Adherence to CPAP Improves Quality of Life, Oral Appliances are as Effective as CPAP but show Higher Compliance.

A recent study in Sleep and Breathing Journal,"Adherence to CPAP therapy improves quality of life and reduces symptoms among obstructive sleep apnea syndrome patients"showed significant improvement in patients who used CPAP for 6 months.

A more careful look at the study also shows the major problem with CPAP.

This study looked at 50 patients, 41 men and 9 women who were "compliant" with CPAP usage. This means that they wore CPAP an average of 4-5 hours/night. It is well established that 7-7.5 hours/night is ideal CPAP usage. Standardized tests showed subjective improvement in quality of life but a large group of patients still reported "excessive fatigue" (54.5%), and "decreased energy" (55.3%).

The real danger to using CPAP for 4-5 hours a night is the risk of cardiovascular events including heart attack and stroke. Patients with untreated sleep apnea have an enormous and dangerous increased risk of myocardial infarction and cerebral vascular accidents in the early morning hours, usually between 3 and 5 AM. Patient who wear CPAP for only 4-5 hours are no longer utilizing it during the hours of greatest risk!

The danger of unacceptably low CPAP use (4-5 hours /night) was well documented by an article in Sleep (2011 Jan 1;34(1):105-10.) "Reliable calculation of the efficacy of non-surgical and surgical treatment of obstructive sleep apnea revisited."

The article concludes "Using a mean AHI in CPAP therapy is more realistic than using arbitrary compliance rates, which, in fact, hide insufficient reductions in AHI." Clearly stating 4-5 hour compliance is a poor measure of success.

Compare this information to a recent article in Chest (2011 Jun 2) "Efficacy of An Adjustable Oral Appliance and Comparison to Continuous Positive Airway Pressure For the Treatment of Obstructive Sleep Apnea Syndrome." Where they found high effectiveness of Oral Appliances. Oral Appliances are utilized by most patients for the entire night.





Sleep Breath. 2011 Jun 11. [Epub ahead of print]
Adherence to CPAP therapy improves quality of life and reduces symptoms among obstructive sleep apnea syndrome patients.
Avlonitou E, Kapsimalis F, Varouchakis G, Vardavas CI, Behrakis P.
Source

Sleep Laboratory, Henry Dunant Hospital, Athens, Greece.
Abstract
PURPOSE:

The aim of the study was to asses quality of life and symptoms of obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS) patients after adhering to 6 months of continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) treatment.
METHODS:

A group of 50 patients (41 men and 9 women) were diagnosed by polysomnography and treated with CPAP therapy for 6 months. Their symptoms and health-related quality of life were assessed by administering a validated and translated version of the sleep apnea quality of life index (SAQLI). Sleepiness was measured using the Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS) and through electronic monitoring of CPAP usage per night of sleep.
RESULTS:

Mean CPAP usage was 4.5 ± 0.5 h per night. Comparisons between quality of life indexes before and after CPAP treatment showed an improvement in the total SAQLI score (3.8 ± 0.9 vs. 5.8 ± 0.8 after CPAP, p < 0.01), in daily functioning (4.2 ± 1.4 vs. 6.0 ± 0.9, p < 0.01), social interactions (4.8 ± 1.3 vs.6.3 ± 0.7, p < 0.01), emotional functioning (4.4 ± 1.4 vs. 5.7 ± 1.0, p < 0.01), symptoms (1.6 ± 0.8 vs. 5.8 ± 1.2, p < 0.01), and in the ESS (13.7 ± 6.5 vs. 3.9 ± 3.8, p < 0.01). Regarding the patients' symptoms, improvement was noticed for "sleepiness while watching a spectacle" (96%), "reading" (95%), "carrying on a conversation" (95%), "driving" (92.9%), "restless sleep" (87.8%), and "urinating more than once per night" (84.8%). Smaller improvements were observed for the reported "dry mouth-throat upon awakening" (36.1%),"excessive fatigue" (54.5%), and "decreased energy" (55.3%).
CONCLUSION:

We conclude that OSAS patients who adhere to nighttime CPAP therapy show significant improvement of their quality of life, daytime sleepiness, and other symptoms after 6 months of treatment with CPAP. The article explains mathematically the problems of considering 4-5 hours as "success. "The more severe the AHI, the more percentage of total sleep time (TST) CPAP must be used to significantly reduce the AHI. Patients with moderate OSA reduce the AHI by 33.3% to 48.3% when using CPAP 4 h/ night (AHI 0-5, respectively). The required nightly percentage use rises as one reduces the AHI target to < 5. CPAP must be used 66.67% to 83.33% per night to reduce the AHI below 5 (AHI of 0 while using CPAP). By using these definitions most CPAP usage of 4-5 hours a night is actually only partial treatment leaving the patient at risk.



