Poor Sleep Quality Linked to COPD Exacerbations
Fresh assessments from the Canadian Cohort Obstructive Lung Disease (CanCOLD) seem to suggest that patients with worsened metrics for baseline sleep quality are at a greater risk of long-term chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) exacerbations.
Investigators from McGill University in Montreal led a new study, which provides an ongoing analysis of more than 2,000 random subjects from Canada with mild to severe COPD. The research is designed to better understand the characterizations of the chronic pulmonary condition, and how patient response may influence of individual factors.
Per the report, previous trials associated with COPD showed an increase of sleep disturbance. This can exacerbate the notion that poor sleep quality may also drive an increased rate of respiratory symptoms in patients.
When evaluating the relationship between sleep quality and COPD exacerbation, researchers reviewed data from 480 participants who had completed an 18-month follow-up assessment period. Sleep quality was measured using patient Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) and three-factor scores at baseline.
Researchers also reviewed symptom-based and event-based exacerbations, including dyspnea, sputum change, and medication or unscheduled health services uses. Of the 480 patients, 185 had at least one exacerbation during the 18-month follow-up, and 203 were found to experience poor sleep quality.
Investigators concluded baseline poor sleep quality increased patient risk for COPD exacerbation over at least 18 months. Thus, treating comorbid sleep conditions could result in reduced exacerbations, benefiting the patients’ respiratory and sleep health.
