Sleep Disordered Breathing

Sleep-disordered breathing (SDB) occurs in 2% to 4% of the non-disabled adult population and is characterized by periods of complete breathing cessation (apnea) or marked reductions in airflow (hypopnea) during sleep. By contrast, the diagnosis of SDB affects as many as 83% of persons with tetraplegia within one year of their injury. While some consider daytime somnolescence from poor sleep quality a 'tolerable annoyance', SDB can decrease near-term physical performance and mental alertness, decay memory and intellectual processing, invoke mood disturbances, decrease healthrelated quality of life(HRQoL), and cause vehicular or occupational injury. Recurrent sleep arousal is now strongly associated with cardiometabolic (CM) component risks including insulin resistance, obesity, inflammatory stress, and endothelial dysfunction. Despite considerable advancements in understanding and treating SDB - including favored use of positive airway pressure (PAP) - an evidence base sufficient to warrant routine evaluation and treatment of SDB and related sleep disorders remains elusive for those with spinal cord injury (SCI). To address these knowledge and treatment shortcomings the investigators will conduct a hypothesis-driven study with specific aims that will: 1) describe by stakeholder survey the clinically-relevant determinants of sleep quality in persons with chronic tetraplegia, 2) assess clinical features and co-morbid risks associated with SDB in persons with tetraplegia, and 3) determine in persons with tetraplegia having SDB whether treatment using PAP reduces health risks and improves HRQoL. Hypothesis 1 will be tested using data derived from a website survey.