication demonstrating the anatomy behind sleep disordered breathing – how can a patient with a normal BMI have OSA?  How can an overweight patient not have OSA?  Don’t miss the online supplement. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=pubmed&dopt=Abstract&list_uids=12746251

Young T, Peppard PE, Gottlieb DJ. Epidemiology of obstructive sleep apnea: a population health perspective. Am J Respir Crit Care Med 2002; 165:1217-39.  This article reviews the epidemiologic studies identifying a high prevalence of undiagnosed OSA in the general population, as well as the association between OSA and increased likelihood of hypertension, cardiovascular disease, and stroke. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=pubmed&dopt=Abstract&list_uids=11991871&query_hl=1&itool=pubmed_DocSum

Central sleep apnea

Eckert DJ, Jordan AS, Merchia P, et al. Central sleep apnea: Pathophysiology and treatment.  Chest  2007; 131:595-607. Concise review of the pathophysiology, presentation, and treatment of CSA. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=pubmed&cmd=Retrieve&dopt=AbstractPlus&list_uids=17296668&query_hl=9&itool=pubmed_docsum

Bradley TD, Logan AG, Kimoff RJ, et al. Continuous positive airway pressure for central sleep apnea and heart failure.  New Engl J Med 2005; 353:2025-33.  The oft-cited, randomized CANPAP study of 258 patients found use of CPAP in patients with CHF and Cheyne-Stokes Respirations did not improve mortality.  Some believe the lack of benefit compared to previous studies is due to advances in CHF treatment with beta blockers.  http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=pubmed&cmd=Retrieve&dopt=AbstractPlus&list_uids=16282177&query_hl=13&itool=pubmed_docsum

Sleep Deprivation

Landrigan CP, Rothschild JM, Cronin JW, et al.  Effect of reducing interns' work hours on serious medical errors in intensive care units.  N Engl J Med. 2004; 351:1838-48.  Prospective, randomized study determined that interns made substantially more serious medical errors when they worked frequent shifts of 24 hours or more than when they worked shorter shifts. Eliminating extended work shifts and reducing the number of hours interns work per week can reduce serious medical errors in the intensive care unit. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov.floyd.lib.umn.edu/entrez/query.fcgi?db=pubmed&cmd=Retrieve&dopt=AbstractPlus&list_uids=15509817&itool=iconfft&query_hl=58&itool=pubmed_docsum

Parasomnias

Schenck CH, Bundlie SR, Ettinger MG, et al.  Chronic behavioral disorders of human REM sleep: a new category of parasomnia.  Sleep 1986;9:293-308. The first description of REM Behavior Disorder. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=pubmed&dopt=Abstract&list_uids=3505730&query_hl=4&itool=pubmed_DocSum

Circadian Rhythm Disorders

Ancoli-Israel S, Cole R, Alessi C, et al. The role of actigraphy in the study of sleep and circadian rhythms.  Sleep 2003;26:342-92.  This review summarizes the role of actigraphy in the evaluation of patients with insomnia and circadian rhythm disorders. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=pubmed&dopt=Abstract&list_uids=12749557

Restless Legs Syndrome