The most-read content in sleep this year included articles on narcolepsy, continuous positive airway pressure adherence, and new drugs approved for insomnia, among other stories.
The top 5 most-read articles around sleep that were published on AJMC.com included content that focused on managing narcolepsy, approval of medication to treat insomnia, and the association of metabolic syndrome with sleep duration.
Here were the top 5 sleep pieces in 2022.
5. The Challenges of Living With Narcolepsy While Pregnant and How Providers Can Help
A discussion panel at the SLEEP 2022 meeting, held in early June, explained that women with narcolepsy face challenges when they are pregnant or in the postpartum stage. Providers should be made aware of these challenges to offer support for these women. Early conversations about the creation of birth plans and treatment risks and access to marriage counseling and patient support groups are just 2 recommendations that providers can consider for these women. Clinical risks, such as increased cataplexy during delivery, were also discussed.
4. Study Finds Surgical Intervention for Nasal Obstruction Improves CPAP Adherence, Outcomes in Patients With OSA
Patients with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) who were historically nonadherent to their continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) treatment became adherent after a nasal surgical intervention, according to the study findings covered in this article published in February. These patients also experienced improvements in objective and subjective severity measures, although no statistical improvement was found in apnea-hypopnea index after the surgical intervention.
3. Metabolic Syndrome Associated With Sleep Duration, Insomnia
Sleep duration and insomnia were found to have an effect on the current and future risk of metabolic syndrome, according to the results of a study discussed in this September article. Sleep duration of 9 or more hours was associated with an increased risk of metabolic syndrome, a waist circumference greater than 88 cm, and triglycerides of 150 mg/dL or more.
2. Dr Michael Thorpy: Shared Decision-Making Is Important for Managing Narcolepsy
Shared decision-making between patients and clinicians is necessary to personalize treatment for narcolepsy, according to Michael Thorpy, MD, in this video interview. Thorpy emphasized that educating patients on symptoms of narcolepsy is crucial so that physicians can accurately address the impact on quality of life, work, and interpersonal relationships through accurate treatment.
Watch the full interview here.
1. Daridorexant Approved for Adults With Insomnia
The top sleep article of the year covered the FDA's January approval of daridorexant (Quviviq) at doses of 25 mg and 50 mg. Daridorexant, which is characterized as a dual orexin receptor antagonist, would be used as a treatment for insomnia in adults. The approval came after a phase 3 trial that involved 1854 adults and found that the 25-mg and 50-mg doses were effective compared with the placebo. A 10-mg dose was not found to be effective and was not approved by the FDA.