Predictive factors of quality-of-life improvement and continuous positive airway pressure use in patients with sleep apnea-hypopnea syndrome: study at 1 year.
OBJECTIVE
To assess predictive factors of quality-of-life (QoL) improvement and continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) use in patients with sleep apnea-hypopnea syndrome (SAHS) after 1 year of treatment with CPAP.


METHODS
Observational, prospective cohort study.


METHODS
Sleep unit in a university hospital.


METHODS
One hundred thirty-three consecutive patients with an indication for CPAP treatment.


RESULTS
Nottingham health profile (NHP) questionnaire, Epworth sleepiness scale score, and objective CPAP use (time counter in the CPAP device) were assessed at baseline and after 3 months and 12 months of CPAP use. Multivariate logistic regression was used to identify predictive factors of CPAP use and improved QoL. At 1 year, 101 patients (76%) were still using CPAP; of these, 88 patients (66%) completed all the follow-up questionnaires. QoL was lower before treatment, compared with the general population, and all dimensions of the NHP, except social isolation, improved significantly from baseline in patients regularly using CPAP, reaching levels comparable to those of the general population at 1 year. Only minimum oxyhemoglobin saturation at diagnostic polysomnography was associated with the degree of QoL improvement at 1 year. Only the NHP and the apnea-hypopnea index (AHI) at baseline were significantly associated with hours of CPAP use at 1 year.


CONCLUSIONS
Compared to the general population, patients with untreated SAHS had a lower QoL, which improved to the level of the general population after 3 months of CPAP therapy and persisted at 1 year of treatment with CPAP. The only predictor of QoL improvement was minimum nocturnal oxygen saturation at baseline. Higher AHI and worse QoL at baseline were predictors of hours of CPAP use.
Servei de Pneumologia, Hospital General Vall d'Hebron, Passeig Vall d'Hebron 119-129, 08035 Barcelona, Spain. plloberes@vhebron.net
Patricia
P
Lloberes
Sergi
S
Martí
Gabriel
G
Sampol
Antoni
A
Roca
Teresa
T
Sagales
Xavier
X
Muñoz
Montserrat
M
Ferrer
D045422:Continuous Positive Airway Pressure; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D010108:Oxyhemoglobins / Q000032:analysis; D017286:Polysomnography; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011788:Quality of Life; D012891:Sleep Apnea Syndromes / Q000209:etiology*; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D010108:Oxyhemoglobins