COPD/sleep apnea overlap syndrome: $100,000 grant from ResMed, ATS Foundation

July 15, 2019 – David Geoffrey Chapman, BSc, PhD, of University of Technology in Sydney, Australia, has been awarded the new ATS Foundation/ResMed Research Fellowship in Sleep-disordered Breathing and PAP Therapy.

Dr. Chapman’s $100,000 award will support his research into how non-invasive ventilation (NIV) can help improve sleep for people with both obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), known as COPD/OSA Overlap Syndrome.

Specifically, Chapman will determine how effective various NIV settings are in addressing hyperinflation, the act of breathing at abnormally high lung volumes that is common in people with COPD. Hyperinflation reduces the function of the diaphragm, the predominant muscle for breathing during sleep, and is correlated to reduced sleep quality in a pilot study, also by Chapman.

One in four people with COPD also have moderate to severe OSA, according to a 2017 study.

Depending on which polysomnographic features predominate, patients may present with a variety of daytime symptoms and clinical outcomes, ranging from insomnia to hypersomnia with and without cardiopulmonary complications. The ATS strongly advocates for further research into people with COPD/OSA Overlap Syndrome to better understand the relationship between the two diseases, optimize the definitions and equipment used to assess patients, and determine which therapy options are best for them.

“Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease is one of the leading causes of death in the U.S. and sleep-disordered breathing, which commonly occurs in patients with COPD, has been found to be a risk factor for premature death in this population,” said Sanjay Patel, MD, chair of the ATS Assembly on Sleep and Respiratory Neurobiology. “Through ResMed’s support, this new award will provide a much-needed source of funding for scientists such as Dr. Chapman to determine how to best treat sleep-disordered breathing in patients with COPD in order to improve their lives.”

“ResMed has sponsored rigorous scientific research for decades and is proud to support the ATS Foundation and Dr. Chapman in this important new study,” said Carlos M. Nunez, MD, ResMed’s Chief Medical Officer. “The more that researchers can confirm how sleep apnea and comorbid conditions interact to affect patients’ health, the more focused and motivated the medical community should be to identify those who are suffering and get them screened, diagnosed, and effectively treated as soon as possible.”

ResMed (NYSE: RMD, ASX: RMD) is a global leader in cloud-connectable devices for treating sleep apnea, COPD and other chronic diseases.

The application process for the next cycle of grant opportunities will open on July 24, 2019. Interested applicants should visit the ATS Foundation website to learn more.

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Since its inception, the ATS Foundation Research Program has awarded $19.3 million to 263 investigators, both in the U.S. and internationally. These researchers have gone on to receive $330 million in federal funding. That’s a return on investment of $17 per dollar awarded. Without this “seed” support, these researchers may not have received their subsequent grants, advancing our understanding of diseases in pulmonary, critical care and sleep. You can learn more about our most recent awardees here.

At ResMed (NYSE: RMD, ASX: RMD) we pioneer innovative solutions that treat and keep people out of the hospital, empowering them to live healthier, higher-quality lives. Our cloud-connected medical devices transform care for people with sleep apnea, COPD and other chronic diseases. Our comprehensive out-of-hospital software platforms support the professionals and caregivers who help people stay healthy in the home or care setting of their choice. By enabling better care, we improve quality of life, reduce the impact of chronic disease and lower costs for consumers and healthcare systems in more than 120 countries. To learn more, visit ResMed.com and follow @ResMed.