Oximetry Signal Processing Identifies REM Sleep-Related Vulnerability Trait in Asthmatic Children

Abstract EN

Rationale.

The sleep-related factors that modulate the nocturnal worsening of asthma in children are poorly understood.

This study addressed the hypothesis that asthmatic children have a REM sleep-related vulnerability trait that is independent of OSA.

Methods.

We conducted a retrospective cross-sectional analysis of pulse-oximetry signals obtained during REM and NREM sleep in control and asthmatic children (n=134).

Asthma classification was based on preestablished clinical criteria.

Multivariate linear regression model was built to control for potential confounders (significance level P≤0.05).

Results.

Our data demonstrated that (1) baseline nocturnal respiratory parameters were not significantly different in asthmatic versus control children, (2) the maximal % of SaO2 desaturation during REM, but not during NREM, was significantly higher in asthmatic children, and (3) multivariate analysis revealed that the association between asthma and REM-related maximal % SaO2 desaturation was independent of demographic variables.

Conclusion.

These results demonstrate that children with asthma have a REM-related vulnerability trait that impacts oxygenation independently of OSA.

Further research is needed to delineate the REM sleep neurobiological mechanisms that modulate the phenotypical expression of nocturnal asthma in children.