Researcher studies sleep apnea's effects on metabolism, heart disease using machine learning and wearable health devices
U-M biostatistician Irina Gaynanova awarded $1.8M to develop advanced health monitoring methods
A University of Michigan School of Public Health researcher has received $1.78 million to investigate how treating sleep apnea impacts diabetes and cardiovascular health.
Irina Gaynanova, an associate professor of Biostatistics, will analyze data from wearable health devices to better understand the connections between obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) and other health conditions. While research shows that OSA—the most common sleep-related breathing disorder—is linked to metabolic syndrome, scientists aren't sure exactly how treating it with positive airway pressure (PAP) therapy affects blood sugar levels and heart health.
To solve this puzzle, Gaynanova will develop new machine learning techniques to analyze data from continuous glucose monitors and blood pressure devices that patients wear throughout the day. These advanced statistical methods will help make sense of the complex information these devices collect.
"I am drawn to biostatistics for its potential to improve human lives," said Gaynanova. "By advancing methods for analyzing data from wearable devices, we can better understand the interplay between sleep apnea, diabetes and cardiovascular health, ultimately improving outcomes for patients living with these chronic conditions."
This five-year project, funded by the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, could lead to more personalized treatment approaches for people who have OSA along with type 2 diabetes or cardiovascular conditions. Gaynanova will collaborate with Naresh Punjabi, MD of the University of Miami on the research. This is Gaynanova's first R01 grant from the National Institutes of Health.
Funding: National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute grant 1R01HL172785-0
Media Contact
Destiny Cook
PR and Communications ManagerUniversity of Michigan School of Public Health734-647-8650