Therapy Continuous Positive Airway Research Articles

Obstructive sleep apnoea and adherence to continuous positive airway therapy among Australian women.

Clinical characteristics of women with different obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA) severity and adherence to continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) therapy have not been previously explored. To assess OSA prevalence, predictors, clinical and polysomnographic (PSG) characteristics and adherence to CPAP therapy among adult Australian women in a retrospective study. All female patients who underwent a diagnostic PSG between 2014 and 2015 were included. CPAP adherence was assessed during the study period between 2018 and 2019 using multiple regression models. Among a total of 591 women included in this study (Aboriginal, n = 86), OSA was diagnosed in 458/591 (78%) patients; mild, moderate and severe OSA was present in 44%, 27% and 29% respectively. Older age, higher BMI and hypertension predicted the presence and severity of OSA. The Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS) score was not significantly different with (8 (5, 12)) or without (10 (5, 13)) OSA. PSG showed the rapid eye movement (REM) sleep-associated apnoea-hypopnea index (AHI) was higher with all severity of OSA. Adherence to CPAP therapy was noted in 171 (57%) patients; 47% mild, 57% moderate and 63% with severe OSA respectively. Three multiple regression models (clinical, PSG parameters, OSA severity, combined (clinical and PSG)) showed the combined model had the strongest predictive value and demonstrated that higher ESS and more severe oxygen desaturation were associated with CPAP adherence irrespective of OSA severity. Older age, higher BMI and the presence of hypertension predicted the presence of OSA. The REM sleep-related AHI was higher. Adherence to CPAP was associated with symptomatic OSA and severe oxygen desaturation.

Arterial Stiffness Assessment Using the Arteriograph in Patients with Moderate-Severe OSA and Metabolic Syndrome-A Pilot Study.

Background: Both obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) and metabolic syndrome (MS) promote arterial stiffening. As a basis for this study, we presumed that arterial stiffness could be assessed using the Arteriograph (TensioMed, Budapest, Hungary) to detect early modifications induced by continuous positive airway therapy (CPAP) in reversing this detrimental vascular remodeling. Arterial stiffness is increasingly acknowledged as a major cardiovascular risk factor and a marker of subclinical hypertension-mediated organ damage. The aim of this pilot study was to evaluate the arterial stiffness changes in patients with moderate–severe OSA and MS after short-term CPAP use. Methods: We performed a prospective study that included patients with moderate–severe OSA and MS who had not undergone previous CPAP therapy. All subjects underwent clinical examination and arterial stiffness assessment using the oscillometric technique with Arteriograph (TensioMed, Budapest, Hungary) detection before and after 8-week CPAP therapy. Results: 39 patients with moderate–severe OSA were included. Eight weeks of CPAP therapy significantly improved central systolic blood pressure (Δ = −11.4 mmHg, p = 0.009), aortic pulse wave velocity (aoPWV: Δ = −0.66 m/s, p = 0.03), and aortic augmentation index (aoAix: Δ = −8.25%, p = 0.01) only in patients who used the device for a minimum of 4 h/night (n = 20). Conclusions: Arterial stiffness was improved only among CPAP adherent patients and could be detected using the Arteriograph (TensioMed, Budapest, Hungary), which involves a noninvasive procedure that is easy to implement for the clinical evaluation of arterial stiffness.

Abstract P255: Resistance Hypertension And Achievement Of Target Blood Pressure Level By Continuous Positive Airway Pressure Long Therapy In Patients With Obstructive Sleep Apnea

