Continuous Positive Airway Pressure Usage Research Articles

Comparative effectiveness of hypoglossal nerve stimulation and alternative treatments for obstructive sleep apnea: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) is the primary therapeutic modality for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) management. However, despite efforts to encourage patients to comply with CPAP usage, long-term adherence remains low. Consequently, surgical intervention for OSA is considered a secondary option for patients who exhibit non-compliance with CPAP. Therefore, we conducted systematic review and meta-analysis assessed the relative effectiveness of hypoglossal nerve stimulation (HNS) treatment and alternative surgical interventions for managing OSA. Five databases were searched. Studies were included if they measured polysomnography parameters and assessed sleep apnea-related quality of life (Epworth Sleepiness Scale [ESS]) both before and after HNS, and compared these outcomes with control, CPAP, or airway surgery (uvulopalatopharyngoplasty, expansion sphincter pharyngoplasty, or tongue base surgery) groups. A total of 10 studies (2209 patients) met the inclusion criteria. Compared to other airway surgeries, the rates of post-treatment apnea-hypopnea index (AHI) < 10 and < 15 events/h were significantly lower in the HNS group (odds ratio [OR] 5.33, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.21-23.42; and 2.73, 95% CI 1.30-5.71, respectively). Additionally, postoperative AHI was significantly lower in the HNS group than in all other airway surgery groups (AHI: mean difference [MD] -8.00, 95% CI -12.03 to-3.97 events/h). However, there were no significant differences in the rate of post-treatment AHI < 5 events/h (OR 1.93, 95% CI 0.74-5.06) or postoperative ESS score (MD 0.40, 95% CI-1.52 to 2.32) between the two groups. HNS is an effective option for selected patients with moderate-to-severe OSA and CPAP intolerance.

Long term adherence to continuous positive Airway pressure in mild obstructive sleep apnea

BackgroundStudies have shown that a significant percentage of patients with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) do not tolerate continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) therapy and long-term use may be as low as 30%. Given the lower levels of symptoms and health-related risks, patients with mild sleep apnea may be at even higher risk for non-adherence to long term CPAP. The purpose of our study was to investigate the prevalence and associations of long-term CPAP adherence in first time users with mild sleep apnea diagnosed by home sleep apnea testing (HSAT).MethodsWe identified all the patients who were diagnosed with mild sleep apnea (5 = < AHI < 15) by home sleep apnea testing from 01/2013 to 06/2019 at a large, combined community and hospital-based sleep practice. Only first time CPAP users were included. Compliance was defined as CPAP usage ≥ 4 h per night on ≥ 70% of nights over 30 consecutive days. We defined long term adherence as compliance on the 12th month following CPAP set up. Patient demographics, comorbidities, and CPAP compliance at 1st, 3rd, 6th, 9th and 12th month after therapy initiation were collected. We compared and identified the factors that had significant difference (P < 0.1) between compliant and non-compliant groups at the 12th month.Results222 patients were included in the analysis. 57 (25.7%) patients were adherent with long term CPAP treatment. The following factors were associated with a greater likelihood for long-term CPAP adherence: older age, lower body mass index (BMI), presence of a bed partner, non-smoker, presence of Diabetes Mellitus (DM), presence of Heart Failure (CHF), lack of depression, and compliance at 1st, 3rd, 6th and 9th month.ConclusionsLong term CPAP compliance in mild sleep apnea patients is low. Long term adherence to CPAP can be predicted based on CPAP adherence during the first three months.

Effectiveness of Continuous Positive Airway Pressure in Treating Hypertension in Obstructive Sleep Apnea: A Traditional Review.

