SUMMARY
The research of Kara Dupuy-McCauley, M.D., focuses on improving the diagnosis and treatment of sleep-disordered breathing, particularly central sleep apnea, and the nuanced classification of hypopneas. She studies visual methods to differentiate obstructive and central hypopneas and explores behavioral and health coaching strategies to support weight loss and respiratory health in patients with obesity-related lung disease.
Dr. Dupuy-McCauley contributes to clinical guideline development and consensus efforts for sleep apnea and perioperative management of people with sleep disorders, reflecting her broader commitment to translating research into practice. Through qualitative and clinical studies, she aims to enhance individualized care and address complex interactions among obesity, sleep pathology and pulmonary health.
Focus areas
- Central sleep apnea and hypopnea classification. Dr. Dupuy-McCauley investigates improved methods for diagnosing central sleep apnea, including the visual and physiological classification of hypopneas, to better distinguish central and obstructive events.
- Obesity and respiratory health. Dr. Dupuy-McCauley explores how obesity contributes to pulmonary conditions and sleep disorders, focusing on dyspnea, hypoventilation and the intersection of obesity with chronic lung disease.
- Behavioral interventions in sleep medicine. She designs and evaluates behavioral interventions, including health coaching, to support weight loss and treatment adherence in patients with sleep-related breathing conditions.
- Sleep-related care in distinct populations. Dr. Dupuy-McCauley contributes to clinical guidance and consensus efforts on sleep apnea management in patients who have had surgery or have heart failure, helping to shape multidisciplinary standards of care.
Significance to patient care
Dr. Dupuy-McCauley works to improve how healthcare professionals find and treat sleep-related breathing conditions, especially central sleep apnea. She studies ways to accurately tell the difference between different types of breathing pauses during sleep, which helps ensure patients get the right treatment. She also looks at how weight, sleep and breathing are connected, and how personalized support — such as health coaching — can help people make healthy changes. Her goal is to make care more accurate, more effective and better tailored to each patient's needs.