Accelerometer-derived sleep metrics in mild and difficult-to-treat asthma

Varun Sharma; Helen Clare Ricketts; Femke Steffensen; Anna Goodfellow; Duncan S Buchan; Douglas C Cowan

doi:10.1186/s13223-024-00874-y

Accelerometer-derived sleep metrics in mild and difficult-to-treat asthma

Allergy Asthma Clin Immunol. 2024 Jan 14;20(1):5. doi: 10.1186/s13223-024-00874-y.

Authors

Varun Sharma^{1

2

3}, Helen Clare Ricketts^{4

5}, Femke Steffensen⁵, Anna Goodfellow⁵, Duncan S Buchan⁶, Douglas C Cowan^{4

5

7}

Affiliations

¹ Institute of Infection, Immunity and Inflammation, College of Medical, Veterinary & Life Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, UK. varun.sharma2@nhs.scot.
² Glasgow Royal Infirmary, Clinical Research Facility, Glasgow, UK. varun.sharma2@nhs.scot.
³ Respiratory Department, Glasgow Royal Infirmary, 84 Castle Street, Walton Building, Fourth Floor, Glasgow, G4 0SF, UK. varun.sharma2@nhs.scot.
⁴ Institute of Infection, Immunity and Inflammation, College of Medical, Veterinary & Life Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, UK.
⁵ Glasgow Royal Infirmary, Clinical Research Facility, Glasgow, UK.
⁶ Division of Sport and Exercise, School of Health and Life Sciences, University of the West of Scotland, Glasgow, UK.
⁷ Respiratory Department, Glasgow Royal Infirmary, 84 Castle Street, Walton Building, Fourth Floor, Glasgow, G4 0SF, UK.

Abstract

Introduction: Poor sleep health is associated with increased asthma morbidity and mortality. Accelerometers have been validated to assess sleep parameters though studies using this method in patients with asthma are sparse and none have compared mild to difficult-to-treat asthma populations.

Methods: We performed a retrospective analysis from two recent in-house trials comparing sleep metrics between patients with mild and difficult-to-treat asthma. Participants wore accelerometers for 24-hours/day for seven days.

Results: Of 124 participants (44 mild, 80 difficult-to-treat), no between-group differences were observed in sleep-window, sleep-time, sleep efficiency or wake time. Sleep-onset time was ~ 40 min later in the difficult-to-treat group (p = 0.019).

Discussion: Broadly, we observed no difference in accelerometer-derived sleep-metrics between mild and difficult-to-treat asthma. This is the largest analysis of accelerometer-derived sleep parameters in asthma and the first comparing groups by asthma severity. Sleep-onset initiation may be delayed in difficult-to-treat asthma but a dedicated study is needed to confirm.

Keywords: Accelerometers; Asthma; Difficult asthma; Severe asthma; Sleep medicine.

Publication types

Letter