Publications by authors named "Sarah Appleton"

Introduction: Type 2 diabetes (T2D) shows bidirectional relationships with polysomnographic measures. However, no studies have searched systematically for novel polysomnographic biomarkers of T2D. We therefore investigated if state-of-the-art explainable machine learning (ML) models could identify new polysomnographic biomarkers predictive of incident T2D.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Context: A suboptimal diet is a leading factor in the current burden of chronic diseases. In Australia, dietary factors contribute to one-fifth of the chronic disease burden. Understanding the dietary patterns of Australian adults and summarizing their effects on chronic conditions are imperative for improving interventions targeting dietary behaviors.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Breast implants were first introduced in the 1960s and have long been used for augmentation and reconstructive breast surgery. More recently, fat grafting for breast augmentation has gained popularity due to the 'natural' outcome and lack of implant-related complications. The aim of this study was to conduct a systematic review and meta-analysis comparing patient-related outcome measures between fat grafting and implant-based primary augmentation using the validated BREAST-Q questionnaire.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Purpose: The Functional External Memory Aid Tool (FEMAT) is a performance-based measure of applied cognitive-linguistic abilities and attempted use of compensatory aids and strategies (e.g., using a calendar to recall an appointment) through completion of simulated everyday living tasks.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

The deep inferior epigastric perforator artery (DIEP) free flap is the most commonly performed autologous breast reconstruction. Despite the relative reduction in donor site complications compared to nonmuscle-sparing options, there is still high morbidity associated with this surgery. The purpose of this study is to compare outcomes and complications at our institution and to discuss potential quality improvement initiatives.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF
Article Synopsis
  • The study investigates the link between obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) and the development of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) over an 8.3-year period among men who were initially free of diabetes.
  • Out of 824 participants from the MAILES study, 52 (9.7%) were diagnosed with T2DM, and initial associations between OSA metrics and T2DM weakened after adjusting for factors like baseline glucose and testosterone levels.
  • Key findings include that individuals with lower mean oxygen saturation levels had a significantly higher risk of developing T2DM, while other metrics of sleep apnea showed no independent association once adjustments were made.
View Article and Find Full Text PDF
Article Synopsis
  • This study examined how men and women differ in their responses to cognitive behavioral therapy for insomnia (CBT-I), focusing on a large group of clinical participants.
  • Researchers reviewed patient charts, comparing symptoms and sleep patterns before and after treatment using several questionnaires, while also considering factors like age and body mass index (BMI).
  • Results showed that while females initially had worse insomnia symptoms than males, both sexes experienced significant improvements after CBT-I, though some differences in depressive symptoms were noted, which disappeared when adjusting for other variables.
View Article and Find Full Text PDF

UK guidelines recommend liraglutide 3.0 mg in adults treated within specialist weight management services with BMI ≥35 kg/m, prediabetes and high cardiovascular disease risk. We aimed to clinically evaluate liraglutide 3.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Snoring may be a risk factor for cardiovascular disease independent of other co-morbidities. However, most prior studies have relied on subjective, self-report, snoring evaluation. This study assessed snoring prevalence objectively over multiple months using in-home monitoring technology, and its association with hypertension prevalence.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) has been linked to cancer in several clinical and community-based cohorts. The effect in community-based studies free of clinical referral bias needs to be replicated. In this observational prospective cohort study, we pooled data from three community-based prospective cohorts (Uppsala Sleep and Health in Men cohort [UMEN]; Sleep and health in women [SHE]; Men Androgen Inflammation Lifestyle Environment and Stress Cohort [MAILES]; n = 1467).

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

We assessed: (1) the independent and joint association of obstructive sleep apnea risk and healthy lifestyle with common consequences (excessive daytime sleepiness, depression, cardiovascular disease and stroke) of obstructive sleep apnea; and (2) the effect of healthy lifestyle on survival in people with increased obstructive sleep apnea risk. Data from 13,694 adults (median age 46 years; 50% men) were used for cross-sectional and survival analyses (mortality over 15 years). A healthy lifestyle score with values from 0 (most unhealthy) to 5 (most healthy) was determined based on diet, alcohol intake, physical activity, smoking and body mass index.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Previous prospective studies examining associations of obstructive sleep apnea and sleep macroarchitecture with future cognitive function recruited older participants, many demonstrating baseline cognitive impairment. This study examined obstructive sleep apnea and sleep macroarchitecture predictors of visual attention, processing speed, and executive function after 8 years among younger community-dwelling men. Florey Adelaide Male Ageing Study participants (n = 477) underwent home-based polysomnography, with 157 completing Trail-Making Tests A and B and the Mini-Mental State Examination.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Background: Insomnia is a common issue among individuals with mental health conditions, yet the frequency of insomnia treatment remains unclear. The purpose of this study was to investigate the prevalence of probable insomnia, discussions regarding sleep with health professionals, and the utilisation of commonly delivered insomnia treatments in Australian adults diagnosed with mental health conditions.

