Long‑term exercise parameter outcomes in obstructive sleep apnea patients with and without positive airway pressure therapy

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Short‑term studies have shown that positive airway pressure (PAP) therapyincreases exercise capacity in obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS). In this study, weinvestigated the effect of PAP therapy on exercise parameters in OSAS patients who were followedfor 2 years.MATERIALS AND METHODS: This prospective cohort study included patients recently diagnosedwith moderate‑to‑severe OSAS. The patients underwent cardiopulmonary exercise testing andpulmonary function testing (PFT) at the start of the study and at follow‑up visits. Outcomes of patientswho adhered to regular treatment were compared with those who refused treatment.RESULTS: Thirty‑one patients who attended follow‑up were included in the analysis and evaluatedas a treated group (n = 16) and untreated group (n = 15). Although patients in the treated grouphad more comorbidities, the proportion of smokers was higher in the untreated group (P = 0.36and P = 0.36, respectively). Of the PFT parameters, there were no changes in forced vital capacityand forced expiratory volume in 1 s in both the groups (P = 0.85, P = 0.59 and P = 0.92, P = 0.90,respectively). In the treatment group, there were decreases in resting heart rate (HR) and oxygensaturation compared to baseline levels (P = 0.01 and P = 0.02). A statistically significant decline inbreathing reserve was observed in the untreated group (P = 0.03).CONCLUSION: Our study suggests that PAP treatment does not make any difference in exerciseparameters and PFT in long term. However, it supports the fact that PAP treatment may have apositive effect on some cardiac parameters, such as HR rest.