Einfluss der Atemluftbefeuchtung auf die Akzeptanz der CPAP-Therapie bei Patienten mit obstruktiver Schlafapnoe

Background: Compliance with continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) is limited by numerous side effects, especially regarding nasal and upper airway symptoms. Airway humidification is able to reduce these symptoms in individual cases, although the value of the routine prescription of an airway humidifier remains under discussion. The aim of the study was to compare CPAP with and without airway humidification regarding side effects, acceptance and subjective as well as objective compliance to CPAP. Methods: A total of 74 patients with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) were included in this prospective trial and randomized into CPAP without (group 1) or with humidifier (group 2). Questionnaires regarding typical symptoms and side effects were completed by all patients before and 3 months after therapy initiation. Furthermore, subjective compliance was assessed and the hours of operation were recorded with a built-in timer counter. Results: Of the patients 67% in group 1 and 91% in group 2 indicated that the CPAP was used every night. Although there was a trend to an advantage for treatment with airway humidification there was no statistically significant difference in the hours of use or in the acceptance between both groups. The improvement of nasal symptoms was comparable in both groups. Conclusion: Acceptance and objective compliance of CPAP seem to be independent of the use of a humidifier and the symptoms did not differ between the two groups. The routine prescription of an airway humidifier does not seem to be justified.