Rapid eye movement-related obstructive sleep apnea (REM-related OSA) is a polysomnographic phenotype. Nocturnal blood pressure (BP) fluctuations remain unclear in patients with REM-related OSA. We studied 27 patients with REM-related OSA, categorized as having REM-apnea-hypopnea index (REM-AHI) ≥ 5/h, REM-AHI/non-REM-AHI ≥ 2, and non-REM-AHI < 15/h. Beat-to-beat systolic BP (SBP) variability and nocturnal SBP fluctuation patterns using pulse transit time (PTT) were investigated. The maximum increase and average nocturnal SBP were significantly higher in males than in females (p = 0.003 and p = 0.008, respectively). The rate of non-dipping patterns in nocturnal SBP fluctuations was 63% in all patients (males, 70%; females, 50%). Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS) and Self-rating Depression Scale (SDS) scores in females were higher than those in males (8.4 ± 6.1 vs. 13.4 ± 5.4 points, p = 0.04; 43.8 ± 7.9 vs. 52 ± 11.6 points, p = 0.04, respectively). A high proportion of patients with REM-related OSA had a non-dipping pattern. Using PPT, we observed that in patients with REM-related OSA, SBP variability was greater in males. Despite clinical symptoms being slightly more severe in females, nocturnal SBP fluctuations should be considered in male patients with REM-related OSA.

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This retrospective study was designed to evaluate the effects of continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) therapy, a well-established treatment for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), on nocturnal blood pressure fluctuations (NBPFs) during rapid eye movement (REM) and non-REM sleep, and to evaluate the NBPF patterns in patients with OSA. We included 34 patients with moderate-to-severe OSA who underwent polysomnography using pulse transit time before and at 3–6 months after CPAP therapy. Nocturnal BP and NBPF frequency in REM and non-REM sleep were investigated, as well as NBPF pattern changes after receiving CPAP therapy. CPAP therapy resulted in significant reductions in the apnea–hypopnea index (AHI), arousal index, nocturnal systolic and diastolic BP, and NBPF frequency in REM and non-REM sleep (all p < 0.01). A higher AHI before CPAP resulted in lower nocturnal systolic BP (r = 0.40, p = 0.019) and NBPFs (r = 0.51, p = 0.002) after CPAP. However, 58.8% of patients showed no change in NBPF patterns with CPAP therapy. CPAP therapy significantly improved almost all sleep-related parameters, nocturnal BP, and NBPF frequency in REM and non-REM sleep periods, but NBPF patterns showed various changes post-CPAP therapy. These results suggest that factors other than OSA influence changes in NBPF patterns.

The relationship between sleep apnea and morning affectivity remains unclear. We aimed to clarify how sleep disturbance in patients with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) influences their affectivity. The enrolled participants underwent the Positive and Negative Affect Schedule on their beds immediately before and after overnight polysomnography. Thirty patients with OSA were divided into two groups according to the apnea–hypopnea index (AHI): mild to moderate OSA (5 ≤ AHI < 30/h) and severe OSA (AHI ≥ 30/h) groups. Additionally, 11 healthy participants (AHI < 5/h) were included as the control group. No independent association was found between affectivity and OSA severity markers in the whole population; however, the severe OSA group had a significantly higher cumulative percentage of sleep time at saturations < 90% (CT90) and worsened morning negative affectivity. Multiple regression analysis showed that CT90 was an independent factor for increasing negative affectivity in the severe OSA group (p = 0.0422). In patients with OSA, the receiver operating characteristic curve analysis showed that the best cutoff value for CT90 for predicting no decrease in negative affectivity after sleep was 1.0% (sensitivity = 0.56, specificity = 0.86); the corresponding area under the curve was 0.71. Worsening of negative affectivity in the morning was influenced by nocturnal hypoxemia in patients with severe OSA.

Purpose: Continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) therapy is a well-established treatment for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). In this study, we aimed to assess the effects of CPAP therapy on nocturnal blood pressure (NBP) fluctuations (NBPFs) during rapid eye movement (REM) and non-REM sleep, and the NBPF patterns in patients with OSA. Methods: This retrospective study included 34 patients with moderate-to-severe OSA who underwent polysomnography using pulse transit time pre-CPAP therapy and 3–6 months post-CPAP therapy. We investigated NBP and the frequency of NBPFs in REM and non-REM sleep, as well as changes in NBPFpatterns post-CPAP therapy. Results: The apnea-hypopnea index (AHI), arousal index, systolic NBP, diastolic NBP, diurnal systolic BP (SBP), diastolic BP (DBP), and frequency of NBPFs in REM and non-REM sleep were significantly reduced post-CPAP therapy (all p < 0.01). A higher pre-CPAP AHI was associated with a reduction in diurnal SBP, systolic NBP, and NBPFs post-CPAP (r = 0.32, p = 0.028; r = 0.40, p = 0.019; and r = 0.51, p = 0.002; respectively). However, 58.8% of the patients showed no NBPF pattern change with CPAP therapy. Conclusion: In REM and non-REM sleep, almost all sleep-related parameters, NBP, and frequency of NBPFs significantly improved post-CPAP therapy, whereas NBPF patterns showed varying changes 3–6 months post-CPAP therapy. These results suggest that factors other than OSA influence NBPF pattern changes.