Sleep. 2011 Jan 1;34(1):105-10.
Reliable calculation of the efficacy of non-surgical and surgical treatment of obstructive sleep apnea revisited.
Ravesloot MJ, de Vries N.
Source

Sint Lucas Andreas Ziekenhuis, Department of Otolaryngology/Head Neck Surgery, Amsterdam, the Netherlands. m.ravesloot@slaz.nl
Abstract
BACKGROUND:

Various treatment methods exist to treat obstructive sleep apnea (OSA); continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) is considered the gold standard. It is however a clinical reality that the use of CPAP is often cumbersome. CPAP treatment is considered compliant when used ≥ 4 h per night as an average over all nights observed. Surgery, on the other hand, is regarded as successful when the apnea hypopnea index (AHI) drops at least 50% and is reduced below 20/h postoperatively in patients whose preoperative AHI was > 20/h. The effectiveness of CPAP compliance criteria can be questioned, just as the effectiveness of surgical success criteria has often been questioned.
STUDY OBJECTIVES:

The aim of the study was to compare non optimal use of optimal therapy (CPAP) with the continuous effect (100%) of often non optimal therapy (surgery).
DESIGN:

Using mathematical function formulas, the effect on the AHI of various treatment modalities and their respective compliance and success criteria were calculated.
RESULTS:

The more severe the AHI, the more percentage of total sleep time (TST) CPAP must be used to significantly reduce the AHI. Patients with moderate OSA reduce the AHI by 33.3% to 48.3% when using CPAP 4 h/ night (AHI 0-5, respectively). The required nightly percentage use rises as one reduces the AHI target to < 5. CPAP must be used 66.67% to 83.33% per night to reduce the AHI below 5 (AHI of 0 while using CPAP).
CONCLUSION:

Using a mean AHI in CPAP therapy is more realistic than using arbitrary compliance rates, which, in fact, hide insufficient reductions in AHI.

PMID:
21203364
[PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]
PMCID: PMC3001787
[Available on 2011/7/1]

Chest. 2011 Jun 2. [Epub ahead of print]
Efficacy of An Adjustable Oral Appliance and Comparison to Continuous Positive Airway Pressure For the Treatment of Obstructive Sleep Apnea Syndrome.
Holley AB, Lettieri CJ, Shah AA.
Source

Pulmonary, Critical Care, and Sleep Medicine, Walter Reed Army Medical Center.
Abstract
BACKGROUND:

We sought to establish the efficacy of an adjustable oral appliance (aOA) in the largest patient population studied to date, and provide a comparison to CPAP.
METHODS:

Retrospective analysis of patients prescribed an aOA. Results of overnight, PSG with aOA titration were evaluated and compared to CPAP. Predictors of a successful aOA titration were determined using a multivariate logistic regression model.
RESULTS:

A total of 497 patients were prescribed an aOA during the specified time period. The aOA reduced the mean AHI to 8.4±11.4, and 70.3%, 47.6%, and 41.4% of patients with mild, moderate, and severe disease achieved an AHI<5, respectively. Patients using an aOA decreased their mean Epworth Sleepiness Score (ESS) by 2.71 (95% CI: 2.3-3.2; p<0.001) at follow-up. CPAP improved the AHI by - 3.43 (95% CI: 1.88-4.99; p<0.001) when compared to an aOA, but when adjusted for severity of disease, this difference only reached significance for patients with severe disease (-5.88 (95% CI: -8.95 - -2.82; p<0.001)). However, 70.1% of all patients achieved an AHI < 5using CPAP, compared to 51.6% for the aOA (p<0.001). On multivariate analysis, baseline AHI was a significant predictor of achieving an AHI < 5 on aOA titration, and age showed a trend toward significance.
CONCLUSIONS:

In comparison to past reports, more patients in our study achieved an AHI < 5 using an aOA. The aOA is comparable to CPAP for patients with mild disease, while CPAP is superior for patients with moderate to severe disease. A lower AHI was the only predictor of a successful aOA titration.

Why CPAP is not effective in treating resistant hypertension. Does CPAP fail to reduce stroke risk and myocardial risk?

