Abstract
INTRODUCTION Gender influences the pathophysiology of obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA) and thus positive airway pressure (PAP) requirements. As a result, adapting PAP device algorithms based on patient gender could improve efficacy and compliance with therapy. AIM To test a new automatic PAP (APAP) algorithm specifically designed for women with OSA. METHODS The new female OSA algorithm (AutoSet For Her (AFH); ResMed Ltd), and 6 other commercially-available APAP devices were tested. Device performance was assessed on a servo-controlled test bench (Rigau J, Chest 2006) set to simulate disturbed breathing patterns of a female OSA patient, defined as follows: a) apnoeas with obstruction (PAP<5 cmH2O), b) hypopnoeas (5-7 cmH2O), c) flow limitation (7-10 cmH2O), d) normal breathing (PAP>10 cmH2O). For each 4-h test, maximum PAP (Pmax), time to reach Pmax (Tmax), mean PAP applied (Pmean), residual obstructive events and achievement of breathing normalisation were assessed. RESULTS Results are summarized in the table.
Only AFH and device D normalised the breathing patterns simulated by the test bench. There were significant differences among devices in residual events, thus in their efficacy to treat the simulated female OSA patient. CONCLUSION These results suggest that a new APAP algorithm especially designed for female OSA can be effective and highlights that a significant number of current devices may not be optimal to treat female OSA patients effectively.
- © 2014 ERS
