rss
Thorax 1999;54:147-149 doi:10.1136/thx.54.2.147
  • Short paper

Two months follow up of auto-CPAP treatment in patients with obstructive sleep apnoea

  1. A Boudewynsa,
  2. V Grillier-Lanoird,
  3. M J Willemenb,
  4. W A De Cockc,
  5. P H Van de Heyninga,
  6. W A De Backerb
  1. aDepartment of Otorhinolaryngology, bDepartment of Pulmonary Medicine, cDepartment of Psychiatry, dUniversity Hospital Antwerp, Wilrijkstraat 10, 2650 Edegem, Belgium Sefam Pôle Technologique, Villers les Nancy, France
  1. Dr A Boudewyns.
  • Received 16 February 1998
  • Revision requested 31 March 1998
  • Revised 8 October 1998
  • Accepted 12 October 1998

Abstract

BACKGROUND Continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) with fixed mask pressure is the current standard treatment for obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA). Auto-CPAP devices apply at any time the minimally required pressure to normalise breathing and may improve patient comfort and compliance. We present an open descriptive study of auto-CPAP treatment at home in patients previously managed with conventional CPAP.

METHODS Fifteen patients with obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA), previously treated for at least one year with standard CPAP, were followed prospectively for a two month period on auto-CPAP. Outcome measures were both subjective evaluation by the patients and objective (polysomnographic) data obtained at one and two months of follow up.

RESULTS The Epworth sleepiness score did not change significantly between baseline and follow up after one and two months and no systematic changes in CPAP related side effects were reported. Compared with the baseline polysomnographic values without treatment, a significant improvement in both respiratory and sleep parameters was observed during auto-CPAP. These results were not significantly different from those obtained with standard CPAP. A significant correlation was found between the effective CPAP pressure (Peff) and the amount of time spent below Peff during auto-CPAP treatment (r = 0.6, p = 0.01).

CONCLUSION Long term auto-CPAP treatment in these patients with severe OSA appears to provide comparable efficacy to that of standard CPAP treatment.

Footnotes

    This Article

    1. Abstract
    2. Full text
    3. PDF

    Register for free content


    Free trial
    Individuals may register for a free 60 day online trial to all content.

    Free archive
    The full back archive is now available for all BMJ Journals. Institutional subscribers may access the entire archive as part of their subscription. Personal subscribers will also have access to all content when logged in. Non-subscribers who register have free access to all articles published before 2006 right back to volume 1 issue 1. Register here to access the free archive of all BMJ Journals.

    Don't forget to sign up for content alerts so you keep up to date with all the articles as they are published.