Cardiovascular and metabolic effects of a mandibular advancement device and continuous positive airway pressure in moderate obstructive sleep apnea: a randomized controlled trial

Study objectives: It has been suggested that treatment for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) reduces cardiovascular risk. So far, knowledge is limited about the difference in the reduction of this risk between mandibular advancement device (MAD) and continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) therapy. The aim of this study was to compare the cardiovascular effects of MAD vs CPAP therapy in patients with moderate OSA.

Methods: Patients with an apnea-hypopnea index of 15-30 events/h were randomized to either MAD or CPAP therapy. At baseline and after 12-month follow-up, 24-hour ambulant blood pressure measurements and laboratory measurements were performed. Ambulant blood pressure measurements consisted of 24-hour, daytime and night-time systolic and diastolic blood pressure and heart rate measurements. Laboratory measurements consisted of serum lipid values, creatinine, high-sensitivity C-reactive protein, plasma glucose, hemoglobin A1c glycated hemoglobin, proinflammatory cytokines, soluble receptor for advanced glycation end-products, chemokines, and adhesion molecules.

Results: Of the 85 randomized patients with moderate OSA, data were available for 54 patients (n = 24 MAD, n = 30 CPAP) at 12-month follow-up and showed that apnea-hypopnea index significantly decreased with either therapy. In the MAD group, soluble receptor for advanced glycation end-products and glycated hemoglobin were significantly higher after 12 months' follow-up compared to baseline. No significant changes were found between MAD and CPAP treatments for all outcomes.

Conclusions: Treatment of patients with moderate OSA with either MAD or CPAP therapy had no profound effects on major cardiovascular risk factors after 12 months.

Clinical trial registration: Registry: ClinicalTrials.gov; Title: MRA Therapy vs CPAP Therapy in Moderate OSAS; Identifier: NCT01588275; URL: https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT01588275.

Citation: Uniken Venema JAM, Knol-de Vries GE, van Goor H, Westra J, Hoekema A, Wijkstra PJ. Cardiovascular and metabolic effects of a mandibular advancement device and continuous positive airway pressure in moderate obstructive sleep apnea: a randomized controlled trial. J Clin Sleep Med. 2022;18(6)1547-1555.