CPAP compliance in patients with obstructive sleep apnea syndrome

Obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS) is characterized by repeated cessations of breathing during sleep. Major symptoms of this disease are excessive daytime sleepiness, snoring, and witnessed apnea. Most of the patients are treated with CPAP. In this study, we aimed to evaluate the factors affecting adherence to the CPAP treatment. Seventy-one patients were enrolled to this study. Patients were divided into three groups according to CPAP usage. Group I consisted of patients who had never used CPAP, group II consisted of patients who had used CPAP occasionally, and group-III patients had used CPAP treatment regularly. Group-III patients had higher apnea–hypopnea index (AHI) than groups I and II (respectively, 56.6 ± 27.7, 26.3 ± 7.5, and 32.3 ± 7.06; p < 0.000 for both). Oxygen desaturation index was significantly higher in group-III patients comparing to groups I and II (44.6 ± 22.3, 15.9 ± 8.3, and 25.6 ± 9.5; p < 0.000 for all). Our findings have shown that only very severe patients use the CPAP device regularly (mean AHI 56.6 ± 27.7). Compliance to CPAP treatment seemed to be poor in patients with moderate to severe, AHI about 30, OSAS. Considering the well-established benefits of CPAP treatment in patients with true indications, patients should be encouraged to use CPAP regularly, and complications of OSAS should be keynoted.     

Maxillofacial surgery and nasal CPAP. A comparison of treatment for obstructive sleep apnea syndrome

Nasal continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) is the primary therapy for obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS). Recent reports have indicated, however, that there is a small but significant number of failures related to patient compliance. Primary surgical treatment, which has been uvulopalatopharyngoplasty (UPPP), has declined because of poor results. A reviewed of UPPP failures has shown that while UPPP eliminated palatal obstruction, it failed to eliminate base of tongue obstruction. Maxillofacial surgery has been reported as treatment of OSAS by correcting base of tongue obstruction. Thirty patients with severe OSAS were evaluated to compare nasal CPAP and maxillofacial surgery. The goal was to determine if our surgical protocol was as effective as nasal CPAP. All patients initially underwent baseline diagnostic polysomnography to document OSAS. A nasal CPAP study was performed to determine the appropriate positive end-expiratory pressure. The patients in this study were using nasal CPAP, but they found it unacceptable as long-term treatment and elected surgery. Maxillofacial surgery consisted of maxillary, mandibular, and hyoid advancement. Polysomnography was performed six months following surgery and compared with the night 2 CPAP results. The parameters included in the investigation were the respiratory disturbance index (RDI), lowest SaO2, number of SaO2 falls below 90 percent, total sleep time (TST), REM sleep percent, stage 3-4 sleep percent, and wake after sleep onset. The mean RDI before treatment was 72.0 (SD 25.7). After completing therapy, the RDI from surgery and CPAP was 8.8 (SD 6.0) and 8.6 (SD 4.1), respectively. The mean low SaO2 prior to treatment was 61.0 (SD 13.5), and the CPAP results and postsurgical results were 86.2 (SD 5.5) and 86.1 (SD 4.2), respectively. An analysis of variance was used to examine the results, and there was no statistical difference between nasal CPAP and surgery for all respiratory variables.     

Transtracheal oxygen, nasal CPAP and nasal oxygen in five patients with obstructive sleep apnea.

The effect of transtracheal oxygen administration by means of a 9-French (2.7 mm) percutaneous catheter was assessed in five patients with severe obstructive sleep apnea. We hypothesized that the delivery of oxygen below the site of airway obstruction should reduce the arterial oxygen desaturation during apneas and hypopneas, thereby increasing respiratory stability. Standard sleep and respiratory measurements were recorded in these subjects with all-night polysomnography on nonconsecutive nights during four experimental conditions: room air (BL), nasal continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP), nasal O2 (NC O2), and transtracheal O2 (TT O2). In three of these subjects, room air was infused (TT RA) at flow rates comparable to TT O2. Compared with baseline room air measurements, TT O2 not only significantly increased the SaO2 nadir from 70.4 percent to 89.7 percent (p less than 0.01), but it also reduced the frequency of sleep apnea/hypopnea from 64.6 to 26.2/h sleep (p less than 0.01). NC O2 ameliorated desaturation during apnea/hypopnea (mean SaO2 nadir, 86.2 percent; p less than .01) but did not significantly alter frequency (59.0/h sleep). Nasal CPAP was the most effective means of reducing sleep apnea/hypopnea (13.8/h sleep) but did not abolish desaturations when apneas occurred (mean SaO2 nadir, 80.0 percent). Compared with oxygen, transtracheal infusion of room air appeared to be somewhat effective; however, the small number of studies with TT RA precluded statistical analysis. We believe that TT O2 is superior to NC O2 for some patients with obstructive sleep apnea because continuous oxygen flow below the site of airway obstruction more reliably prevents alveolar hypoxia and respiration is stabilized. Infusion of air or oxygen through the tracheal catheter flow may also increase mean airway pressure and reduce obstructive apnea similar to nasal CPAP. We conclude that TT O2 may be an effective alternative mode of therapy for some patients with severe sleep apnea/hypopnea when nasal CPAP is not tolerated or when combined oxygen and nasal CPAP are required.     

