title: Optimal continuous positive airway pressure level in korean patients with obstructive sleep apnea syndrome.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The aim of this study was to investigate optimal continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) level, to examine the factors affecting optimal CPAP level, and to develop a predictive equation for optimal CPAP level in Korean patients with obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS).
  
  
  METHODS
  A total of 202 patients with OSAS who underwent successful manual titration for CPAP treatment were included in this study. Correlations between the optimal CPAP level and baseline data including anthropometric and polysomnographic variables were analyzed. A predictive equation for optimal CPAP level was developed based on anthropometric and polysomonographic data.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The mean optimal CPAP level in 202 patients with OSAS was 7.8±2.3 cm H(2)O. The mean optimal CPAP level in the mild, moderate, and severe OSAS groups was 6.0±1.3, 7.4±1.9, and 9.1±2.1 cm H(2)O, respectively. The apneahypopnea index (AHI) (r=0.595, P<0.001), arousal index (r=0.542, P<0.001), minimal SaO(2) (r=-0.502, P<0.001), body mass index (BMI) (r=0.494, P<0.001), neck circumference (r=0.265, P<0.001), and age (r=-0.164, P=0.019) were significantly correlated with optimal CPAP level. The best predictive equation according to stepwise multiple linear regression analysis was: Optimal CPAP level (cm H(2)O)=0.681+(0.205×BMI)+(0.040×AHI). Forty-two percent of the variance in the optimal CPAP level was explained by this equation (R(2)=0.42, P<0.001).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  A predictive equation for optimal CPAP level in Korean patients with OSAS was developed using AHI and BMI, which can be easily measured during the diagnostic process.
authors.affiliation: Department of Otorhinolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Korea University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.
authors.forename: Ji Ho
authors.initials: JH
authors.lastname: Choi
authors.forename: Eun Joong
authors.initials: EJ
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.forename: Kang Woo
authors.initials: KW
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.forename: June
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Choi
authors.forename: Soon Young
authors.initials: SY
authors.lastname: Kwon
authors.forename: Heung Man
authors.initials: HM
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.forename: Tae Hoon
authors.initials: TH
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.forename: Sang Hag
authors.initials: SH
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.forename: Chol
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Shin
authors.forename: Seung Hoon
authors.initials: SH
authors.lastname: Lee