Sleep-disordered breathing after stroke: a randomised controlled trial of continuous positive airway pressure.
BACKGROUND
Sleep-disordered breathing (SDB) is common after stroke, but it is unclear whether it should be treated.


OBJECTIVE
To conduct a randomised controlled trial of continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) after stroke.


METHODS
Patients with stroke with > or = 30 apnoeas and hypopnoeas per hour ((A+H)/h) with predominant obstructive sleep apnoea or hypopnoea were randomised to either CPAP treatment or conservative treatment for 8 weeks. Outcomes were measured blind to treatment allocation at 8 weeks and 6 months after the stroke. The primary outcome was physical function on the Nottingham Extended Activities of Daily Living Scale.


RESULTS
Of 658 patients with stroke screened, only 71 (10.7%) were eligible and consented to a sleep study 14-19 days after stroke. 66 patients completed the sleep study (21 women; mean age 72 years), 33 (50%) had > or = 30 (A+H)/h that were predominantly obstructive. 15 were randomised to CPAP treatment and 15 to conventional treatment. Despite intensive efforts, objective use of CPAP was poor, averaging 1.4 h a night. CPAP treatment resulted in no significant improvements (p>0.1) in the primary outcome or in neurological function or sleepiness, and in poorer health status on some measures.


CONCLUSIONS
This trial showed no benefit from CPAP treatment, the relevance of the observed detrimental effects is questionable. Even in our highly selected patients with stroke, use of CPAP was poor. At present, CPAP treatment should be advocated for patients with stroke only if they have symptoms of SDB.
Hsu
C-Y
CY
Department of Sleep Medicine, Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh, 51 Little France Crescent, Edinburgh EH16 4SA, UK.
Vennelle
M
M
Li
H-Y
HY
Engleman
H M
HM
Dennis
M S
MS
Douglas
N J
NJ
D000203:Activities of Daily Living; D000339:Affect; D000368:Aged; D003071:Cognition; D045422:Continuous Positive Airway Pressure; D005221:Fatigue; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D012891:Sleep Apnea Syndromes / Q000209:etiology* / Q000628:therapy*; D020521:Stroke / Q000150:complications*; D016896:Treatment Outcome