Article
Acceptance and side effects of continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) in patients with obstructive sleep apnea
Search Medline for
Authors
Published: | July 6, 2010 |
---|
Outline
Text
Introduction: Continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) is the gold standard in therapy of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). The compliance of this therapy is limited to numerous side effects, especially regarding complaints of nasal and upper airway symptoms. Humidified CPAP is potentially able to reduce these symptoms. The aim of the study is to compare CPAP with and without airway humidification regarding side effects and acceptance of nocturnal ventilation.
Material & methods: 74 patients (59±12 years, 54% f, 46% m) were included in this prospective trial and randomized to CPAP without (group 1; n=35) or with humidifier (group 2; n=39). Questionnaires regarding typical symptoms and side effects (visual analog scale) before and 3 months after therapy were completed by patients. The questionnaires documented the acceptance as well as the subjective and objective compliance (operating hours).
Results: In both groups 35% of patients discontinued therapy within the first 3 months. 67% of patients in group 1 and 91% in group 2 indicated to use CPAP every night (p<0.05). Operating hours in group 1 were 385±203 and in group 2 424±172, the difference was not statistically significant. Changes in nasal symptoms (e.g. dry nose) were similar in both groups.
Conclusion: The acceptance and objective compliance of CPAP seems to be independent of the prescription of a humidifier. The symptoms do not differ between both groups. The regularity of use (subjective compliance) can be increased by a humidifier, but the basically prescription of humidifier seems not to be justified.