Comparing CPAP masks during initial titration for Obstructive Sleep Apnea Syndrome: one-year experience

Abstract Objective: Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP) is the gold standard treatment for OSA. A wide variety of masks are used during CPAP therapy. The aim of the study is to compare polysomnography outcomes during titration for different types of masks (oronasal, nasal and pillow) and assess the impact on PAP titration. Methods: We retrospectively analyzed all CPAP titration polysomnography for one year. Anthropometric data and baseline apnea severity were documented. Results: A total of 497 patients were evaluated. Nasal masks were used in 82.3% (n = 409), pillow in 14.1% (n = 70) and oronasal in 3.6% (n = 18). There was no difference according to body mass index and baseline apnea-hypopnea index among the groups. The oronasal group was older and had higher titrated CPAP pressure, higher residual apnea-hypopnea index, lower sleep efficiency, more superficial N1 sleep and longer wake time after sleep onset. All other polysomnography outcomes were similar among the groups. The mean CPAP level was 11.6 ± 2.1 cm H2O for the oronasal mask, 10.1 ± 2.1 cm H2O for the nasal mask and 9.8 ± 2.2 cm H2O for the pillow. The residual apnea-hypopnea index was 10.4 ± 7.9 for the oronasal mask, 5.49 ± 5.34 events/h for the nasal mask and 4.98 ± 5.48 events/h for the pillow. The baseline apnea-hypopnea index was correlated with of a higher CPAP pressure for all the groups (p< 0.001 for the nasal group, p = 0.001 for the pillow group and p = 0.049 for the oronasal group). Body mass index and residual AHI were correlated with of a higher CPAP pressure for the nasal and pillow groups only (p < 0.001). Conclusion: The interface can have a significant impact on the effectiveness of PAP titration. Patients with oronasal masks have higher CPAP pressure, higher residual apnea-hypopnea index, lower sleep efficiency and higher wake time after sleep onset. Oronasal masks should not be recommended as the first choice for apnea patients. Level of evidence: Level 3.

Comparing CPAP masks during initial titration for Obstructive Sleep Apnea Syndrome: one-year experience.

OBJECTIVE: Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP) is the gold standard treatment for OSA. A wide variety of masks are used during CPAP therapy. The aim of the study is to compare polysomnography outcomes during titration for different types of masks (oronasal, nasal and pillow) and assess the impact on PAP titration. METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed all CPAP titration polysomnography for one year. Anthropometric data and baseline apnea severity were documented. RESULTS: A total of 497 patients were evaluated. Nasal masks were used in 82.3% (n = 409), pillow in 14.1% (n = 70) and oronasal in 3.6% (n = 18). There was no difference according to body mass index and baseline apnea-hypopnea index among the groups. The oronasal group was older and had higher titrated CPAP pressure, higher residual apnea-hypopnea index, lower sleep efficiency, more superficial N1 sleep and longer wake time after sleep onset. All other polysomnography outcomes were similar among the groups. The mean CPAP level was 11.6 ±â€¯2.1 cm H2O for the oronasal mask, 10.1 ±â€¯2.1 cm H2O for the nasal mask and 9.8 ±â€¯2.2 cm H2O for the pillow. The residual apnea-hypopnea index was 10.4 ±â€¯7.9 for the oronasal mask, 5.49 ±â€¯5.34 events/h for the nasal mask and 4.98 ±â€¯5.48 events/h for the pillow. The baseline apnea-hypopnea index was correlated with of a higher CPAP pressure for all the groups (p < 0.001 for the nasal group, p = 0.001 for the pillow group and p = 0.049 for the oronasal group). Body mass index and residual AHI were correlated with of a higher CPAP pressure for the nasal and pillow groups only (p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: The interface can have a significant impact on the effectiveness of PAP titration. Patients with oronasal masks have higher CPAP pressure, higher residual apnea-hypopnea index, lower sleep efficiency and higher wake time after sleep onset. Oronasal masks should not be recommended as the first choice for apnea patients. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level 3.

Efficacy of nasal masks versus nasal pillows masks during continuous positive airway pressure titration for patients with obstructive sleep apnea.