I have reviewed several article recently on why CPAP doesn't seem overly helpful in treating hypertension. A new article in Sleep Medicine Review "A systematic review of CPAP adherence across age groups: Clinical and empiric insights for developing CPAP adherence interventions." clearly explains why CPAP is ineffective intreatment of hypertension. IT ISN'T USED or it isn't used enough. The article clearly states "Continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) is a highly efficacious treatment for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) but adherence to the treatment limits its overall effectiveness across all age groups of patients", in simple English, CPAP does not work because CPAP is not used!

Numerous studies have shown low CPAP compliance with only 23-42% of patients utilizing CPAP and a recent study showed 60% quit CPAP completely.

CPAP SUCCESS IS DESCRIBED AS USING CPAP 4-5 NIGHTS FOR 4-5 HOURS A NIGHT, THIS TYPE OF SUCCESS CAN KILL YOU OR LEAD TO CARDIOVASCULAR ACCIDENTS AND STROKES. More importantly this horrendous description of success lulls cardiologists into a false sense of security with treatment.

Studies have shown that most heart attacks and strokes occur between 3-5 AM. The typical patient only wears their CPAP for 4-5 hours/ night. Patients who go to sleep with their CPAP at 10 PM and wear it 4-5 hours will be untreated during the critical hours of 3-5 AM.

It is time for the sleep community to recognize that part-time CPAP use can result in deadly outcomes. An article in the Journal of Human Hypertension "Resistant hypertension, obstructive sleep apnoea and aldosterone." state that "CPAP studies do, however, indicate a wide variation in the BP effects of CPAP, with some patients manifesting a large antihypertensive benefit such that a meaningful BP effect can be anticipated in some individuals. OSA is particularly common in patients with resistant hypertension (RHTN)" The wide variation is likely based on CPAP use. CPAP used 4 hours a night is at best 50% effective, and totally ineffective during times of highest risk.

Treatment of Obstructive Sleep Apnea is essential for many reasons. A recent study showed that oral appliances and CPAP are equivlant when objectively titrated. Oral appliances show much higher compliance than CPAP in both time of use and frequency of use. This could correct hormonal changes that occur due to sleep disruption.

"Diagnosis and treatment of primary aldosteronism" is an article published in
Endocrinology Metabolism Clinics of North America (2011 Jun;40(2):313-32) states that "A few simple rules can allow physicians to successfully identify many patients with arterial hypertension caused by PA among the so-called essential hypertensive patients. The hyperaldosteronism and the hypokalemia can be cured with adrenalectomy in practically all of these patients.

The removal of the adrenal gland may cure the hypertension but the cause of adrenal excess is obstructive sleep apnea that is not effectively treated due to short time use of CPAP.

IF PATIENTS ARE NOT RESOLVING HYPERTENSION PROBLEMS AN ORAL APPLIANCE TRIAL SHOULD PRECEDE ADRENALECTOMY.

Many sleep physicians are "married" to CPAP and their blinders make them declare 70-90% success rates in their patients even though objective studies show that their success is due not to high patient compliance but rather success described as 4-5 hours of use.

Cardiologists, endocrinologists and vascular surgeons need to demand higher levels of success from the sleep community. Unfortunately CPAP is the fiscal engine that drives much of sleep medicine. The elimination of stage 4 sleep from sleep reports was due to the inability of CPAP to return a normal Delta Sleep percentage. Research at University of Chicago showed that Growth Hormone is produced during the first period of Delta Sleep as a quick example. Dumbing down of sleep medicine is inexcusable. Currently Sleep Labs Accredited by the AASM are not even allowed to break Slow Wave sleep into stage 3 and 4.


Sleep Med Rev. 2011 Jun 6. [Epub ahead of print]
A systematic review of CPAP adherence across age groups: Clinical and empiric insights for developing CPAP adherence interventions.
Sawyer AM, Gooneratne NS, Marcus CL, Ofer D, Richards KC, Weaver TE.
Source

University of Pennsylvania School of Nursing, Biobehavioral Health Sciences Division, USA; Philadelphia Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Philadelphia, PA, USA.
Abstract

Continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) is a highly efficacious treatment for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) but adherence to the treatment limits its overall effectiveness across all age groups of patients. Factors that influence adherence to CPAP include disease and patient characteristics, treatment titration procedures, technological device factors and side effects, and psychological and social factors. These influential factors have guided the development of interventions to promote CPAP adherence. Various intervention strategies have been described and include educational, technological, psychosocial, pharmacological, and multi-dimensional approaches. Though evidence to date has led to innovative strategies that address adherence in CPAP-treated children, adults, and older adults, significant opportunities exist to develop and test interventions that are clinically applicable, specific to sub-groups of patients likely to demonstrate poor adherence, and address the multi-factorial nature of CPAP adherence. The translation of CPAP adherence promotion interventions to clinical practice is imperative to improve health and functional outcomes in all persons with CPAP-treated OSA.

