[Effect of automatically titrated CPAP systems on sleep and respiration in sleep apnea syndrome]

We compared an automated self setting CPAP-titration with conventional constant CPAP. In 12 patients with obstructive sleep apnea syndrome 2 polysomnographies were performed after introduction of CPAP-therapy. In a randomized cross-over study a constant CPAP during one night and in a second night a computerized variation of pressure was applied by a self-setting CPAP-device (Auto AdjustTM CPAP). During both methods apneas, hypopneas and snoring were reduced. Apnea index was reduced from 32.5 +/- 28.5 at diagnosis to 3.3 +/- 4.7 by Auto Adjust CPAP and to 4.0 +/- 5.3 by constant CPAP. The results of the 2 methods were not significantly different. Total sleep-time, sleep efficiency and sleep stages did not show any significant difference.

In case of pressure-intolerance automated self setting CPAP offers an alternative beneath BiPAP. The significance of this method with regard to BiPAP therapy must further be evaluated.