The main goal of this prospective pre-post implementation study is to investigate how a structured testing and treatment program for obstructive sleep apnea using the NOX T3s device and a Fitbit smartwatch with the FibriCheck algorithm impacts the proportion of atrial fibrillation (AF) in an AF population. Participants will wear the NOX T3s respiratory polygraphy device for one night at home. In case of a positive obstructive sleep apnea diagnosis, patients will be referred to the sleep clinic for a polysomnography examination. Patients positively diagnosed with polygraph will be monitored semi-continuously with the Fitbit smartwatch for three months. After the polysomnography examination, the positively diagnosed patients will be monitored semi-continuously for another three months after initiation of treatment (mostly continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) treatment). Additionally, patients will be administered satisfaction, symptom burden and alcohol consumption questionnaires twice: right after the polysomnography examination and after the 3-month treatment.
Atrial fibrillation (AF) is the most prevalent arrhythmia globally. Research has shown that AF is associated with various risk factors such as hypertension, diabetes, obesity, and obstructive sleep apnea. Obstructive sleep apnea is a sleep-disordered breathing condition that is highly prevalent in AF patients, contributing to the development and progression of AF. Despite the high prevalence of obstructive sleep apnea in AF patients (about 62%), it often goes underrecognized and underdiagnosed. Lack of symptom reporting and easily accessible screening tools and strategies contribute to this underdiagnosis. The standard diagnostic method is through polysomnography, which, while effective, has drawbacks such as high costs, labor intensity, and time-consuming nature, making it challenging to use as a screening tool. (Cardio)respiratory polygraphy devices, such as the NOX-T3s, are gaining interest for obstructive sleep apnea detection due to their user-friendly nature, comfort, convenience, and home useability. A previous validation study showed that the NOX-T3s polygraphy device had high accuracy, sensitivity, and specificity and was also the most user-friendly for obstructive sleep apnea detection in AF patients. Besides the screening, retrospective research has shown that obstructive sleep apnea treatment with the gold standard method, continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP), positively influences AF recurrence through improved antiarrhythmic therapy. Current literature suggests early obstructive sleep apnea diagnosis, followed by early CPAP treatment, could reduce AF recurrence. However, prospective studies supporting this are lacking. Therefore, additional information on the heart rhythm of AF patients, monitored in a (semi)-continuous manner before and after treatment initiation, would be valuable to investigate if treatment (mostly CPAP) leads to a reduction in AF events. However, implementing a care pathway using the NOX T3s for structured obstructive sleep apnea testing and the Fitbit Versa smartwatch with the FibriCheck algorithm for the follow-up of AF recurrence in standard clinical care in an AF population still needs to be evaluated.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
NA
Purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
NONE
Enrollment
209
This home-based device enables the detection of obstructive sleep apnea by calculating the apnea hypopnea index (AHI).
Polysomnography allows both sleep and respiration monitoring during an overnight stay in a dedicated sleep clinic.
Devices can be used to deliver CPAP, BiPAP, or ASV treatment to open up the airways, making breathing during sleep possible.
The smartwatch enables the semi-continuous monitoring of the heart rhythm via the installed FibriCheck algorithm.
University Hospital of Antwerp
Edegem, Belgium
RECRUITINGJessa Hospital
Hasselt, Belgium
RECRUITINGAF burden before and after CPAP treatment
The AF burden will be measured via semi-continuous FibriCheck measurements via a Fitbit smartwatch.
Time frame: During the entire duration of the study (2 periods of 3 months)
Obstructive sleep apnea severity agreement between polygraphy and polysomnography
The obstructive sleep apnea severity agreement between the NOX T3s polygraphy device and the in-hospital polysomnography examination will be assessed by evaluating AHI values.
Time frame: Result known after polysomnography examination, on average 6 weeks after the polysomnography examination
False positive rate of polygraphy
The false positive rate will be calculated using a polygraphy apnea-hypopnea index value for referral to the sleep clinic compared to polysomnography
Time frame: Result known after polysomnography examination, on average 6 weeks after the polysomnography examination
Total sleep apnea burden
The total sleep apnea burden will be measured by the CPAP/BiPAP/ASV device
Time frame: On average 3 months after initiation of obstructive sleep apnea treatment
CPAP/BiPAP/ASV compliance
CPAP/BiPAP/ASV compliance will be read out from the device.
Time frame: On average 3 months after initiation of obstructive sleep apnea treatment
Sleep score
The sleep score will be determined based on Fitbit data. The score is based on sleep duration, sleep quality, and restoration. The minimum value is 0 and the maximum value is 100. The higher the value, the better the overall sleep efficiency.
Time frame: 3 months after first and after second period of semi-continuous monitoring with Fitbit smartwatch
Patients' AF-related symptom burden, assessed by the Leuven ARrhythmia Questionnaire (LARQ)
The Leuven ARrhythmia Questionnaire (LARQ) will be used to assess the AF symptom profile based on six symptoms: palpitations, dyspnea, chest pain, syncope, dizziness, and fatigue. The minimum score is 0 and maximum score is 100. The higher the score, the more pronounced the symptom burden.(LARQ) before and after treatment.
Time frame: Right after the polysomnography examination and 3 months after obstructive sleep apnea treatment
Patients' obstructive sleep apnea-related symptom burden, assessed by the Berlin Questionnaire (BQ)
The Berlin Questionnaire (BQ) will be used to assess the risk of sleep apnea focusing on 3 OSA symptoms (snoring, daytime sleepiness, and obesity/hypertension). For the first two symptoms, the category is positive if 2 points or more are given. The last category is positive if the patient has obesity and/or hypertension.
Time frame: Right after the polysomnography examination and 3 months after obstructive sleep apnea treatment
Patients' obstructive sleep apnea-related symptom burden, assessed by the Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS)
The Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS) will be used to assess the overall daytime sleepiness in eight situations. Minimum score is 0 and the maximum score is 24. The higher the score, the higher the chance for daytime sleepiness.
Time frame: Right after the polysomnography examination and 3 months after obstructive sleep apnea treatment
Polygraphy negative patients
The number of polygraphy-negative patients in a general AF population will be calculated.
Time frame: 24 hours after the one-time use of the polygraphy device
Patients' alcohol consumption assessed by the Alcohol Use Disorder Identification Test-Consumption (AUDIT-C) supplemented with four additional questions related to alcohol consumption
This questionnaire on alcohol consumption includes the Alcohol Use Disorder Identification Test-Consumption (AUDIT-C) supplemented with four additional questions related to alcohol consumption. The AUDIT-C consists of three questions, which can help identify who may have an active alcohol use disorder. It is scored on a scale of 0 to 12 points, with 0 points indicating no alcohol use in the past year. A higher AUDIT-C score suggests a greater likelihood of adverse effects on the individual's health and safety. The four additional questions inquire about the weekly consumption of alcohol-containing drinks, the type of drinks, their effects on sleep, and their impact on AF symptoms.
Time frame: Right after the polysomnography examination and 3 months after obstructive sleep apnea treatment
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