Copyright © 2011 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

J Hum Hypertens. 2011 Jun 9. doi: 10.1038/jhh.2011.47. [Epub ahead of print]
Resistant hypertension, obstructive sleep apnoea and aldosterone.
Dudenbostel T, Calhoun DA.
Source

Vascular Biology and Hypertension Program, Department of Medicine, Division of Cardiovascular Disease, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, USA.
Abstract

Obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA) and hypertension commonly coexist. Observational studies indicate that untreated OSA is strongly associated with an increased risk of prevalent hypertension, whereas prospective studies of normotensive cohorts suggest that OSA may increase the risk of incident hypertension. Randomized evaluations of continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) indicate an overall modest effect on blood pressure (BP). Determining why OSA is so strongly linked to having hypertension in cross-sectional studies, but yet CPAP therapy has limited BP benefit needs further exploration. The CPAP studies do, however, indicate a wide variation in the BP effects of CPAP, with some patients manifesting a large antihypertensive benefit such that a meaningful BP effect can be anticipated in some individuals. OSA is particularly common in patients with resistant hypertension (RHTN). The reason for this high prevalence of OSA is not fully explained, but data suggest that it may be related to the high occurrence of hyperaldosteronism in patients with RHTN. In patients with RHTN, it has been shown that aldosterone levels correlate with severity of OSA and that blockade of aldosterone reduces the severity of OSA. Overall, these findings are consistent with aldosterone excess contributing to worsening of underlying OSA. We hypothesize that aldosterone excess worsens OSA by promoting accumulation of fluid within the neck, which then contributes to increased upper airway resistance.Journal of Human Hypertension advance online publication, 9 June 2011; doi:10.1038/jhh.2011.47.

PMID:
21654850
[PubMed - as supplied by publisher]

Prog Cardiovasc Dis. 2009 Mar-Apr;51(5):371-80.
Sleep apnea, aldosterone, and resistant hypertension.
Pimenta E, Calhoun DA, Oparil S.
Source

Department of Hypertension and Nephrology, Dante Pazzanese Institute of Cardiology, Sao Paulo, SP, Brazil. espimenta@hotmail.com
Abstract

Obstructive sleep apnea, aldosterone excess, and resistant hypertension are common comorbidities in obese patients. The mechanisms that link these conditions are not fully elucidated, but sympathetic nervous system activation, sodium retention, renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system stimulation, endothelial dysfunction, and increased production of reactive oxidative species may be contributing factors. Patients diagnosed with this triad should be treated with low-salt diet, weight-loss counseling, and continuous positive airway pressure, as well as aggressive antihypertensive therapy, usually with multiple agents, including a mineralocorticoid receptor antagonist. Patients with aldosterone-producing adenoma may require adrenalectomy.

PMID:
19249443
[PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

Endocrinol Metab Clin North Am. 2011 Jun;40(2):313-32.
Diagnosis and treatment of primary aldosteronism.
Rossi GP.
Source

Molecular Hypertension Laboratory, Dipartimento di Medicina Clinica e Sperimentale (DMCS) 'G. Patrassi' - Internal Medicine 4, University of Padua, University Hospital Padua, Via Giustiniani, 2, 35126 Padua, Italy.
Abstract

Moreover, in a substantial proportion of them, the blood pressure can be normalized or markedly lowered if a unilateral cause of PA is discovered. Hence, the screening for PA can be rewarding both for the patient and for the clinician, particularly in those cases where hypertension is severe and/or resistant to treatment, in which the removal of an APA can allow blood pressure to be brought under control despite withdrawal of, or a prominent reduction in, the number and doses of antihypertensive medications.

Copyright © 2011 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

PMID:
21565669
[PubMed - in process]

ORAL APPLIANCES ARE A CONSERVATIVE METHOD OF TREATMENT ACCORDING TO THE NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF NEUROLOGICAL DISORDERS AND STROKE.

THE FOLLOWING PAGE FROM THE NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF NEUROLOGICAL DISORDERS AND STROKE OF THE NIH IS REPRINTED FROM http://www.ninds.nih.gov/disorders/sleep_apnea/sleep_apnea.htm

IN ADDITION TO THE WELL KNOWN SYMPTOM OF EXCESSIVE DAYTIME SLEEPINESS IT ALSO RECOGNIZES "morning headaches, trouble concentrating, irritability, forgetfulness, mood or behavior changes, anxiety, and depression AS ASSOCIATED DISORDER.

