Clinical outcomes related to interface type in patients with obstructive sleep apnea/hypopnea syndrome who are using continuous positive airway pressure.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the effect of interface on objective compliance, patient satisfaction, adverse effects, quality of life, and residual sleep-disordered breathing in patients with obstructive sleep apnea/hypopnea syndrome (OSAHS) using continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP).


METHODS
Randomized, cross-over.


METHODS
Two suburban community-based hospital sleep laboratories.


METHODS
Data were collected on 39 patients with OSAHS (mean age, 48.7 years), in whom CPAP was a novel treatment.


METHODS
Interventions were nasal pillows (Breeze; Mallinckrodt Corporation; Minneapolis, MN) and nasal mask (Contour; Respironics; Murrysville, PA).


RESULTS
Outcomes assessed at the completion of each 3-week treatment period were objective compliance, adverse effects, and satisfaction with CPAP (CPAP questionnaire), daytime sleepiness (Epworth sleepiness scale [ESS]), quality of life (Functional Outcomes of Sleep Questionnaire [FOSQ]), sleep diary, and residual sleep-disordered breathing (apnea-hypopnea index [AHI]). Patients were randomly assigned to use the nasal pillows or the nasal mask following laboratory titration and initiated on CPAP (pressure range, 5 to 14 cm H(2)O). The percentage of days utilized favored the nasal pillows (94.1% vs 85.7%; p = 0.02), but minutes of use per night did not differ (nasal pillows, 223 min; nasal mask, 288 min). ESS scores were lower and the FOSQ total scores were higher following CPAP treatment (p < 0.001), but no differential treatment effects were noted. Fewer adverse effects, less trouble getting to sleep and staying asleep, and less air leak were reported with nasal pillows (p < 0.04). The mean +/- SD pretreatment AHI (47.1 +/- 35.1/h) was significantly lower following treatment with CPAP for both types of interface (nasal pillows, 10.2 +/- 9.8/h; nasal mask, 7.0 +/- 7.7/h; p < 0.001).


CONCLUSIONS
Nasal pillows are a well-tolerated and effective interface for OSAHS patients receiving CPAP at < or = 14 cm H(2)O. Use of nasal pillows was associated with fewer adverse effects and better sleep quality during the first 3 weeks of CPAP therapy. Further investigation is needed to determine whether interface type affects long-term CPAP use.
Massie
Clifford A
CA
Center for Sleep Health of Suburban Lung Associates, Elk Grove Village, IL 60007, USA. clifford.massie@sublung.com
Hart
Robert W
RW
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D018592:Cross-Over Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010349:Patient Compliance; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D011175:Positive-Pressure Respiration / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*; D011788:Quality of Life; D020181:Sleep Apnea, Obstructive / Q000628:therapy*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires