Advances in Sleep-Disordered Breathing: Emerging Diagnostics, Innovative Therapies, and Special Populations

Dear Colleagues,

Sleep-disordered breathing (SDB), encompassing obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), central sleep apnea (CSA), obesity hypoventilation syndrome, and sleep-related hypoxemia, affects hundreds of millions globally and is increasingly recognized as a significant contributor to cardiovascular, metabolic, neurocognitive, and mental health disorders. Despite notable advances in understanding disease mechanisms, a substantial proportion of patients remain undiagnosed or undertreated. Furthermore, emerging evidence indicates that SDB manifests differently across age groups, sexes, ethnicities, and patient populations, underscoring the necessity for more personalized diagnostic and therapeutic strategies.

Recent advancements in digital health, wearable sensors, artificial intelligence (AI), machine learning, remote monitoring technologies, and advanced home sleep testing systems are reshaping the diagnostic landscape. Concurrently, novel therapies such as hypoglossal nerve stimulation, pharmacological interventions, GLP-1 receptor agonists, myofunctional therapy, advanced positive airway pressure modalities, and telemedicine-supported care are broadening treatment options beyond conventional CPAP therapy. These innovations create opportunities to address the heterogeneity of SDB and improve outcomes for patients with complex comorbidities, including obesity, cardiovascular disease, diabetes mellitus, chronic respiratory disorders, neurological diseases, psychiatric conditions, and cancer.

This Special Issue seeks to present and disseminate recent advances in the diagnosis, phenotyping, and management of sleep-disordered breathing across diverse populations and clinical settings. Submissions of original research, reviews, clinical trials and real-world evidence are encouraged, particularly those focusing on innovative diagnostic technologies, emerging therapeutic interventions, and personalized approaches to care.

Topics of Interest

Novel Diagnostic Approaches

• Artificial intelligence and machine learning in sleep medicine;
• Wearable technologies and digital biomarkers;
• Advances in home sleep apnea testing;
• Novel physiological metrics beyond AHI;
• Hypoxic burden and cardiovascular risk assessment;
• Remote monitoring and telemedicine;
• Precision phenotyping and endotyping.

Emerging Therapeutic Modalities

• GLP-1 receptor agonists and weight-loss therapies;
• Hypoglossal nerve stimulation;
• Oral appliance therapy and combination treatments;
• Myofunctional therapy;
• Advanced PAP technologies and adaptive servo-ventilation;
• Pharmacological treatment of OSA and CSA;
• Personalized and multimodal treatment strategies.

Sleep-Disordered Breathing in Specific Populations

• Women across the lifespan (pregnancy, menopause, aging);
• Pediatric and adolescent populations;
• Older adults and frailty;
• Athletes and physically active populations;
• Patients with genetic and craniofacial syndromes;
• Occupational and shift-working populations.

Sleep-Disordered Breathing and Comorbidities

• Obesity and metabolic syndrome;
• Type 2 diabetes mellitus;
• Cardiovascular diseases (hypertension, heart failure, atrial fibrillation, coronary artery disease);
• Stroke and cerebrovascular disease;
• Asthma, Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and overlap syndrome;
• Other respiratory diseases (cystic fibrosis);
• Neuromuscular disorders;
• Neurodegenerative diseases (Parkinson's disease, Alzheimer's disease);
• Epilepsy and neurological disorders;
• Chronic kidney disease;
• Cancer and survivorship;
• Psychiatric disorders (depression, anxiety, PTSD);
• Long COVID and post-viral syndromes.

Dr. Athanasia Pataka
Guest Editor

Manuscript Submission Information

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• sleep-disordered breathing
• obstructive sleep apnea
• central sleep apnea
• precision medicine
• artificial intelligence
• wearable technologies
• digital health
• phenotyping
• hypoglossal nerve stimulation
• GLP-1 receptor agonists
• cardio-vascular disease
• obesity
• diabetes
• neurological disorders
• women's health
• pediatric sleep medicine
• telemedicine
• multimorbidity