Nasal inflammation and compliance with nasal CPAP therapy in obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA)

Background: CPAP is the standard therapy for treating OSA (1). However, CPAP can cause undesirable nasal side effects that compromise compliance (2). Aims and objectives: Over a six month period, we assessed the association between nasal inflammation using nasal wash interleukin (IL-6) concentration and compliance with therapy. Methods: Twenty-two patients were recruited with new confirmed OSA. Daily CPAP use was prospectively recorded on diary cards. Nasal wash IL-6 and diary cards for compliance were performed at no CPAP and at 1, 3 and 6 months post-CPAP. Pearson correlation was conducted to assess the relationships. A P value Results: The twenty-two patients (mean age±SD: 59.5±7.5 years) had AHI of mean (SD) 30.2±15.9. We found a significant relationship between increased nasal IL-6 and decrease in compliance at baseline and six month of CPAP therapy, Pearson [r: -.517; P=0.014]. Conclusion: Our results show that nasal inflammation relates to compliance with CPAP therapy in OSA. References: 1. Kushida, C.A. et al. Sleep 2006; 29:375-380. 2. Pepin, J.L. et al. Chest 1995; 107:375-381.