Almost one billion individuals worldwide suffer from obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). The most widely used treatment for OSA has been continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP), but its effect on blood pressure (BP) has been challenged. Our review aims to evaluate the effects of treating OSA with CPAP on BP and BP-related morbidities in adult hypertensive patients. Medical subject headings (MeSH) terminology was used to search the PubMed Central, MEDLINE, and PubMed databases for articles on the use of CPAP in OSA patients with hypertension. We selected various forms of academic writing, encompassing complete texts that were published in the English language. The study included a total of 21 papers. OSA is a serious health concern associated with a higher risk of cardiovascular disease, kidney disease, pulmonary hypertension, and aortic stiffness, which is brought on by the periodic hypoxia caused by nocturnal respiratory episodes. For individuals with moderate-to-severe OSA, CPAP therapy has been shown to have a considerable long-term benefit with a median drop of 11 mm Hg, and high adherence results in a decrease in diastolic BP. CPAP therapy directly lowers BP in OSA patients with a body mass index (BMI) of more than 30 kg/m2 and has also demonstrated improvement in early signs of atherosclerosis with lower nocturnal systolic BP levels. OSA patients with resistant hypertension also experienced lower BP after using CPAP for a year. Therefore, our findings suggest that obesity, hypersomnolence, high nocturnal BP, prolonged CPAP usage, and resistant hypertension may all have a major impact on the BP response to CPAP therapy in individuals with severe OSA.

Mean disease alleviation between surgery and CPAP in matched adults with obstructive sleep apnea.

Polysomnography parameters measure treatment efficacy for obstructive sleep apnea, such as reduction in apnea hypopnea index. However, for continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) therapy, polysomnography measures do not factor in adherence and thus do not measure effectiveness. Mean disease alleviation (MDA) corrects polysomnography measures for CPAP adherence and was used to compare treatment effectiveness between CPAP and multilevel upper airway surgery. This retrospective cohort study consisted of a consecutive sample of 331 patients with obstructive sleep apnea managed with multilevel airway surgery as second line treatment (N=97) or CPAP (N=234). Therapeutic effectiveness (MDA as % change or as corrected change in apnea hypopnea index) was calculated as the product of therapeutic efficacy (% or absolute change in apnea hypopnea index) and adherence (% time on CPAP of average nightly sleep). Cardinality and propensity score matching was utilised to manage confounding variables. Surgery patients achieved greater MDA % than CPAP users (67 ± 30% vs. 60 ± 28%, p=0.04, difference 7 ± 3%, 95% confidence interval 4% to 14%) in an unmatched comparison, despite a lower therapeutic efficacy seen with surgery. Cardinality matching demonstrated comparable MDA % in surgery (64%) and CPAP (57%) groups (p=0.14, difference 8 ± 5%, 95% confidence interval -18% to 3%). MDA measured as corrected change in apnea hypopnea index showed similar results. In adult patients with obstructive sleep apnea, multilevel upper airway surgery and CPAP provide comparable therapeutic effectiveness on polysomnography. For patients with inadequate CPAP use, surgery should be considered.

The use of continuous positive airway pressure in COPD-OSA overlap syndrome: A systematic review

BackgroundThe co-occurrence of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), known as COPD-OSA overlap syndrome, increases morbidity and mortality. The effectiveness of continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) therapy, a commonly used treatment for OSA, in this patient population remains uncertain. Therefore, we conducted a systematic review to evaluate the efficacy of CPAP therapy in improving clinical outcomes. MethodsWe conducted a comprehensive systematic review to identify studies that evaluated the impact of CPAP therapy on COPD exacerbation, hospitalization, and mortality in patients with COPD-OSA overlap syndrome. We followed the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis Statement and assessed the quality of each study using the Newcastle-Ottawa quality scale. ResultsFrom the initial 3184 articles identified, we reviewed 365 and included five in the systematic review. Our findings revealed that CPAP therapy improved clinical outcomes, including COPD exacerbation, COPD related hospitalization, and mortality in patients with COPD-OSA overlap syndrome. However, the definition of COPD and OSA varied across studies, and the definition of CPAP usage was not consistent. ConclusionOur systematic review suggests that CPAP therapy is effective in improving outcomes in patients with COPD-OSA overlap syndrome. Nonetheless, further research is required to establish the efficacy of CPAP therapy by standardizing the definition of COPD, OSA, and CPAP usage.