The aim was to assess the arterial stiffness changes in patients with resistant arterial hypertension (AH) and obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) and possibilities of its correction by continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP)-therapy. Design: In 10 month follow-up study were included 46 patients with RAH, who were divided into groups: 1-st - patients with RAH and moderate to severe OSA on CPAP (n=21); 2-nd - patients with RAH and moderate to severe OSA without CPAP (n=25). They underwent somnography by dual-channel portable monitor device, office and ambulatory blood pressure monitoring, echocardiography and applanation tonometry. All patients received similar antihypertensive therapy according to 2013 ESH Guidelines for the management of arterial hypertension. Results: Patients with RAH and OSA (mean apnea-hypopnea index (AHI) 36.5±2.7 event h-1) in comparison with patients with RAH without OSA (mean AHI 3.4±0.2 event h-1) had significantly higher body mass index (34.2±0.7 vs 31.6±0.7 kg m-2, P<0.05), uric acid level (6.7±0.1 vs 5.6±0.4 mg dl-1, P<0,05)). Patients with RAH and OSA in comparison with patients with RAH without OSA had higher carotid-femoral pulse wave velocity (PWVcf) (12.1±0.5 vs 10.2 m s-1, P<0,05) and central systolic blood pressure (CSBP) (143.8±2.7 vs 136.2±3.4 mm Hg, P<0,05). During 10 months follow-up in patients with RAH and moderate and sever OSA on CPAP-therapy there were significantly decrease of PWVcf (from 12.1±0.5 to 10.5±0.5 m s-1, P<0,05), decrease office systolic blood pressure (from 147.8±3.7 to 136.7±2.8 mm Hg; P<0,05) and diastolic blood pressure (from 96.8±3.5 to 87.0±3.3 mm Hg; P<0,05) with achievement of target levels in 67,2% patients. Central systolic BP decreased (from 143.8±2.7 to 137.7±2.8 mm Hg; P<0,05). Conclusion: The combination of therapy continuous positive airway pressure with antihypertensive treatment in patients with resistant arterial hypertension and moderate to severe obstructive sleep apnea improved achievement of target blood pressure, decreased arterial stiffness and decreased central blood pressure.

Improvement of Nocturnal Cluster Headache after Continuous Positive Airway Pressure Therapy in a Patient with Severe Obstructive Sleep Apnea

The relationship between cluster headache (CH) and sleep has been demonstrated. A 60-year-old man who suffered from refractory CH that occurred exclusively at night, complained of sleep fragmentation. Polysomnography revealed severe obstructive apnea with deep desaturation and sleep fragmentation every 2 hours due to cyclic pain. Three months of successful continuous positive airway therapy dramatically improved both headache intensity and frequency, as well as sleep apnea. This case suggests the significance of comorbid OSA when managing patients with CH or primary headaches with nocturnal tendencies.

Positional Sleep Apnea Among Regional and Remote Australian Population and Simulated Positional Treatment Effects.

PurposeTo assess the prevalence of positional sleep apnea (POSA) and its predictors in patients diagnosed to have obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) in the regional and remote population of the Northern Territory of Australia over a two-year study period (2018 and 2019).Patients and MethodsOf the total 1463 adult patients who underwent a diagnostic polysomnography (PSG), 946 patients were eligible to be included in the study, of them, 810 consecutive patients with OSA (Apnea-Hypopnea Index (AHI) ≥ 5) who slept >4 h and had ≥30 min sleep in both supine and lateral positions were assessed. Patients were considered to have POSA if supine AHI to lateral AHI ratio ≥2. The likely comparative impact of use of continuous positive airway therapy (CPAP) or positional therapy (PT) on disease severity was evaluated using model simulation.ResultsA total of 495/810 (61%) patients had POSA, the majority were males (68% vs 60%, p=0.013) and non-Indigenous Australians (93% vs 87%, p=0.004). POSA patients were younger (mean difference 2.23 years (95% CI 0.27, 4.19)), less obese (BMI mean difference 3.06 (95% CI 2.11, 4.01)), demonstrated less severe OSA (p < 0.001) and a greater proportion reported alcohol consumption (72% vs 62%, p=0.001) as compared to those with non-POSA. Using the simulation model, if patients with POSA use PT two-thirds (323/495, 65%) would obtain significant improvement of their OSA severity, with one in five (92/495, 19%) displaying complete resolution. Comparing this to simulated CPAP therapy, where the majority (444/495, 90%) will show significant improvement, and one-third (162/495, 33%) will display complete resolution.ConclusionPOSA needs to be routinely recognised and positional therapy integrated in practice especially in the remote regions and in the developing world when effective methods are in place to monitor positional therapy.