Effect of nasal valve dilation on effective CPAP level in obstructive sleep apnea

Nasal problems are frequent at high continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP). We hypothesized that a reduction of the nasal resistance reduces CPAP and investigated the effect of a nasal valve dilator (Nozovent) on CPAP in patients with obstructive sleep apnea. In a randomized cross-over design Nozovent was inserted in 38 patients during one of two nights using AutoSet T. CPAP differences > 1 cm H2O were considered as clinically relevant. With Nozovent the median CPAP pressure was reduced from 8.6 cm H2O to 8.0 H2O (P = 0.023) in all patients, but the number of patients with a reduction of CPAP by 1 cm H2O was not significant. The median CPAP level among 20 patients requiring a CPAP level of above 9 cm H2O was reduced from 10.3 to 9.1 cm H2O, P < 0.05. A clinical improvement with Nozovent was seen in 10 of 20 patients requiring a pressure of above 9 cm H2O compared with 4 of 18 patients who needed lower pressures, P = 0.025. Nozovent reduces the CPAP level 1 cm H2O in 50% of patients requiring a high pressure (> 9 cm H2O). Future studies should identify possible patients benefiting from a nasal dilator during CPAP therapy.     

The effect of short-term nasal CPAP therapy in cases of obstructive sleep apnea syndrome

Recent studies have shown that nasal CPAP is very effective in the treatment of patients with obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSA). To clarify the characteristics of pulmonary function testing and to evaluate the effect of short term nasal CPAP therapy in 13 cases of OSA patients, nasal CPAP was used for 10 to 14 days and polysonography was performed on two consecutive nights without nasal CPAP and at one night with nasal CPAP. Pulmonary function tests and the Uchida-Kraepelin test were performed before the initiation of nasal CPAP therapy and also 7 to 14 days after the nasal CPAP therapy. Apnea index reduced significantly in all cases from 5.10 +/- 19.6 episodes/hour without therapy to 3.1 +/- 3.5 with nasal CPAP (p less than 0.001). Nasal CPAP significantly reduced the frequency of obstructive (p less than 0.001) and mixed apnea (p less than 0.01), but the frequency of central apnea did not change with nasal CPAP. During the nasal CPAP, mean nadir SaO2 rose from 87.3 +/- 2.9% to 92.7 +/- 1.1% (p less than 0.001) and the lowest SaO2 rose from 73.3 +/- 6.4% to 92.0 +/- 2.1% (p less than 0.001). Before the nasal CPAP therapy, daytime PaO2 was 80.6 +/- 6.4 Torr and closing capacity (CC)/FRC ratio was higher when patients were in a supine than in a sitting position. After short term nasal CPAP therapy, daytime PaO2 increased significantly (p less than 0.001), and FRC/TLC in a supine position increased and CC/FRC in a supine position decreased in some patients.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Alternatives to CPAP in the treatment of the obstructive sleep apnea syndrome

The obstructive sleep apnoea syndrome (OSAS) results in excessive daytime sleepiness, impaired quality of life, and is associated with an increased risk of traffic accidents and cardiovascular disease. Nasal continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP), the standard treatment for OSAS provides immediate relief of symptoms and has only minor side effects. Nevertheless, an alternative treatment is needed if CPAP is not feasible for medical or psychological reasons. Removable oral appliances that advance the mandible when fitted to the teeth during sleep also improve nocturnal breathing disturbances, symptoms, quality of life, vigilance and blood pressure in OSAS patients. Their long-term effectiveness and side effects require further study. In morbidly obese patients suffering from OSAS bariatric surgery should be considered as a treatment that reduces obesity and at the same time improves OSAS. In selected patients including those with adeno-tonsillar hypertrophy, and cranio-facial malformations various surgical techniques that enlarge the upper airway may be a treatment option for OSAS.     

