Contribution of Hospital-Based Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP) Titration to the Treatment of Sleep Apnea Syndrome (SAS) Patients

Objectives: This retrospective study aims to evaluate the efficacy of continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) therapy in treating severe obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), based on polysomnographic parameters, and to highlight the importance of hospital-based titration in optimizing treatment and guiding choices of alternative ventilation modes.

Methods: Sixty-nine patients (n=69, 100%), predominantly female (n=49, 71%), were included in the study. Polysomnographic data were collected during hospital-based CPAP titration. The efficacy of CPAP therapy was assessed through changes in sleep and respiratory parameters before and after titration. Results: The results demonstrated significant improvements in polysomnographic parameters, including reductions in the apnea-hypopnea index (AHI), total respiratory index (TRI), and desaturation index, as well as increases in mean REM sleep time and sleep efficiency. A third of the patients (n=23, 33%) required additional titration with alternative ventilatory modes, such as BiPAP or auto-SV.

Conclusion: Hospital-based CPAP titration is essential in managing severe OSA, optimizing therapeutic outcomes, and ensuring personalized treatment. CPAP was effective in controlling nocturnal hypoventilation, reducing the need for BiPAP in many cases.