PURPOSE: Nasal masks are usually the first choice for CPAP therapy, but patients may experience side effects. There are limited data regarding the efficacy of nasal pillows masks during CPAP titration. This study aimed to compare the polysomnography outcomes during CPAP titration while comparing two types of masks (nasal and pillows) and to assess whether or not the patient characteristics differed between mask preferences. METHODS: In a sleep-disorders clinic, we prospectively analyzed all patients undergoing CPAP titration for three consecutive months. CPAP pressures were manually titrated. Anthropometric data (age, sex, body mass index, and neck and waist circumferences) and OSA severity were documented. Patients completed a self-administered questionnaire that measured nasal obstruction (NOSE scale). Before titration, both types of masks were presented to patients, and each of them chose the one they preferred. RESULTS: Of 157 patients, 55% (n = 86) used nasal masks, and 45% (n = 71) used nasal pillows masks. There was no difference according to mask type chosen by age, sex, body mass index, neck and waist circumferences, and NOSE scale. Polysomnography outcomes were similar between the mask groups. The mean CPAP level was 9.4 ± 1.8 cm H2O for nasal masks and 9.1 ± 2.0 cm H2O for nasal pillows (p = 0.61). Residual apnea-hypopnea index was 3.0 ± 2.8 events/h for nasal mask and 3.5 ± 4.1 events/h for pillow mask (p = 0.28). Baseline AHI, body mass index, neck and waist circumferences, and residual AHI were independent predictors of a higher CPAP pressure for both groups (p < 0.0001). CONCLUSIONS: Nasal pillows masks seem to be as effective as nasal masks and may be considered to be an initial choice for CPAP titration.

Application of the Kushida morphometric model in patients with sleep-disordered breathing.

UNLABELLED: The morphometric model is a useful screening test to investigate the possibility of OSAS in patients during initial office visits. AIM: To evaluate the clinical applicability of the Kushida morphometric model in a sample of patients with sleep-disordered breathing, and to define a cutoff value to differentiate patients with mild, moderate and severe apnea. METHOD: A sample of 80 patients with sleep respiratory disorder was studied. Patients were aged between 18 and 75 years, of both genders and had been submitted previously to polysomnography. The model cutoff value to distinguish between patients with or without apnea is 70. RESULTS: In this sample, the model cutoff value in all four groups was less than 70. It was impossible to establish a cutoff value according to the gravity of the condition, due to the proximity and the nonlinear increase in the values presented by the nonapneic group and those with mild and moderate apnea. CONCLUSION: The Kushida morphometric model can be applied in clinical practice to a selected sample and it was impossible to establish a cutoff value to separate patients with obstructive sleep apnea-hypopnea syndrome according to severity.

Upper airway surgery: the effect on nasal continuous positive airway pressure titration on obstructive sleep apnea patients.

The objective of this study was to observe the change in CPAP pressure after nasal and/or tonsil surgery in a retrospective study involving 17 patients unable to tolerate CPAP titration. All patients had two polysomnography studies for titration: one before and another subsequent to upper airway surgical treatment. The results showed a mean age of 49 +/- 9 years, a body mass index of 30 +/- 4 kg/m(2) and an apnea-hypopnea index of 38 +/- 19. Surgical procedures were radiofrequency reduction of the inferior turbinate (eight patients), septoplasty (one patient), septoplasty with inferior turbinectomy (two patients), septoplasty with inferior turbinate submucosal diathermy (two patients), septoplasty with tonsillectomy (two patients), septoplasty with inferior turbinate submucosal diathermy and tonsillectomy (one patient) and tonsillectomy (one patient). CPAP titration before and after surgery had respectively a mean pressure of 12.4 +/- 2.5 and 10.2 +/- 2.2 cmH(2)O ( P = 0.001). Maximum CPAP pressure was 16.4 cmH(2)O before and 13 cmH(2)O after surgery. A pressure reduction > or =1 cmH(2)O occurred in 76.5% of the patients and > or =3 cmH(2)O in 41.1%. Upper airway surgical treatment appears to have some benefit by reducing nasal CPAP pressure levels. The effect seems to be greater when the prior pressure was > or =14 cmH(2)O.