Effect of continuous positive airway pressure on blood pressure and metabolic profile in women with sleep apnoea

Abstract

Continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) reduces blood pressure levels in hypertensive patients with obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA). However, the role of CPAP in blood pressure and the metabolic profile in women has not yet been assessed. In this study we investigated the effect of CPAP on blood pressure levels and the glucose and lipid profile in women with moderate-to-severe OSA.

A multicentre, open-label, randomised controlled trial was conducted in 307 women diagnosed with moderate-to-severe OSA (apnoea–hypopnoea index ≥15 events·h^–1) in 19 Spanish Sleep Units. Women were randomised to CPAP (n=151) or conservative treatment (n=156) for 12 weeks. Changes in office blood pressure measures as well as in the glucose and lipid profile were assessed in both groups.

Compared with the control group, the CPAP group achieved a significantly greater decrease in diastolic blood pressure (−2.04 mmHg, 95% CI −4.02– −0.05; p=0.045), and a nonsignificantly greater decrease in systolic blood pressure (−1.54 mmHg, 95% CI −4.58–1.51; p=0.32) and mean blood pressure (−1.90 mmHg, 95% CI −4.0–0.31; p=0.084). CPAP therapy did not change any of the metabolic variables assessed.

In women with moderate-to-severe OSA, 12 weeks of CPAP therapy improved blood pressure, especially diastolic blood pressure, but did not change the metabolic profile, compared with conservative treatment.