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Published on: September 22, 2020
Untreated obstructive sleep apnea and accelerated cognitive decline over 10 years
Christopher N Kaufmann1, Jennifer S Albrecht2, Vishaldeep Kaur Sekhon3,4
1Department of Health Outcomes and Biomedical Informatics, University of Florida College of Medicine, Gainesville, Florida, USA.
Summary
Continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) treatment may slow cognitive decline in older adults with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). Longer follow-up suggests CPAP use is associated with a slower rate of cognitive decline over time.
Area of Science:
- Gerontology
- Neurology
- Sleep Medicine
Background:
- Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is linked to cognitive decline.
- Short-term studies show minimal cognitive benefits from continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) treatment for OSA.
- The impact of long-term CPAP use on cognitive trajectories in older adults remains under investigation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the association between long-term CPAP use and cognitive decline in older adults with OSA.
- To determine if extended follow-up reveals significant cognitive differences in OSA patients treated with CPAP.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of 777 participants from the National Health and Aging Trends Study (NHATS) with OSA and no baseline cognitive impairment.
- CPAP treatment identified via Medicare claims.
- Cognitive trajectories (2011-2021) estimated using factor scores from annual assessments and compared using generalized linear mixed models.
Main Results:
- Cognitive performance declined across the study period.
- CPAP-treated participants showed an annual decline of -0.03 SD units.
- Untreated participants experienced a 69% faster rate of cognitive decline compared to treated individuals.
Conclusions:
- Long-term continuous positive airway pressure therapy may mitigate cognitive decline in older adults diagnosed with obstructive sleep apnea.
- Findings suggest a potential neuroprotective effect of sustained CPAP adherence.
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