Quality of life, compliance, sleep and nasopharyngeal side effects during CPAP therapy with and without controlled heated humidification.
OBJECTIVE
To determine the effect of a controlled heated breathing tube humidifier (cHH) on the quality of life (QOL), compliance and nasopharyngeal side effects during continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) therapy in patients with obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS) in comparison with conventional CPAP.


METHODS
In this prospective randomised cross-over study, 44 patients with OSAS were investigated. During the first two consecutive treatment nights monitored by polysomnography, patients were randomly assigned to receive CPAP with or without cHH. Patients were then randomised to receive one of the treatment modalities at home for 4 weeks. Compliance was recorded and questionnaires assessing side effects and QOL were administered.


RESULTS
Sleep parameters measured during the nights in the sleep laboratory did not change. The same result applied to QOL and compliance measured after 4 weeks. During the first two nights we found significant differences between CPAP with and without cHH for dryness of mouth (2.0 ± 1.4 vs. 1.4 ± 1.6) in favour of cHH (p < 0.05). Evaluation of coldness of the face showed improvement whereas waking up due to wetness on the face (0.3 ± 0.6 vs. 0.6 ± 0.8; p < 0.05) was slightly increased. Data after 4 weeks confirmed these findings with further subjective improvement in the reduction of side effects.


CONCLUSIONS
By the using of the technology of cHH QOL and compliance did not improve. The side effects of CPAP therapy without humidification with respect to nasopharyngeal dryness, however, was reduced immediately as well as during the first weeks of treatment.
Ruhle
Karl-Heinz
KH
Department of Pneumology, University Witten-Herdecke, Hagen, Germany. Klinik-Ambrock.Pneumo@t-online.de
Franke
Karl-Josef
KJ
Domanski
Ulrike
U
Nilius
Georg
G
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D045422:Continuous Positive Airway Pressure / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000523:psychology*; D018592:Cross-Over Studies; D005260:Female; D005858:Germany; D006801:Humans; D006813:Humidity; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015508:Nasal Obstruction / Q000517:prevention & control* / Q000523:psychology; D009330:Nebulizers and Vaporizers; D010342:Patient Acceptance of Health Care / Q000523:psychology*; D010349:Patient Compliance / Q000523:psychology*; D017286:Polysomnography; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011788:Quality of Life / Q000523:psychology*; D020181:Sleep Apnea, Obstructive / Q000523:psychology* / Q000628:therapy*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014987:Xerostomia / Q000517:prevention & control* / Q000523:psychology