0562 The characteristics of the older continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) users in Japan: In comparison with the adult users

Abstract Introduction The characteristics of the older CPAP users have not been well studied, and accessibility to medical care and long-term follow up are the issues about their investigation of the older OSA patients. In this respect, Japan is in a unique position to look into reality of the situation, as virtually all the people have unlimited access to medical care and CPAP follow-up with one to three month interval is mandatory. Under this condition, the aim of this study is to reveal the characteristics of the older CPAP users compared to the adult users. Methods This is a retrospective study dealing with 340 obstructive sleep apnea patients who started CPAP therapy from May 2013 to Oct 2021 in our sleep laboratory. Two groups of CPAP users were extracted from these patients, older (n=44, with the age of 70 years or more, 75.8±4.4 years) and adult (n=26, with the age of 25-44 years old, 39.2±4.5 years) patients. We assessed the characteristics of demographic data, symptoms and comorbidity, diagnostic polysomnographic parameters, and CPAP adherence. Results The older CPAP users were leaner (BMI, older/adult, 24.9 [21.9-26.8]/31.3 [27.1-34.8], p&amp;lt; 0.0001) and less sleepy (Epworth Sleepiness Scale, older/adult, 8.0 [5.0-13.0]/15.5 [8.8-20.2], p&amp;lt; 0.0005). Apnea-hypopnea index (AHI) of two groups were not significantly different (older/adult, 38.6 [27.4-48.0]/49.5 [26.4-66.4]). Most of both older and adult patients continued to use CPAP more than one year (84.1 % and 92.3 %, respectively). CPAP adherence using more than one year in the older group was higher than that in the adult group (older/adult, 96.5 %/80.0 %). Conclusion Our study revealed that CPAP adherence in the older users was higher than that in the adult users, although the older CPAP users were leaner and less sleepy. Support (if any)

CPAP Therapy for 4 Months Improves Sleep Quality, Daytime Alertness, Fatigue, and Mental Health in People with Chronic Spinal Cord Injury and Moderate-to-Severe Sleep-Related Breathing Disorder: The Preliminary Results of an Ongoing Prospective Study. (S38.002)

<h3>Objective:</h3> To examine the cognitive and psychological effects of continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) therapy in people with chronic spinal cord injury (SCI) and moderate-to-severe sleep-related breathing disorder (SRBD). <h3>Background:</h3> SRBDs are common but under-recognized after SCI. <h3>Design/Methods:</h3> An ongoing single-arm clinical trial (NCT04007380) aims to evaluate the effects of 4 months of CPAP therapy on cognition and mental health in people with SCI who were diagnosed with moderate-to-severe SRBD. Outcomes included the Epworth Sleepiness Scale, Medical Outcomes Study Sleep Scale, Fatigue Severity Scale, Depression, Anxiety &amp; Stress Scale-21, and Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA). The participants shared their experience in a 1-hour semi-structured interview (qualitative analysis). <h3>Results:</h3> By September 2022, we screened 31 individuals (10 females, 21 males; ages range: 37–79 years; mean age: 58.4 years) with complete motor (n=14) or incomplete SCI at cervical (n=20) or thoracic level. Time from SCI onset varied from 4 to 793 months (mean time: 190.5 months). Of the 31 screened participants, the apnea-hypopnea index (AHI) varied from 2.6 to 83.7 events per hour (mean AHI: 23.0). Of the 24 individuals who initiated CPAP therapy, 11 individuals have completed it, whereas three individuals withdrew from the study. The overall mean adherence rate to CPAP was 78.6%; mean nighttime CPAP usage was approximately 5 hours. Daytime sleepiness (p=0.003) and sleep quality (p&lt;0.001) significantly improved with CPAP therapy. Fatigue significantly decreased with CPAP therapy (p=0.048). Mental health indicators improved with CPAP therapy (p=0.049). There was a numeric increase in MoCA scores, but this did not reach significance yet (p=0.160). All 11 participants confirmed that CPAP therapy had a positive impact in their lives. <h3>Conclusions:</h3> Our preliminary results suggest that 4 months of CPAP therapy significantly improves sleep quality, and reduces daytime sleepiness, fatigue, stress, anxiety and mood in people with chronic SCI. The participants’ adherence to CPAP therapy was high (78.6%). <b>Disclosure:</b> The institution of Dr. Furlan has received research support from Wings for Life Spinal Cord Research Foundation. The institution of Dr. Furlan has received research support from Craig H Neilsen Foundation. The institution of Dr. Furlan has received research support from Ontario Neurotrauma Foundation. The institution of Dr. Furlan has received research support from Cervical Spine Research Society. The institution of Dr. Furlan has received research support from J P Bickell Foundation. The institution of Dr. Furlan has received research support from Praxis Spinal Cord Institute. The institution of Dr. Furlan has received research support from Cervical Spine Research Society. Dr. Hitzig has nothing to disclose. Dr. Boulos has received personal compensation in the range of $500-$4,999 for serving on a Scientific Advisory or Data Safety Monitoring board for Jazz Pharmaceuticals. Dr. Boulos has received personal compensation in the range of $500-$4,999 for serving on a Scientific Advisory or Data Safety Monitoring board for Paladin Labs. Dr. Boulos has received personal compensation in the range of $500-$4,999 for serving on a Scientific Advisory or Data Safety Monitoring board for Eisai. Dr. Boulos has received research support from Interaxon. The institution of Dr. Boulos has received research support from The Mahaffy Family Research Fund. The institution of Dr. Boulos has received research support from Canadian Institutes of Health Research. The institution of Dr. Boulos has received research support from Slamen-Fast New Initiatives in Neurology Award. The institution of Dr. Boulos has received research support from Green Mountain . Dr. Boulos has received personal compensation in the range of $5,000-$9,999 for serving as a speaker with Jazz Pharmaceuticals.

