Effect of nasal continuous positive airway pressure on obstructive sleep apnea hypopnea syndrome

Objective To explore the effect and co mp liance of nasal continuous positive airway pressure (nCPAP) on obstructive slee p apnea hypopnea syndrome (OSAHS). Methods Fifty patients with medium or severe OSAHS diagnosed by means of polysomnwgram (PSG) were titrated by Auto-CPAP (auto-continuous positive airway pressure).The reliable pressur e of 95% was regarded as the nCPAP pressure for treatment. Patients received PSG diagnosis again after 3～6 months of home nCPAP therapy, meantime, a questionna ire about usage was sent to patients. The clinical symptoms, relative parameter and compliance before and after treatment were compared. Results Of 40 cases which clinical material was complete,30 cases(87.5%) accepte d nCPAP every night, the average usage time was 6.8 ±2.0 hours and the average nCPAP pressure was 9.9±1.5cmH 2O according the questionnaire. After nCPAP tre atment,clinical symptoms including snore, frequent nighttime micturition, excess ive daytime sleepiness,swirling and fatigue were obviously reduced. Apnea-plus -hypopnea index (AHI) decreased from 66.2±19.2 to 7.8±4.9, the lowest SaO 2 %(LSaO 2%) during the sleep increased from 56.0± 17.4 to 88.1±4.2, mean SaO 2% (MSaO 2%) increased from 88.1±7.0 to 95.4±1.6, oxygen desaturation i ndex (DOI) decreased from 75.5±21.5 to 5.0±3.2. Differences of above indices b efore and after treatment were significant (P0.01). Conclusion nCPAP is the most effective and reliable treatment for me dium, severe OSAHS.Holding the indications of using nCPAP strictly, selecting op timal pressure, wearing nasal mask correctly and setting up systems for frequen t out-hospital visit are keys to improve patient compliance and long-term effe ct.