Treatment

A recent study published in the Journal of Clinical Sleep Medicine compared manually and automatically derived therapeutic positive airway pressure (PAP) to determine whether the two methods are equivalent. The findings suggest that in-lab manual titrations overestimate therapeutic pressure requirements, particularly in patients with higher BMI. Study participants were adequately treated with lower pressures using auto-titrating positive airway pressure (APAP) while yielding comparable reductions in AHI to those observed during manual titration studies.

The authors reported, “Our findings suggest that, in most cases, split-night or full-night polysomnograms are not necessary to initiate PAP therapy for patients with uncomplicated OSA.”

They added, “Typically, acceptable titration studies generate the highest pressure required to eliminate all obstructive respiratory events, including snoring. This [highest] pressure is not necessarily needed throughout a single night or on a night-to-night basis due to several factors, including sleep position, sleep stage, alcohol use, medications, and exercise.”

For patients receiving PAP therapy, finding the right pressure settings can make a world of difference. Higher than necessary positive airway pressure may cause dry airways and significant discomfort. This is one of the major contributors toward PAP nonadherence in patients with obstructive sleep apnea.

Accordingly, Snap Diagnostics’ home sleep apnea test report includes a prediction for an optimal level of positive airway pressure, using a clinically validated equation. This prediction can be used to optimize and/or shorten the time it takes to achieve optimal pressure settings.

The new findings further strengthen the case for home sleep apnea testing and treatment. As the COVID-19 pandemic has reduced the capacity of overnight sleep centers, providers are shifting away from attended manual PAP titration towards auto-titrating positive airway pressure, particularly for patients with uncomplicated obstructive sleep apnea.