Nasal CPAP reduces gastroesophageal reflux in obstructive sleep apnea syndrome.

Anecdotal reports suggest that obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS) patients may suffer from frequent nocturnal gastroesophageal reflux (GER) and that nasal continuous positive airway pressure may be an effective form of antireflux therapy in this population. To confirm these clinical impressions, we performed two consecutive days of 24-h esophageal pH monitoring, nocturnal esophageal pressure recording, and polysomnography on six OSAS patients complaining of regular nocturnal GER. On night one, the patients were untreated. Five of six subjects had abnormal amounts of nocturnal GER. Arousal, movement and swallowing were more frequent (p less than 0.043) and nadir intrathoracic pressure lower (p less than 0.005) in the 30 s prior to precipitous drops in esophageal pH (greater than or equal to 2 pH units) than during random control periods. A direct association between obstructive apneas and GER was not identified. On night two, nasal CPAP was administered and successfully treated apnea in five of six subjects. In these patients, there was also dramatic reduction in GER frequency and duration on CPAP. The mean percentage of time pH less than 4 dropped from 6.3 +/- 2.1 to 0.1 +/- 0.1 percent (p less than 0.025). We believe that OSAS may predispose to nocturnal GER by lowering intrathoracic pressure and increasing arousal and movement frequency. Nasal CPAP can correct these predisposing factors and reduce GER.     

Sleepwalking precipitated by treatment of sleep apnea with nasal CPAP

A 33-year-old man with a long history of snoring, observed apneic episodes, and excessive daytime sleepiness, underwent all-night polysomnography, which demonstrated severe obstructive sleep apnea. During the nasal CPAP trial, two episodes of sleepwalking were observed during a period of delta sleep rebound.     

Depressive symptoms in patients with obstructive sleep apnea/hypopnea syndrome

Objective

The objective of this study was to determine the frequency of depressive symptoms in Peruvian patients with obstructive sleep apnea/hypopnea (OSAH) and the association between the presence of depressive symptoms and OSAH severity.

Methods

Physical examination, Beck Depression Inventory (BDI), and Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS) were applied, and a polysomnography test was performed.

Results

Data on 312 patients, 12 % females, 46.1?±?11.7 years of age, were analyzed. BDI and ESS scores were 8.3?±?5.7 and 9.8?±?5.5, respectively. A total of 244 (78 %) patients had OSAH: 27 % of the cases were mild, 23 % were moderate, and 50 % were severe. Eighteen percent of the population had depression. A univariate analysis found a relationship between depressive symptoms and OSAH, as well as with some polysomnographic variables related to OSAH severity. The association between depression and OSAH was not significant in the multivariate analysis.

Conclusions

No association was found between depressive symptoms and OSAH.     

The role of telemedicine in CPAP compliance for patients with obstructive sleep apnea syndrome

The objective of this study was to compare continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) use, functional status, and client satisfaction in obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS) patients randomized to either telemedicine support or traditional care. In our university-affiliated sleep disorders center, patients with OSAS who were initiating CPAP therapy were randomized to receive telemedicine support vs traditional follow-up care for 30 days. The telemedicine group received a “Health Buddy” computer that provided daily Internet-based informational support and feedback for problems experienced with CPAP use. At 30 days, there were no significant differences in the hours of CPAP use between groups receiving traditional care (M=4.22, SD±2.05) and telemedicine support (M=4.29, SD±2.15), p=0.87, or in the proportion of nights with CPAP use between the traditional (M=50%±33.8) and telemedicine groups (M=47%±34.2), p=0.61. No significant differences were found between groups in functional status (M=2.27±4.56 vs M=2.03±3.88, respectively, p=0.76) or client satisfaction (M=28.0±3.51 vs M=28.5±3.05, p=0.43). Patients in the telemedicine and traditional groups had similar CPAP use, functional status, and client satisfaction. The data suggest that telemedicine support as provided by our model compares favorably with traditional care. As a provider-extender, telemedicine support for patients initiating use of CPAP may allow for greater practice efficiency while maintaining quality of care. Disclosure Statement: Supported by the Telemedicine Directorate, Walter Reed Army Medical Center, Washington, DC.     