WHILE MANY IN THE MEDICAL SLEEP COMMUNITY ALWAYS LOOK AT CPAP AS THE FIRST LINE TREATMENT THE NINDS RECOGNIZES ORAL APPLIANCES AS A CONSERVATIVE TREATMENT OF SLEEP APNEA. THE FIRST LINE THERAPY FOR SLEEP APNEA ARE CONSERVATIVE METHODS "Most treatment regimens begin with lifestyle changes, such as avoiding alcohol and medications that relax the central nervous system (for example, sedatives and muscle relaxants), losing weight, and quitting smoking. Some people are helped by special pillows or devices that keep them from sleeping on their backs, or oral appliances to keep the airway open during sleep." AND CPAP IS COSIDERED A LESS CONSERVATIVE APPROACH ALONG WITH SURGERY. THE ARTICLE STATES "If these conservative methods are inadequate, doctors often recommend continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP), in which a face mask is attached to a tube and a machine that blows pressurized air into the mask and through the airway to keep it open. There are also surgical procedures that can be used to remove tissue and widen the airway.

THE SLEEP COMMUNTIY OFTEN MAKES CPAP THE FIRST AND SOMETIMES ONLY TREATMENT OF CHOICE. THE MORE RATIONAL APPROACH OF THE THE NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF NEUROLOGICAL DISORDERS AND STROKE OF THE NIH IS A FRESH APPROACH.

WHY CONSIDR CPAP A FIRST LINE TREATMENT WHEN MOST PATIENTS DO NOT TOLERATE CPAP.

CONSIDERING SLEEP POSITION, WEIGHT LOSS AND ORAL APPLIANCES AS CONSEVATIVE APPROACHES RECOGNIZE NOT JUST THE EFFECTIVENESS OF THESE TREATMENTS BUT ALSO THE CONSERVATIVE NATURE OF THESE TREATMENTS.

THE FOLLOWING IS INFORMATION FROM THE NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF NEUROLOGICAL DISORDERS AND STROKE SITE.

What is Sleep Apnea?
Sleep apnea is a common sleep disorder characterized by brief interruptions of breathing during sleep. These episodes usually last 10 seconds or more and occur repeatedly throughout the night. People with sleep apnea will partially awaken as they struggle to breathe, but in the morning they will not be aware of the disturbances in their sleep. The most common type of sleep apnea is obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), caused by relaxation of soft tissue in the back of the throat that blocks the passage of air. Central sleep apnea (CSA) is caused by irregularities in the brain’s normal signals to breathe. Most people with sleep apnea will have a combination of both types. The hallmark symptom of the disorder is excessive daytime sleepiness. Additional symptoms of sleep apnea include restless sleep, loud snoring (with periods of silence followed by gasps), falling asleep during the day, morning headaches, trouble concentrating, irritability, forgetfulness, mood or behavior changes, anxiety, and depression. Not everyone who has these symptoms will have sleep apnea, but it is recommended that people who are experiencing even a few of these symptoms visit their doctor for evaluation. Sleep apnea is more likely to occur in men than women, and in people who are overweight or obese.

Is there any treatment?

There are a variety of treatments for sleep apnea, depending on an individual’s medical history and the severity of the disorder. Most treatment regimens begin with lifestyle changes, such as avoiding alcohol and medications that relax the central nervous system (for example, sedatives and muscle relaxants), losing weight, and quitting smoking. Some people are helped by special pillows or devices that keep them from sleeping on their backs, or oral appliances to keep the airway open during sleep. If these conservative methods are inadequate, doctors often recommend continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP), in which a face mask is attached to a tube and a machine that blows pressurized air into the mask and through the airway to keep it open. There are also surgical procedures that can be used to remove tissue and widen the airway. Some individuals may need a combination of therapies to successfully treat their sleep apnea.
What is the prognosis?

Untreated, sleep apnea can be life threatening. Excessive daytime sleepiness can cause people to fall asleep at inappropriate times, such as while driving. Sleep apnea also appears to put individuals at risk for stroke and transient ischemic attacks (TIAs, also known as “mini-strokes”), and is associated with coronary heart disease, heart failure, irregular heartbeat, heart attack, and high blood pressure. Although there is no cure for sleep apnea, recent studies show that successful treatment can reduce the risk of heart and blood pressure problems.
What research is being done?

The National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS) and other institutes of the National Institutes of Health (NIH) conduct research related to sleep apnea in laboratories at the NIH, and also support additional research through grants to major medical institutions across the country. Much of this research focuses on finding better ways to prevent, treat, and ultimately cure sleep disorders, such as sleep apnea.