Auto-adaptive positive airway pressure improves lung function and arterial stiffness parameters in patients with severe obstructive sleep apnea syndrome over a 1 year follow-up

Tanja Milicevic; Josip Katic; Stjepanka Nakic Milovac; Andrija Matetic; Jure Aljinovic; Zoran Dogas; Grgo Gunjaca

doi:10.1088/1361-6579/abcdf5

Auto-adaptive positive airway pressure improves lung function and arterial stiffness parameters in patients with severe obstructive sleep apnea syndrome over a 1 year follow-up

Physiol Meas. 2020 Dec 31;41(12):125006. doi: 10.1088/1361-6579/abcdf5.

Authors

Tanja Milicevic¹, Josip Katic², Stjepanka Nakic Milovac³, Andrija Matetic^{2

4}, Jure Aljinovic^{5

6}, Zoran Dogas⁷, Grgo Gunjaca³

Affiliations

¹ Department of Endocrinology and Diabetology, University Hospital of Split, Split, Croatia.
² Department of Cardiology, University Hospital of Split, Split, Croatia.
³ Community Health Center Split-Dalmatia County, Split, Croatia.
⁴ Department of Pathophysiology, University of Split School of Medicine, Split, Croatia.
⁵ Institute of Physical and Rehabilitation Medicine with Rheumatology, University Hospital of Split, Split, Croatia.
⁶ University Department for Health Studies, University of Split, Split, Croatia.
⁷ Department of Neuroscience, University of Split School of Medicine, Split, Croatia.

PMID: 33382043
DOI: 10.1088/1361-6579/abcdf5

Abstract

Objective: Auto-adaptive positive airway pressure (APAP) is an emerging therapeutic modality for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) patients. However, their associated physiological effects have not been well-defined. Therefore, we aimed to investigate the impact of a 1 year APAP treatment on lung function and arterial stiffness parameters.

Approach: This study enrolled male patients with newly diagnosed severe OSA who have undergone APAP treatment. A total of 35 patients completed a 1 year follow up. Blood pressure, arterial stiffness (PWV, cAIx, pAIx, cSBP), and lung function readings (FEV₁, FVC, FEV₁/FVC, PEF) were obtained basally and after 1, 3, 6, and 12 months of treatment.

Main results: A gradual increase in FEV₁ has been observed over the follow-up (2.92 ± 0.88 versus 3.07 ± 0.92 versus 3.18 ± 0.93 versus 3.28 ± 0.93 versus 3.41 ± 0.97 L), while PWV showed a gradual decrease over the follow-up (9.72 ± 1.64 versus 9.32 ± 1.73 versus 8.89 ± 1.65 versus 8.53 ± 1.61 versus 8.46 ± 1.60 m s^-1), as measured by absolute values. Linear mixed effects model analysis revealed a statistically significantly higher FEV₁ values (coefficient of 0.11, 0.20, and 0.33 for 3rd month, 6th month, and 12th month, respectively, P < 0.001) and lower PWV values (coefficient of -0.69, -0.63, and -0.34 for 3rd month, 6th month, and 12th month, respectively, P < 0.001), after the initiation of APAP treatment.

Significance: We conclude that APAP treatment improves main lung function and arterial stiffness parameters in male patients with severe OSA over a 1 year follow-up.

MeSH terms

Continuous Positive Airway Pressure*
Follow-Up Studies
Humans
Lung / physiology*
Male
Respiratory Function Tests
Sleep Apnea, Obstructive* / therapy
Vascular Stiffness*