European Sleep Apnea Database

European Sleep Apnea Database
Formation	2006
Type	Collaborative database
Headquarters
Membership
Language
Leader title
Leader name
Website

The European Sleep Apnea Database (ESADA), also referred to as the European Sleep Apnoea Database or the European Sleep Apnoea Cohort, is a collaboration between European sleep centers as part of the European Cooperation in Science and Technology (COST) Action B 26. The main contractor of the project is the Sahlgrenska Academy at Gothenburg University, Institute of Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, and the coordinator is Jan Hedner, MD, PhD, Professor of Sleep Medicine.

History

2006 - 2010

• In 2006, ESADA began as an initiative between 27 European sleep study facilities to combine information and compile it into one shared resource. It was formed as part of the European Cooperation in Science and Technology (COST) Action B 26. In addition to financial help from COST, the initiative received assistance from companies Philips Respironics and ResMed. The database storing the association's resource information is located in Gothenburg, Sweden. The group's goal was twofold: to serve as a reference guide to those researching sleep disorders, and to compile information about how different caregivers treat patients suffering from sleep apnea.
• From March 2007 to August 2009, 5,103 patients were tracked. Data collected on these patients included symptoms suffered, medication, medical history, and sleep data, all inputted into an online format for further analysis. Database researchers reported on their methodology and results in 2010 to the American Thoracic Society, on their observed findings regarding percentages of metabolic and cardiovascular changes related to patients with obstructive sleep apnea. The 2010 research resulted from collaboration between 22 study centers across 16 countries in Europe involving 27 researchers.

2011 - present

• In 2011, there were 22 sleep disorder centers in Europe involved in the collaboration. The group published research in 2011 analyzing the percentage of patients suffering from sleep apnea that have obesity. By 2012, the database maintained information on over 12,500 patients in Europe; it also contained DNA samples of 2,600 individuals. ESADA was represented in 2012 at the 21st annual meeting of the European Sleep Research Society in Paris, France, and was one of four European Sleep Research Networks that held a session at the event.
• In 2013, the database added a center in Hamburg, Germany managed by physician Holger Hein. The group's annual meeting in 2013 was held in Edinburgh, United Kingdom and was run by Renata Riha. By March 2013, there were approximately 13,000 total patients being studied in the program, with about 200 additional patients being added into the database each month. Analysis published by researchers from Italy and Sweden in September 2013 in the European Respiratory Journal analyzed if there was a correlation between renal function problems and obstructive sleep apnea.
• As of March 2014, the database included information on a total of 15,956 patients. A 2014 article in the European Respiratory Journal drawing from the ESADA analyzed whether lack of adequate oxygen during a night's sleep was an indicator for high blood pressure.

Reception

• In the 2013 book Clinical Genomics: Practical Applications for Adult Patient Care, ESADA is said to be an example of the kind of initiative which affords an "excellent opportunity" for future collaborative research into genetic aspects of obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS). Both the European Respiratory Society and the European Sleep Research Society have noted the impact for research cooperative efforts of the database resource.

[[Category:European Sleep Apnea Database

Sleep Apnea and Cardiovascular Risk

• Researchers have used ESADA data to investigate the relationship between sleep apnea and cardiovascular risk. The results of these studies have contributed to a better understanding of the mechanisms linking sleep apnea with an increased risk of cardiovascular diseases, such as hypertension, heart attack, and stroke.

Sleep Apnea and Metabolic Disorders

• ESADA has also been involved in research examining the connection between sleep apnea and metabolic disorders, such as obesity and diabetes. These studies have provided insight into the potential role of sleep apnea in the development and progression of these disorders, as well as the possible benefits of sleep apnea treatment in patients with metabolic conditions.

Sleep Apnea and Cognitive Function

• Another area of focus for ESADA researchers is the impact of sleep apnea on cognitive function. Studies using data from the database have explored the relationship between sleep apnea severity and cognitive performance, as well as the potential benefits of sleep apnea treatment on cognitive outcomes.

Future Directions

• As ESADA continues to grow and evolve, it is expected to play a crucial role in advancing sleep apnea research and improving the care of patients with this condition. By fostering collaboration among sleep researchers across Europe and beyond, ESADA will continue to contribute to the development of new diagnostic tools, treatment options, and prevention strategies for sleep apnea.