Efficacy of PAP Therapy on Blood Pressure

The Role of Compliance With Positive Airway Pressure Use on Blood Pressure in Patients With Obstructive Sleep Apnea

The aim of the study was to determine the long term effects of compliance with positive airway pressure therapy on blood pressure in both hypertensive and normotensive patients with obstructive sleep apnoea hypopnoea syndrome.

Scientific data about the causal role of obstructive sleep apnoea hypopnoea syndrome (OSAHS) in the development of systemic hypertension and the effects of positive airway pressure (PAP) treatment on blood pressure (BP) control are continuously increasing; however they are controversial. We aimed to determine the long term effects of compliance with PAP therapy on BP in both hypertensive and normotensive patients with OSAHS.

Inclusion Criteria:

• newly diagnosed OSAHS by polysomnography according to standard criteria
• no history of previous PAP therapy
• normotensive and hypertensive patients
• an above-elementary school education.

Exclusion Criteria:

• refusal to participate
• refusal of PAP therapy
• secondary hypertension
• central sleep apnea syndromes
• obesity hypoventilation syndrome
• restrictive ventilator syndromes
• history of established cardiovascular disease
• severe congestive heart failure
• a history of life-threatening arrhythmias
• severe cardiomyopathy
• significant chronic kidney disease
• long-term oxygen therapy
• family or personal history of mental illness
• drug or alcohol abuse
• severe cognitive impairment
• concurrent oncological diseases
• need for chronic use of medication that may affect BP levels
• pregnancy
• history of narcolepsy or restless leg syndrome