The relationship between adherence to continuous positive airway pressure and nasal resistance measured by rhinomanometry in patients with obstructive sleep apnea syndrome.

Nasal breathing disorders are associated with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) syndrome and influence the availability of continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) therapy. However, information is scarce about the impact of nasal resistance assessed by rhinomanometry on CPAP therapy. This study aimed to examine the relationship between CPAP adherence and nasal resistance evaluated by rhinomanometry, and to identify clinical findings that can affect adherence to CPAP therapy for patients with OSA. This study included 260 patients (199 men, 61 women; age 58 [interquartile ranges (IQR) 50-66] years) with a new diagnosis of OSA who underwent rhinomanometry (before, and 1 and 3 months after CPAP introduction) between January 2011 and December 2018. CPAP use was recorded, and the good and poor CPAP adherence groups at the time of patient registration were compared. Furthermore, those with improved and unimproved pre-CPAP high rhinomanometry values were also compared. Their apnea-hypopnea index (AHI) by polysomnography at diagnosis was 45.6 (IQR 33.7-61.6)/hour, but the residual respiratory event (estimated AHI) at enrollment was 2.5 (IQR 1.4-3.9)/hour and the usage time was 318 (IQR 226-397) minutes, indicating that CPAP was effective and adherence was good. CPAP adherence was negatively correlated with nasal resistance (r = -0.188, p = 0.002). The participants were divided into good (n = 153) and poor (n = 107) CPAP adherence groups. In the poor adherence group, rhinomanometry values before CPAP introduction were worse (inspiration, p = 0.003; expiration, p = 0.006). There was no significant difference in patient background when comparing those with improved (n = 16) and unimproved (n = 12) pre-CPAP high rhinomanometry values. However, CPAP usage time was significantly longer in the improved group 1 month (p = 0.002) and 3 months (p = 0.026) after CPAP introduction. The results suggest that nasal resistance evaluated by rhinomanometry is a useful predictor of CPAP adherence, and that improved rhinomanometry values may contribute to extending the duration of CPAP use.

Use of historical remote monitoring data to determine predictors of CPAP non-compliance in patients with OSA.

Continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) is the gold standard treatment for obstructive sleep apnoea. This study aimed to use complete usage data collected remotely from modern CPAP devices to identify compliance trends and clinical predictors of CPAP usage. Group usage data were analysed for a large cohort at a single tertiary sleep-centre before a detailed review of a 90-day reporting window for each patient was conducted. Individual data were collected for a smaller cohort of patients including demographics, past medical history and diagnostic sleep study results. A zero-inflated negative binomial regression model was used to determine associations between patient characteristics and usage days. Of 6450 patients who wereprescribed CPAP and included in the initial service analysis, 476 patients wereincluded in the sub-group. Complete usage data revealed that 46% of patients were fully compliant with CPAP therapy. Compliance fell from 55 to 46% by day 90 and remained at this rate going forward. Significant predictors of CPAP non-compliance included being in the lowest quartile of Index of Multiple Deprivation scores (most deprived) compared with the highest quartile (least deprived) (p = .005), and less severe oxygen desaturation index (ODI) on diagnosis (p = .03). Complete usage data show that compliance at day 90 appears to be a good indicator of future CPAP usage. Predictors of CPAP non-compliance may include lower socioeconomic status, and lower ODI.

