PT  - JOURNAL ARTICLE
AU  - Trinidad Silvente Zamora
AU  - Pedro Méndez Martínez
AU  - Carlos Máximo Verde Colinas
AU  - Jose Antonio Ros Lucas
AU  - Francisco José Ruiz López
AU  - José Hernández Martínez
AU  - María Carmen Abellán Martínez
AU  - María Cristina Contessotto Avilés
AU  - María Jesús Avilés Inglés
AU  - Damián Malia Alvarado
AU  - José Carlos Vicente López
AU  - Inés Vergara Lahuerta
AU  - Roberto Bernabeu Mora
AU  - Ana María García Medina
AU  - Pedro Castell Gallud
TI  - Infectious complications associated with the use of CPAP in patients with sleep apnea-hipopnea sindrome
DP  - 2012 Sep 01
TA  - European Respiratory Journal
PG  - P3833
VI  - 40
IP  - Suppl 56
4099  - http://erj.ersjournals.com/content/40/Suppl_56/P3833.short
4100  - http://erj.ersjournals.com/content/40/Suppl_56/P3833.full
SO  - Eur Respir J2012 Sep 01; 40
AB  - INTRODUCTIONCPAP systems can be contaminated by microbes, increasing the risk of respiratory infections. Humidifiers can add a higher risk. Our study evaluates upper respiratory tract colonization and respiratory diseases related to CPAP with or without humidifier.METHOLOGYA Prospective study was designed. 100 CPAP-users were randomized: Group A (CPAP without humidifier): 50 patients (41 men, 9 women) between 28 and 87 years (average, 55). GROUP B (CPAP with humidifier): 50 patients (43 men, 7 women) between 41 and 98 years (average, 62). Patients were instructed on good hygienic practices in maintaining their systems. They were asked about respiratory infection symptoms. Swabs were taken from pharyngeal exudates in all patient, and from masks and tubes in Group B.RESULTS16 Pharyngeal exudates cultures were positive in Group A and 5 in Group B (32% versus 5%). Results: Streptococcus group G 6 patients in Group A; Streptococcus pyogenes group A: 6 in Group A and 1 in Group B; Streptococcus beta-hemolytic group C: 3 in Group A, 2 in Group B; Staphylococcus aureus : 1 in Group A; Streptococcus group C: 2 in Group B. Respiratory infection symptoms: 3 patients in Group A, 5 in Group B (6% versus 10%). Swabs from masks and tubes in Group B: 31 polymicrobial flora, 2 multiple fungal flora, 3 Turolopsis candida, 1 Aeromona hidrophila, 1 Rodotora rubra, 1 Serratia marcensis and 1 Pseudomona aeruginosa.CONCLUSIONSUpper respiratory airways colonisation has been lower in the humidifier group, even though CPAP systems contamination has been common. Respiratory infection symptoms were low in both groups. Humidifiers have not significantly increased infections.