Outcome of Public Hospital-Funded Continuous Positive Airway Therapy Device for Patients with Obstructive Sleep Apnoea: An Australian Perspective Study

This study evaluated the clinical and quality of life amongst patients issued with a public hospital-funded continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) device via a dedicated CPAP clinic. Patients studied were eligible to have received a free public-funded CPAP device, through income and clinical criteria. Socio-demographics, medical co-morbidities, CPAP usage and problems with CPAP, obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA) symptoms and quality of life before and after CPAP therapy were analysed. A total of 88 patients were included, 56 (63.6%) were males, mean age 70.4 ± 13.0 years and body mass index (BMI) 35.7 ± 9.5 kg/m2. The mean duration of OSA diagnosis was 7.4 ± 4.7 years. Hypertension was present in 68%, diabetes 42% and atrial fibrillation in 27%. Prior to CPAP therapy, most common symptoms reported were snoring (76%), unrefreshing sleep (76%) and daytime fatigue and low energy levels (67%). Improvement with CPAP therapy reported were snoring (81%), disturbing partner’s sleep (81%) and observed apnoeic episodes (80%). About 61% were adherent to therapy (≥ 4 h/night for 70% of the nights). Patients who were adherent to CPAP therapy reported higher percentage of symptom improvement. Dryness of mouth was the most common adverse symptom reported (61%) and overall 73% reported improvement in quality of life with CPAP therapy. Public hospital-funded CPAP device has shown to improve OSA-related symptoms and improve quality of life. However, adherence to CPAP therapy was less than desired, but higher than previously reported studies that may be related to receipt of CPAP device with eligibility criteria.

Residual Events during Use of CPAP: Prevalence, Predictors, and Detection Accuracy.

To assess the frequency, severity, and determinants of residual respiratory events during continuous positive airway therapy (CPAP) for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) as determined by device output. Subjects were consecutive OSA patients at an American Academy of Sleep Medicine accredited multidisciplinary sleep center. Inclusion criteria included CPAP use for a minimum of 3 months, and a minimum nightly use of 4 hours. Compliance metrics and waveform data from 217 subjects were analyzed retrospectively. Events were scored manually when there was a clear reduction of amplitude (≥ 30%) or flow-limitation with 2-3 larger recovery breaths. Automatically detected versus manually scored events were subjected to statistical analyses included Bland-Altman plots, correlation coefficients, and logistic regression exploring predictors of residual events. The mean patient age was 54.7 ± 14.2 years; 63% were males. All patients had a primary diagnosis of obstructive sleep apnea, 26% defined as complex sleep apnea. Residual flow measurement based apnea-hypopnea index (AHIFLOW) > 5, 10, and 15/h was seen in 32.3%, 9.7%, and 1.8% vs. 60.8%, 23%, and 7.8% of subjects based on automated vs. manual scoring of waveform data. Automatically detected versus manually scored average AHIFLOW was 4.4 ± 3.8 vs. 7.3 ± 5.1 per hour. In a logistic regression analysis, the only predictors for a manual AHIFLOW > 5/h were the absolute central apnea index (CAI), (odds ratio [OR]: 1.5, p: 0.01, CI: 1.1-2.0), or using a CAI threshold of 5/h of sleep (OR: 5.0, p: < 0.001, CI: 2.2-13.8). For AHIFLOW > 10/h, the OR was 1.14, p: 0.03 (CI: 1.1-1.3) per every CAI unit of 1/hour. Residual respiratory events are common during CPAP treatment, may be missed by automated device detection and predicted by a high central apnea index on the baseline diagnostic study. Direct visualization of flow data is generally available and improves detection.

Chronic Cough and OSA: A New Association?

Chronic cough is defined as cough lasting more than 2 months. Common causes for chronic cough in nonsmokers with normal chest radiographs and pulmonary functions include gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), cough-variant asthma (CVA), and upper airway cough syndrome (UACS). Current guidelines recommend diagnosing the etiology of chronic cough based upon the results of therapy for suspected GERD, CVA, and UACS. Despite following current recommendations for diagnosis and treatment, the cause for a significant proportion of chronic cough remains unexplained.Recent reports indicate the resolution of chronic cough following treatment of concomitantly diagnosed obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). Whether this represents a co-occurrence of two commonly prevalent disorders or a pathophysiologic relationship between OSA and cough remains unknown. This review offers insights into a pathophysiologic link between OSA and the commonly purported etiologies for cough, namely, GERD, UACS, and CVA. In addition, evidence for a relationship between airway inflammation that can trigger or perpetuate cough and OSA is discussed. This review explores mechanisms by which nocturnal continuous positive airway therapy resolves cough by improving underlying airway inflammation secondary to OSA and impacts upon GERD, CVA, and UACS.