The Management of Obstructive Sleep Apnea Patients during the COVID-19 Pandemic as a Public Health Problem—Interactions with Sleep Efficacy and Mental Health

With the onset of the COVID-19 outbreak, it was stipulated that patients with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) may have a greater risk of morbidity and mortality and may even experience changes in their mental health. The aim of the current study is to evaluate how patients managed their disease (sleep apnea) during the COVID-19 pandemic, to determine if continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) usage changed after the beginning of the pandemic, to compare the stress level with the baseline, and to observe if any modifications are related to their individual characteristics. The present studies highlight the level of anxiety, which was high among patients with OSA during the COVID-19 pandemic (p < 0.05), with its influence on weight control (62.5% of patients with high levels of stress gained weight) and sleep schedule (82.6% reported a change in sleep schedule). Patients with severe OSA and high levels of stress increased their CPAP usage (354.5 min/night vs. 399.5 min/night during the pandemic, p < 0.05). To conclude, in OSA patients, the presence of the pandemic led to a greater level of anxiety, changes in sleep schedule and weight gain because of job loss, isolation, and emotional changes, influencing mental health. A possible solution, telemedicine, could become a cornerstone in the management of these patients.

Defining the impact of continuous positive airway pressure therapy on diastolic function in adults with moderate-to-severe obstructive sleep apnea.

Although studies have shown that continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) therapy to treat obstructive sleep apnea improves left ventricular diastolic function, modifiers of improvement are unknown. We explored race and pre-treatment 24-h non-dipping blood pressure status as modifiers of improved diastolic function. Participants (N=220) with obstructive sleep apnea (apnea-hypopnea index ≥15 events/h) and hypertension were recruited to a cohort study that examined effects of 3-month CPAP therapy on 24-h blood pressure. Those who completed echocardiogram at baseline and follow-up were included in this analysis. Diastolic function parameters (E, A, e', E/A, E/e') were assessed. Race was categorised to African American versus others. Participants were categorised as nocturnal dippers (night-time blood pressure decrease by ≥10%) versus non-dippers. We compared changes in parameters of diastolic function by race and nocturnal dipping status. A total of 92 participants were included. They were men (86%), African American (67.4%), and current smoker (29.5%). Mean apnea-hypopnea index was 32.9 events/h. Mean CPAP usage was 3.15 h/day. After 3 months of CPAP treatment, there were significant improvements in measures of diastolic function: a median (interquartile range [IQR]) increase in E velocity by 4.00(-5.75 to 13.75)cm/s, an increase in e' by 2.00(0-4.00)cm/s, and a decrease in the E/e' ratio by 1.74(-4.27 to 0.00) at follow-up (p < 0.05). These changes did not differ by race or nocturnal dipping status. Improvements in diastolic function after CPAP therapy did not differ by race or nocturnal dipping status. Further studies are needed to understand predictors of CPAP effects on diastolic function.

Cardiovascular Outcomes in Adults with Coronary Artery Disease and Obstructive Sleep Apnea with versus without Excessive Daytime Sleepiness in the RICCADSA Cinical Trial.

