ICYMI: Highlights From SLEEP 2023

The most-read coverage from SLEEP 2023 explored the impact of long COVID-19 on sleep patterns, racial and ethnic disparities in sleep health, prevalence and comorbidities of idiopathic hypersomnia (IH), the connection between disrupted nighttime sleep (DNS) and narcolepsy in children, and the ease of transitioning from high-sodium oxybate (SXB) to lower-sodium oxybate (LXB) in patients with narcolepsy while maintaining effectiveness.

Here are the SLEEP 2023 conference highlights. Click here to check out the rest of our coverage from the conference.

5. How Has Long COVID-19 Affected Sleep Patterns?

Sleep disorders such as hypersomnia and insomnia were investigated in relation to postacute sequelae of COVID-19 (PASC). An estimated 6% of US adults are experiencing long COVID-19 symptoms, and hypersomnia was strongly linked to PASC, especially in cases with multiple infections and virulent strains. Insomnia prevalence during and after COVID-19 was high. During a panel discussion, the need for further research to understand the connection between PASC and neurological disorders was acknowledged, emphasizing the importance of evaluating this link for future treatments.

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4. A Q&A With the NIEHS’ Dr Symielle Gaston: Understanding Racial/Ethnic Variations in Sleep Health

Symielle A. Gaston, PhD, MPH, from the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, discussed how racial and ethnic residential segregation contributes to sleep health disparities. In an interview, Gaston highlighted the impact of structural racism and neighborhood-level poverty on these disparities. She emphasized the role of environmental factors in sleep patterns; addressed racial/ethnic disparities, attributing them to structural racism; stressed the need for research on social determinants of health; and underscored the importance of studying sleep health in minority populations.

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3. Prevalence, Comorbidities of Idiopathic Hypersomnia Revealed in New Posters

A study evaluating IH in adults found the diagnosed prevalence rate per 100,000 persons increased from 32.12 in 2019 to 37.03 in 2021. The estimated number of diagnosed IH cases in the United States also rose from 80,603 in 2019 to 92,139 in 2021. Another study revealed that patients with IH face a significant clinical burden, with higher prevalence of conditions such as sleep apnea, mood disorders, headache/migraine, cardiovascular disease, stroke, major adverse cardiovascular events, hypertension diagnosis, and heart failure.

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2. Disrupted Nighttime Sleep an Indicator of Narcolepsy in Children

During a discussion at SLEEP 2023, Kiran Maski, MD, MPH, associate professor of neurology at Harvard Medical School, highlighted the distinct association between narcolepsy in children and DNS. While there is no accepted objective measure for DNS, studies linked subjective complaints to measures such as sleep stages N1 and N3, wake after sleep onset, and sleep bout characteristics. Another study on children aged 6 to 18 years revealed that patients with narcolepsy type 1 (NT1) struggled to sustain wake and REM sleep bouts, impacting cognitive functions. An experimental study showed poorer memory and learning performance in patients who have NT1, emphasizing the need for further testing to assess broader cognitive consequences of DNS.

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1. Patients With Narcolepsy Able to Switch Medications Easily, Maintain Effectiveness

Patients with narcolepsy found it easy to transition from SXB to LXB, according to data from SLEEP 2023. In a study of adults switching from SXB to LXB, most participants preferred LXB, reporting the transition as easy and maintaining effectiveness. Another study on sleep quality during the transition revealed that although sleep quality remained generally unchanged, more participants felt refreshed with LXB at the study's end compared with baseline.

Read the full article here.