Impact of CPAP treatment for a short period in moderate-to-severe OSAS patients: a randomized double-blind clinical trial

INTRODUCTION: Obesity is the most frequent reversible agravating factor of obstructive sleep apnea syndrome, with physical activity very important for its control. Continuous positive air pressure during sleep is the “gold standard” treatment for obstructive sleep apnea syndrome. OBJECTIVE: we aimed to investigate if the use of continuous positive air pressure for a short period (7 days), would improve sleep quality, daytime sleepiness, and the disposition for physical activity. METHODS: Eighty obstructive sleep apnea syndrome patients were randomly assigned as follows: group I – continuous positive air pressure with a steady pressure of 4 cm H(2)O; group II – ideal therapeutic pressure. After filling out the questionnaires related to the studied variables (International physical activity questionnaire long-form, Epworth sleepiness scale, Pittsburgh sleep quality index), patients underwent a baseline pulmonary function test and continuous positive air pressure titration. After continuous positive air pressure therapy for 4≥ hours a night for 7 consecutive days, patients returned and filled out new (International physical activity questionnaire long-form, Epworth sleepiness scale, Pittsburgh sleep quality index) forms. New spirometry was carried out. RESULTS: 39 patients completed the study. The mean age was 52 ± 11 years old and 28 patients (71.79%) were obese. Both groups were similar for all variables studied at baseline. After Continuous positive air pressure use, patients of group II presented more significant improvements (p < 0.05) for sleep quality and diurnal sleepiness. Time spent with physical activities did not change. Spirometric data were at normal range at baseline. Solely the variable FEF 25%–75% was significantly enhanced (p < 0.05) in group II. CONCLUSION: Continuous positive air pressure therapy for 1 week, with ideal pressure, improves daytime sleepiness and sleep quality, enhances pulmonary function, but does not change the mean time spent with physical activities.