Rationale: Recent randomized controlled trials did not show cardiovascular benefits of continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) in adults with coronary artery disease (CAD) and obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) in intention-to-treat analyses. It has been argued that exclusion of patients with OSA with excessive daytime sleepiness (EDS), who may be most likely to benefit from CPAP treatment, may be a reason for the null results. Objectives: We addressed 1) the effect of concomitant EDS on adverse outcomes in patients with CAD and OSA; and 2) whether the cardiovascular benefit of CPAP adherence differs between individuals with versus without EDS. Methods: This was a secondary analysis of the RICCADSA (Randomized Intervention with CPAP in CAD and Obstructive Sleep Apnea) trial, conducted in Sweden between 2005 and 2013. Data were analyzed from 155 patients with CAD with OSA (apnea-hypopnea index ⩾ 15/h) and EDS (Epworth Sleepiness Scale score ⩾ 10), who were allocated to CPAP and 244 patients without EDS (ESS < 10), who were randomized to CPAP or no CPAP. Patients who were allocated to no CPAP or were nonadherent (CPAP usage < 4 h/night) were compared with adherent patients (CPAP usage ⩾ 4 h/night) at 1-year follow-up. Inverse probability of treatment weighting was applied to mimic randomization of EDS. The primary endpoint was the first event of repeat revascularization, myocardial infarction, stroke, or cardiovascular mortality. Results: The median follow-up was 52.2 months. The incidence of the primary endpoint did not differ significantly between the EDS versus no-EDS groups in the entire cohort. Within the adherent group, patients without EDS had a significantly decreased risk compared with patients with EDS (adjusted hazard ratio, 0.41; 95% confidence interval, 0.20-0.85; P = 0.02). Conclusions: Adverse cardiovascular outcomes did not differ by degrees of EDS for patients with CAD with OSA who were untreated or nonadherent to treatment. CPAP use, at least 4 h/night, was associated with reduced adverse outcomes in participants without EDS. Clinical trial registered with www.clinicaltrials.gov (NCT00519597).

Nasal polyposis is a risk factor for nonadherence to CPAP treatment in sleep apnea: the population-based DISCOVERY study.

The aim was to evaluate nasal polyposis as a risk factor for nonadherence to continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) treatment in patients with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). This was a population-based, longitudinal analysis of patients starting CPAP treatment for OSA in the Swedish quality registry Swedevox between 2010 and 2018. Data were cross-linked with national registries. The impact of nasal polyposis on CPAP adherence was analyzed using uni- and multivariable logistic and linear regression models. Relevant confounders (age, sex, usage of nasal and oral steroids) were identified using a direct acyclic graph. Of 20,521 patients with OSA on CPAP treatment (29.5% females), 331 (1.6%) had a diagnosis of nasal polyposis at baseline. At the 1-year follow-up, nasal polyposis was associated with an increased risk of CPAP usage < 4 hours/night (unadjusted odds ratio [OR] 1.21; 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.95-1.55); adjusted OR 1.38; 95% CI 1.08-1.77). In this group, unadjusted nocturnal mean CPAP usage was 15.4 minutes (95% CI -31.62 to 0.83) shorter and was an adjusted 24.1 minutes (95% CI -40.6 to -7.7) shorter compared with patients with OSA without nasal polyposis. Nasal polyposis is associated with reduced CPAP usage per night. These results highlight the importance of diagnosing nasal polyposis in patients with OSA before the start of CPAP treatment. Treatment of the condition may improve adherence, efficacy, and patient outcomes. Bengtsson C, Grote L, Ljunggren M, Ekström M, Palm A. Nasal polyposis is a risk factor for nonadherence to CPAP treatment in sleep apnea: the population-based DISCOVERY study. J Clin Sleep Med. 2023;19(3):573-579.

Adherence to CPAP therapy in Down syndrome: the population-based DISCOVERY study.