Methods: This study represents a secondary analysis of data collected through a cross-sectional, national online survey conducted in 2019.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Objectives: Previous studies examining associations between sleep spindles and cognitive function attempted to account for obstructive sleep apnea without consideration for potential moderating effects. To elucidate associations between sleep spindles, cognitive function, and obstructive sleep apnea, this study of community-dwelling men examined cross-sectional associations between sleep spindle metrics and daytime cognitive function outcomes following adjustment for obstructive sleep apnea and potential obstructive sleep apnea moderating effects.

Methods: Florey Adelaide Male Ageing Study participants (n = 477, 41-87 years) reporting no previous obstructive sleep apnea diagnosis underwent home-based polysomnography (2010-2011).

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Purpose: Prospective studies examining associations between baseline sleep microarchitecture and future cognitive function recruited from small samples with predominantly short follow-up. This study examined sleep microarchitecture predictors of cognitive function (visual attention, processing speed, and executive function) after 8 years in community-dwelling men.

Patients And Methods: Florey Adelaide Male Ageing Study participants (n=477) underwent home-based polysomnography (2010-2011), with 157 completing baseline (2007-2010) and follow-up (2018-2019) cognitive assessments (trail-making tests A [TMT-A] and B [TMT-B] and the standardized mini-mental state examination [SMMSE]).

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Purpose: Little is known about sleep after a concussion, a form of mild traumatic brain injury. Given the importance of sleep for both maintaining brain health and recovery from injury, we sought to examine sleep acutely and subacutely after concussion.

Methods: Athletes who experienced a sports-related concussion were invited to participate.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF
Article Synopsis
  • Irregular sleep patterns, including changes in sleep duration and timing, may increase the risk of hypertension, as indicated by a study involving over 12,000 adults.
  • The study found that disruptions in sleep duration were linked to a 9% to 17% increase in hypertension risk, while specific timing irregularities like late sleep onset resulted in a 32% increase in hypertension.
  • These results suggest that both sleep irregularity in duration and timing are important factors for cardiovascular health, warranting further research on their effects on blood pressure and heart health.
View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Primary snoring impacts a significant portion of the adult population and has the potential to significantly impair quality of life. The purpose of these guidelines is to provide evidence-based recommendations to assist Australasian practitioners in the management of adult patients who present with primary snoring without significant obstructive sleep apnoea. The Timetable, Methodology and Standards by which this Position Statement has been established is outlined in the Appendix S1.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Purpose: Insomnia symptoms and sleep apnea frequently co-occur and are associated with worse sleep, daytime function, mental health and quality of life, compared to either insomnia or obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) alone. This study aimed to investigate the association of symptoms of co-morbid insomnia and sleep apnea (COMISA) with all-cause mortality.

Patients And Methods: Wisconsin Sleep Cohort data were analysed to assess potential associations between COMISA symptoms and all-cause mortality.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Research with 'good sleepers' is ubiquitous, yet there are no standardised criteria to identify a 'good sleeper'. The present study aimed to create and validate a questionnaire for identifying good sleepers for use in research studies known as the Good Sleeper Scale-15 items (GSS-15). Data were derived from a population-based survey of Australian adults (n = 2,044).

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Background: Sleep difficulties are common in people with multiple sclerosis (MS), but whether associations between poor sleep quality and quality of life are independent of MS symptoms, obesity and other MS-related factors remains unclear.

Methods: Cross-sectional analyses of data from the Australian MS Longitudinal Study (n=1717). Sleep was assessed using the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index, Epworth Sleepiness Scale and International Restless Legs Syndrome Study Group Rating Scale; health-related quality of life using the Assessment of Quality-of-Life 8-D.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Background Poor sleep quality is associated with increased incident hypertension. However, few studies have investigated the impact of objective sleep structure parameters on hypertension. This study investigated the association between sleep macrostructural and microstructural parameters and incident hypertension in a middle- to older-aged sample.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Study Objectives: To determine if a novel EEG-derived continuous index of sleep depth/alertness, the odds ratio product (ORP), predicts self-reported daytime sleepiness and poor sleep quality in two large population-based cohorts.

Methods: ORP values which range from 0 (deep sleep) to 2.5 (fully alert) were calculated in 3s intervals during awake periods (ORPwake) and NREM sleep (ORPNREM) determined from home sleep studies in the HypnoLaus (N = 2162: 1106 females, 1056 males) and men androgen inflammation lifestyle environment and stress (MAILES) cohorts (N = 754 males).

View Article and Find Full Text PDF