LaDeana Smedlund, APRN, Dr. Radu Neamu, and Jennifer Miller, PhD, APRN of Nebraska Pulmonary Specialties, have collaborated to showcase the dangers of e-cigarettes and the unfortunate expansion of use. Current policy does not address the severe dangers and implications this can have on public health.  Read here for more information!

Comparisons of measures used to screen for obstructive sleep apnea in patients referred to a sleep clinic

Jennifer N. Miller a, *, Kevin A. Kupzyk b, 1, Lani Zimmerman b, 1, Bunny Pozehl b, 1, Paula Schulz b, 1, Debra Romberger b, 1, Ann M. Berger b, 1

a Nebraska Pulmonary Specialties, LLC, 1500 S. 48th St. #800, Lincoln, NE, 68506, USA
b The University of Nebraska Medical Center College of Nursing, 985330 Nebraska Medical Center, 4111 Dewey Avenue, Omaha, NE, USA

link to study can be found here*

 

Study objectives: Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA) contributes to all-cause mortality. An American Academy
of Sleep Medicine task force is focusing on improving detection and categorization of OSA symptoms
and severity to promote screening, assessment, and diagnosis. The purpose of this study was to psychometrically
compare measures used in OSA screening (Berlin, Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS), STOP
Bang) and a portable sleep monitor (PSM) to apnea-hypopnea index (AHI) and levels from polysomnogram
(PSG).
Methods: An observational, cross-sectional design was used. Patients referred to a sleep specialist were
enrolled at initial sleep evaluation. Participants completed measures used in OSA screening, then sent
home for one night using PSM. PSGs were ordered by the physician and AHI results were obtained from
the medical record.
Results: Participants (N ¼ 170) were enrolled in the study. Almost all participants completed the OSA
measures, approximately half-completed PSM measurement, and the majority completed laboratory
PSG. The STOP Bang had the highest levels of sensitivity; the ESS had the lowest. The ESS had the highest
specificity and reliability levels; the STOP Bang had the lowest. The PSM measure had the highest positive
predictive value (PPV) and the strongest psychometric properties of the screening measures.
Conclusions: The STOP Bang was the preferred self-report OSA screening measure because of high levels
of sensitivity. The ESS was the least desirable measure. PSM measurement consistently predicted the
presence of OSA but at the expense of low sensitivity at AHI levels 30. This expands the knowledge of
validity testing of screening measures used for OSA.
© 2018 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

How to Manage Your Severe Asthma

Vinay Mehta, MD & John Trapp, MD

https://www.bryanhealth.com/bryan-health-radio/?item=35728

*Courtesy of Bryan Health

 

Doctors at Bryan Medical Center are the first in Nebraska to perform an innovative new procedure for severe asthma patients called bronchial thermoplasty (BT). It is an outpatient procedure for adults whose asthma is not controlled with medications.

In this segment, Dr. John Trapp, pulmonologist with Nebraska Pulmonary Specialties and Dr. Vinay Mehta, allergist-immunologist with Allergy, Asthma and Immunology Associates, discuss how Bryan Medical Center offers innovative severe asthma treatment with proven results that include fewer visits to the ED and fewer asthma attacks so that you can start enjoying life.

News Channel Nebraska’s Grant Otten brings another Meet the Docs segment featuring Dr. Kevin Reichmuth.