Effect of nasal CPAP therapy on functional respiratory parameters and cardiopulmonary exercise test in obstructive sleep apnea syndrome

Abstract

Nasal CPAP treatment is an effective treatment modality for patients with OSAS. It can improve physical and mental functions by reducing daytime hypersomnolence, arousal index and sleep fragmentations. The purpose of this study was to evaluate whether pulmonary functions, exercise limitation confirmed with CPET, and quality of life can be improved after eight weeks of nCPAP treatment. We evaluated our case group with physical examination, SF-36 health survey, body composition analysis before and after nCPAP treatment for 8 weeks. Spirometric flow rates, PImax, PEmax, lung volumes and exercise capasities with CPET were measured. 31 of 40 patients (4 female, 27 male) completed the study. The mean age was 53.41 ± 1.46, 51.6% of cases had comorbidities and the smoking history rate was 54.8%. All of them had exercise limitation before treatment. After treatment there were increases in PImax–PEmax ( p < 0.05), VO2 peak ( p :0.001), load max ( p :0.000), maximal heart rates ( p :0.000), all SF-36 scores except pain ( p < 0.05) and a decrease in systolic blood pressure ( p :0.005). We did not see any changes in body compositions, spirometric flow rates except FEV1 and lung volumes. OSAS may lead to exercise limitation. nCPAP treatment is effective in reducing exercise limitation, can help to control blood pressure and improves respiratory muscle strength. nCPAP can also improve the quality of life scores in OSA patients without any comorbidity or with comorbidities under control. Our findings may suggest that these changes are the results of improvements in patients’ cardiac function, daytime somnolence and fitness. Thanks to my professors, patients and friends for helping me to continue this study.