Persons with Down syndrome (DS) have an increased risk of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) needing continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP), but data on the therapy and outcomes in this population are scarce. We aimed to compare patient characteristics and outcomes of CPAP treatment for patients with OSA with and without DS. This was a population-based, longitudinal study on patients initiating CPAP therapy between July 2010 and March 2018 in Sweden and a population-based sex- and age-matched control group (control:case ratio 5:1), with linked data from the Swedish National Patient Registry and the Prescribed Drug Registry (DISCOVERY study cohort). Patients with DS (n = 64) had a higher apnea-hypopnea index (51.7 ± 30.3 vs 36.8 ± 29.1 events/h, P < .001), Epworth Sleepiness Scale score (13.7 ± 5.9 vs 11.0 ± 4.9, P = .001), rate of previous surgery of tonsils and/or adenoids (21.9% vs 8.2%, P = .001), and more thyroid replacement hormone therapy (45.3% vs 7.8%, P < .001), but lower use of cardiovascular drugs (7.8% vs 22.3%, P = .003) compared with controls. At follow-up after 1.3 ± 0.9 years, there were no differences in nocturnal CPAP usage time (5.6 ± 2.4 vs 5.5 ± 2.0 hours, P = .77), CPAP adherence ≥ 4 hours/night (62% vs 65%, P = .93), or improvement in Epworth Sleepiness Scale score (-5.4 ± 6.8 vs -5.0 ± 2.0, P = .84) between DS and non-DS patients. OSA severity was substantially higher in patients with DS despite an increased rate of tonsil surgery. Treatment outcomes in terms of adherence and improved daytime sleepiness were comparable between groups, underlining the importance of both OSA diagnosis and treatment in patients with DS. Svensson M, Ekström M, Sundh J, Ljunggren M, Grote L, Palm A. Adherence to CPAP therapy in Down syndrome: the population-based DISCOVERY study. J Clin Sleep Med. 2023;19(3):453-458.

Investigation on factors related to poor CPAP adherence using machine learning: a pilot study

To improve patients’ adherence to continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) therapy, this study aimed to clarify whether machine learning-based data analysis can identify the factors related to poor CPAP adherence (i.e., CPAP usage that does not reach four hours per day for five days a week). We developed a CPAP adherence prediction model using logistic regression and learn-to-rank machine learning with a pairwise approach. We then investigated adherence prediction performance targeting a 12-week period and the top ten factors correlating to poor CPAP adherence. The CPAP logs of 219 patients with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) obtained from clinical treatment at Kyoto University Hospital were used. The highest adherence prediction accuracy obtained was an F1 score of 0.864. Out of the top ten factors obtained with the highest prediction accuracy, four were consistent with already-known clinical knowledge. The factors for better CPAP adherence indicate that air leakage should be avoided, mask pressure should be kept constant, and CPAP usage duration should be longer and kept constant. The results indicate that machine learning is an adequate method for investigating factors related to poor CPAP adherence.

Impact of COVID-19 pandemic on adherence to noninvasive ventilation in children.

The aim of this study was to measure changes in adherence to noninvasive ventilation (NIV) in children during the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic. Retrospective chart review of children (0-18 years) using home NIV through the Stollery's Pediatric NIV program in Edmonton, Canada during March 2019 to March 2021. Demographics, clinical characteristics, and adherence information from machine downloads were collected prior to and during the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic. Paired t tests and Chi-square compared adherence prepandemic and during pandemic and repeated analysis of variance tests compared adherence pre- and 0-6 and 6-12 months during pandemic. Eighty-two children met inclusion criteria (62% male; age 8.6 ± 4.6 years). Overall, there were no changes in NIV adherence during pandemic (average NIV minutes pre- and during pandemic of 390 ± 219 and 405 ± 300 minutes, respectively). When separated into increased vs decreased adherence groups, adherence differences pre- compared to during pandemic became significant, with no differences across demographic/clinical variables or prepandemic adherence. There were no changes in NIV adherence during the initial 6 months of pandemic compared to prepandemic, but NIV use significantly increased by 9-57 minutes during the following 6-12 months. Bilevel positive airway users had longer NIV use than continuous positive airway pressure users at all time points, with an overall increasing trend over time. Despite the significant life disruption created by COVID-19 and changes to virtual care, children using home NIV maintained adequate adherence. Qualitative research is needed to understand the nuances of using NIV during the pandemic and potential advantages of virtual care for support of these children and families. Halperin H, Chalifour M, Bedi PK, etal. Impact of COVID-19 pandemic on adherence to noninvasive ventilation in children. J Clin Sleep Med. 2023;19(1):179-188.

The multisystemic effects of oral appliance therapy for obstructive sleep apnea: A narrative review.

Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is a chronic condition accompanied by repeated obstruction of the upper airway during sleep despite respiratory efforts, resulting in intermittent hypoxemia, altered sleep structure, and sympathetic activation. Previous studies have shown a significant association between OSA and general health issues such as cardiovascular diseases, endocrine disorders, neurocognitive function decline, and poor quality of life. Continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) has been considered as the first line treatment for OSA. However, accumulating evidence supports the role of oral appliance (OA) therapy, including mandibular advancement devices, as an alternative option for snoring and OSA patients who do not comply with or refuse CPAP usage. Despite a generally favorable outcome of OA therapy for OSA related respiratory indices, studies focusing on the impact of systemic effects of OA therapy in OSA patients are relatively scarce compared with the extensive literature focusing on the systemic effects of CPAP. Therefore, this article aimed to provide an overview of the current evidence regarding the multisystemic effects of OA therapy for OSA.

CPAP setup by mail: we're not there yet.

CPAP setup by mail: we're not there yet.

Changes in Periodic Limb Movements of Sleep After the Use of Continuous Positive Airway Pressure Therapy: A Meta-Analysis.

BackgroundBoth obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) and periodic limb movements of sleep (PLMS) are common in the sleep laboratory. The severity of OSA can be improved by using continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP). However, increasing evidence has shown an elevated periodic limb movement index (PLMI) in patients with OSA who use CPAP, although the pathophysiology is still unknown. This meta-analysis aimed to investigate changes in PLMS after using CPAP and the potential pathophysiology of these changes.MethodsClinical trials in adult humans investigating the comorbidity between PLMS and CPAP were identified and analyzed using random-effects model meta-analysis.ResultsThis meta-analysis included 14 studies comprising 2,938 patients with OSA. The PLMI was significantly increased after using CPAP with a difference in means of 1.894 (95% confidence interval = 0.651–3.138, p = 0.003). Subgroup analysis showed that CPAP was only significantly associated with an increase in PLMI in the patients without PLMS at baseline (p = 0.045) and in those with a baseline body-mass index <30 kg/m2 (p = 0.045). The use of CPAP, apnea-hypopnea index, and arousal index were positively correlated with changes in PLMI.ConclusionThese characteristics may serve as qualitative predictive indicators of changes in PLMI after CPAP usage. Further analysis of the quantitative relationships between PLMI and the predictive indicators may be warranted.Trial RegistrationPROSPERO (registration number: CRD42021252635).

EFFICACY OF ARMODAFINIL IN PATIENTS WITH MODERATE TO SEVERE OSA AND RESIDUAL EXCESSIVE DAYTIME SLEEPINESS AFTER SUBOPTIMAL USAGE OF CPAP TREATMENT

TYPE: Late Breaking Abstract TOPIC: Sleep Disorders PURPOSE: Large number of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) patients treated with continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) still experienced excessive daytime sleepiness (EDS), which affects quality of life and may discourage CPAP treatment. Armodafinil, wakefulness promoting agent, is approved for treating EDS in OSA patients who still experience EDS despite adequate CPAP usage. To date, there are no studies investigating effectiveness of early administration of Armodafinil with suboptimal CPAP usage. METHODS: A 12-week prospective cohort study was conducted on 30 OSA patients with suboptimal CPAP usage (2-<4 hours/night) who still experienced EDS. All patients received 150-mg Armodafinil daily and continued using CPAP. Efficacy and side effects were evaluated. RESULTS: 17/30 patients were analyzed for preliminary results after 4 weeks of Armodafinil therapy. Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS) was significantly decreased from 13±2.72points at baseline therapy to 6.40±3.50 points (p<0.001). Clinical Global Impression (CGI) rated by investigator and by patients were significantly decreased from 3.73±0.70 to 1.73±0.45 (p<0.001) and decreased from 3.35±0.63 to 1.78±0.57 (p<0.001); respectively. Pittsburg Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) was also significantly decreased from 9.67±3.99 to 6.13±3.06 (p<0.001). No serious side effects were observed. CONCLUSIONS: This is the first study conducted in moderate to severe OSA patients with residual EDS after suboptimal usage of CPAP treatment, in which administration of Armodafinil for 4-week- period was generally well tolerated with mild and self-limiting side effects. Armodafinil significantly reduced daytime sleepiness and improved sleep quality. Efficacy of Armodafinil at 12- week-period will be further analyzed. CLINICAL IMPLICATIONS: Early administration of Armodafinil can decrease EDS in subopimal CPAP usage patients. DISCLOSURE: No significant relationships. KEYWORD: Excessive daytime sleepiness