Outcome of Continuous Positive Airway Pressure Treatment with Suboptimal Pressure in Obstructive Sleep Apnea

Abstract

Continuous positive airway pressure is the treatment of choice for obstructive sleep apnea, and is highly effective especially in moderate-to-severe obstructive sleep apnea. Although continuous positive airway pressure treatment with optimal pressure is ideal, some patients undergo continuous positive airway pressure treatment with suboptimal pressure. We aimed to evaluate the treatment outcome of continuous positive airway pressure with suboptimal pressure in obstructive sleep apnea. In this study, although mean apnea-hypopnea index was reduced after 3 and 6 months of continuous positive airway pressure treatment with suboptimal pressure compared to that of diagnostic polysomnography, continuous positive airway pressure treatment with suboptimal pressure is effective to reduce mean apnea-hypopnea index to less than 5 only in 53.85% after 3 months of continuous positive airway pressure treatment, and 60% of patients after 6 months of continuous positive airway pressure treatment, respectively.

Keywords

• Obstructive sleep apnea
• Continuous positive airway pressure
• Treatment outcome
• Pressure