The Effect of Bi-Level Positive Airway Pressure on Sleep Structure in Patients with Overlap Syndrome

Abstract

Objective: The present study aimed to observe the effect of bi-level positive airway pressure on sleep structure in patients with overlap syndrome (OS). Method: Forty patients with OS were randomly divided into control and experimental groups, respectively, with 20 cases in each group. Patients in both the control and experimental groups were given anti-infection, dilating bronchi, expectoration, and oxygen inhalation treatment according to the conditions. Bi-level positive airway pressure was conducted in patients in the experimental group for approximately 10 hr a day over a one-week therapeutic course. Polysomnography, Sleep questionnaire survey was performed before treatment and after one week of treatment in both the control and experimental groups to measure sleep structure to investigate the drowsiness and quality of life of the patients. Results: (1) Prior to treatment, differences in the total sleep time, sleep latency, rapid eye movement (REM) latency, sleep efficiency, phase I, II, and III sleep, REM phase sleep and sleep questionnaire survey was not statistically significant between the two groups (P > 0.05). (2) One week after treatment, compared with the control group, the REM latency in the experimental group was shortened, the percentage of REM sleep and Rem sleep in total sleep time was prolonged, the second stage sleep time and the percentage of second stage sleep in total sleep time were shortened, and the scores of Epworth drowsiness, fatigue, dizziness, lack of energy and anxiety decreased in the sleep questionnaire. There was no significant difference in other indexes (P > 0.05). After treatment in the experimental group, REM latency was shortened, REM sleep time and the percentage of Rem sleep in total sleep time were prolonged, second-stage sleep time and second-stage sleep in total sleep time were shortened. Sleep questionnaire survey showed that Epworth drowsiness score, fatigue, dizziness, mental in concentration and anxiety symptoms decreased. There was no significant difference in other indexes (P > 0.05). The sleep questionnaire in the control group after treatment showed that the score of fatigue symptoms decreased, and the difference was statistically significant (P < 0.05). There was no significant difference in other indexes (P > 0.05). Conclusion: Bi-level positive airway pressure can potentially shorten REM latency, prolong REM sleep, and shorten phase II sleep, alleviate the symptoms of drowsiness, fatigue, dizziness, distraction and anxiety, and improve the quality of life in patients with OS.