Effect of Nasal Continuous Positive Pressure on the Nostrils of Patients with Sleep Apnea Syndrome and no Previous Nasal Pathology. Predictive Factors for Compliance.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effect of continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) on the nostrils of patients with sleep apnea-hypopnea syndrome and its impact on quality of life, and to identify predictive factors for compliance.

METHODS: Longitudinal prospective study. Thirty-six consecutive patients evaluated before and 2 months after CPAP using the following variables: clinical (eye, nose and throat [ENT] symptoms, Epworth test, anxiety/depression scales, general and rhinoconjunctivitis-specific quality of life); anatomical (ENT examination, computed tomography); functional (auditive and Eustachian tube function, nasal flow, mucociliary transport); biological (nasal cytology); and polisomnographics. The sample was divided into compliers (≥4h/d) and non-compliers (<4h/d).

RESULTS: A significant improvement was observed in daytime sleepiness (p=0.000), anxiety (P=.006), and depression (P=.023). Nasal dryness (P=.000), increased neutrophils in nasal cytology (P=.000), and deteriorating ciliary function were evidenced, particularly in compliers. No significant differences were observed in the other variables. Baseline sleepiness was the only factor predictive of compliance.

CONCLUSIONS: CPAP in patients without previous nasal pathology leads to an improvement in a series of clinical parameters and causes rhinitis and airway dryness. Some ENT variables worsened in compliers. Sleepiness was the only prognostic factor for poor tolerance.