Objective measurement of compliance with nasal CPAP treatment for obstructive sleep apnoea syndrome

Compliance with nasal continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) has become a major concern, since this treatment is efficacious, but constraining. In 46 consecutive obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA) patients, we measured compliance with nasal CPAP by establishing a mean rate of use, with a built-in time counter read at three-month intervals, over a mean follow-up period of 232 +/- 27 days. The mean rate of use in the whole group was 5.14 +/- 0.31 hours per day. The acceptance rate was 90.9-93.2%, showing that patient acceptance is not a limitation in the use of nasal CPAP.     

Treatment of obstructive sleep apnea. A preliminary report comparing nasal CPAP to nasal oxygen in patients with mild OSA

Nasal CPAP is presently accepted as first-line therapy for obstructive sleep apnea, but a significant minority of patients do not tolerate nasal CPAP. The purpose of this study was to compare the benefits of nasal CPAP, nasal oxygen (O2), and placebo (air) using patients as their own controls. We studied eight men, aged 33 to 72 (mean 57 years), who had mild obstructive sleep apnea. To be eligible for study, patients had to have an apnea plus hypopnea index greater than or equal to 5, plus one or more of the following: blood pressure greater than 150/95 mm Hg, multiple sleep latency test mean score less than or equal to 10 minutes, or significant nocturnal cardiac ectopy. After a baseline study, patients received a month each of nocturnal O2 at 4 LPM and air at 4 LPM, presented in random order. The third month of treatment consisted of nasal CPAP (range 2.5 to 12.5 cm H2O). Patients underwent evaluation at baseline and after each month of treatment. It was concluded that oxygen was more effective in improving oxygenation and hypopneas than is nasal CPAP. However, oxygen did not reduce apneas or improve daytime hypersomnolence as well as nasal CPAP in patients with mild OSA. Oxygen might be considered as an alternate form of treatment for patients who are not hypersomnolent, or as an adjunct to nasal CPAP.     

Nasal CPAP improves the quality of life and lessens the depressive symptoms in patients with obstructive sleep apnea syndrome

OBJECTIVE: To assess changes in response to nasal continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) in patients with obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS) concerning excessive daytime sleepiness (EDS), depressive state, and quality of life (QOL). PATIENTS AND METHODS: We assessed for EDS using the Epworth sleepiness scale (ESS), for mood using The Zung self-depression scale (SDS), and for QOL using Short-Form 36 (SF-36) in 132 patients with obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS) and control subjects. Patients had severe OSAS (apnea-hypopnea index, 59.4+/-23.8/h) and were more hypersomnolent and depressed, and had poorer QOL than 38 age- and gender-matched controls. RESULTS: Before treatment most QOL domains in the SF-36 were significantly associated with patients' SDS scores. With nasal CPAP, ESS and SDS scores were respectively decreased from 9.7+/-4.5 to 4.0+/-2.4 (p<0.0001) and from 49.2+/-10.4 to 45.1+/-9.6 (p<0.0005). Total SF-36 score and scores for seven of eight domains were increased significantly with treatment. Thus, nasal CPAP lessens EDS and depression, and improves QOL, in patients with severe OSAS. Further, magnitudes of changes in total SF-36 scores and in five of eight domains correlated significantly with magnitude of change in SDS score upon nasal CPAP treatment. No relationship was evident between treatment-associated score changes in SF-36 domains and ESS score change. CONCLUSION: Although patients with severe OSAS have poorer QOL than control subjects, nasal CPAP appears to improve QOL by alleviating depression.     

Adherence to CPAP therapy improves quality of life and reduces symptoms among obstructive sleep apnea syndrome patients

Purpose  

The aim of the study was to asses quality of life and symptoms of obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS) patients after adhering to 6 months of continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) treatment.     

Compliance to CPAP treatment and effects of treatment on anxiety and depression in patients with obstructive sleep apnea syndrome

Obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS) causes numerous pathophysiological changes and influences neuropsychological system. Nasal continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) is the gold standard treatment of OSAS. We aimed to evaluate the compliance of patients with severe OSAS to CPAP treatment and to compare the anxiety and depression scores before and at the 6th month of the treatment. Seventeen patients receiving CPAP treatment for OSAS that continued regular follow-up were accepted to the study. A questionnaire containing questions about demographic features, OSAS symptoms and Epworth sleepiness scale, Beck anxiety scale and depression scale was filled by the patients before and after CPAP treatment. Additionally, information concerning adverse effects of and compliance to CPAP treatment was obtained after CPAP treatment. Mean age of the patients was 48.4 +/- 8.4 (32-63); 14 (82.4%) of them were male and 3 (17.6%) of them were female. Snoring, witnessed apnea and excessive daytime sleepiness symptoms, and Epworth sleepiness scale scores were significantly decreased after CPAP treatment compared with those before treatment. Mean duration of CPAP device use at night was 5.6 +/- 2.1 (2-8) hours. Nine (52.9%) of the patients were using the device regularly every night and 8 (47.1%) of the patients were using it irregularly. The most frequent adverse effect of CPAP treatment was sore mouth, followed by mask discomfort and erythema on the nose. Anxiety and depression scores of the patients were significantly decreased after CPAP treatment compared with those before the treatment. As a conclusion, OSAS patients with high anxiety and depression scores benefit from CPAP treatment.     

持续气道正压通气治疗对阻塞性睡眠呼吸暂停低通气综合征患者体内激素水平的影响

阻塞性睡眠呼吸暂停低通气综合征(OSAHS)导致夜间低氧和正常睡眠节律的紊乱,引起体内激素分泌的改变和激素抵抗的增加。而持续气道正压通气(CPAP)治疗在改善夜间睡眠质量的同时也纠正了体内激素水平的紊乱,为CPAP在阻塞性睡眠呼吸暂停(OSA)方面的应用提供了更充分的依据。     

Upper airway finding on CT scan with and without nasal CPAP in obstructive sleep apnea patients

The area of upper airway (from the nasopharynx to the hypopharynx) was measured by means of computed tomography (CT) scan in 15 confirmed cases of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) and in 4 normal controls while they were awake. The minimum cross-sectional area (MA) of the upper airway was 14.7 +/- 20.0 mm2 in OSA patients and 80.0 +/- 33.1 mm2 in normal controls and the difference was statistically significant (p less than 0.01). In OSA patients, MA did not correlate with age, body weight, apnea index, desaturation index, mean nadir-SO2 and lowest SO2. MA was also measured with OSA patients while nasal continuous positive airway pressure (NCPAP) of 10 cmH2O was applied and it was found that MA was significantly widened when NCPAP therapy was performed. We conclude that upper airway narrowing is consistent finding in OSA patients but the degree of narrowing does not correlate with parameters of apnea and gas exchange during sleep, and NCPAP is effective to widen the area of upper airway in OSA patients.     

Spousal involvement in CPAP adherence among patients with obstructive sleep apnea

Purpose  

To determine the effects of spousal involvement on continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) adherence and response to CPAP problems in male patients with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA).     

Optimising CPAP accommodation time by feedback-supported training phases in patients with obstructive sleep apnea syndrome

Mask fitting and accommodation of CPAP-devices are of great importance. Only by accommodation over several hours, problems concerning mask size and fixation of mask are recognised and solved. Many patients overestimate the time they needed for achieving accommodation. We therefore asked whether by visualizing the time required for accommodation the accommodation time can be prolonged. Additionally we compared the subjective estimation on the time with the objectively measured time. We studied 20 patients with sleep apnoea syndrome, 13 men and 7 women, age 53 +/- 4 years, apnoea/hypopnoea index 32 +/- 16, lowest O2 saturation 83 +/- 6%. In a randomized cross-over study, a clock with a large 7 segment-display was either not visible in one setting, so that the patient had no control of the training-time, or the time was visible on the display. Thus the patient could possibly be motivated to increase his time of CPAP-accommodation during the day. The pressure-controlled clock counted only the time during which the pressure was above 4 HPa. In the setting with visible time-counter the accommodation time was 265.8 +/- 114 min, if the counter was not visible, time was only 210.8 +/- 91 min. If the patient cannot observe the time-counter he over-estimates the objectively measured time by half an hour (247.2 +/- 97.5 estimated vs. 210.8 +/- 91.0 actually). Thus the self-control of CPAP-accommodation by a visible clock leads to a significant prolongation of the exercise time. The estimation by the patient is only a limited means to evaluate the time of CPAP accommodation during the day.