Variations in the sleep-related breathing disorder index on polysomnography between men with HIV and controls: a matched case-control study

TL;DR

This study compares sleep breathing patterns and sleep quality between men with HIV and controls, finding differences in apnea and sleep stages.

Contribution

The study identifies distinct sleep-related breathing disorder patterns and sleep architecture differences in men with HIV compared to matched controls.

Findings

Men with HIV had a higher central-apnea index compared to controls.

PLWH showed lower stage 3 sleep and higher REM sleep percentages.

Nocturnal enuresis and sleepiness-related traffic accidents were more common in PLWH.

Abstract

Both sleep-related breathing disorders (SRBDs) and HIV infection can interfere with normal sleep architecture, and also cause physical and psychological distress. We aimed to understand the differences in the obstructive patterns, sleep architecture, physical and psychological distress when compared between people living with HIV (PLWH) and matched the severity of SRBDs controls.

A comparative study using matched case-control design was conducted. Men with HIV infection (case group) were enrolled from 2016 to 2019. A control group with HIV seronegative men were matched for SRBDs severity, and were selected from sleep medicine center database for comparison.

The mean age of the 108 men (including 54 cases and 54 matched controls) was 33.75 years. Central-apnea index (CI) was higher in the case group rather than matched controls (mean CI, 0.34 vs. 0.17, p = 0.049). PLWH had a lower mean percentage of stage 3 sleep (10.26% vs. 13.94%, p = 0.034) and a higher percentage of rapid eye movement sleep (20.59% vs. 17.85%, p = 0.011) compared to matched controls. Nocturnal enuresis and sleepiness causing traffic accidents were more frequent complaint in PLWH compared to controls.

Early detected SRBDs and subtypes in PLWH to begin treatment for the underlying cause could reduce the risk of sleepiness-related traffic accidents.

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