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3174325 
Journal Article 
Obstructive sleep apnoea and non-restorative sleep induced by the interface 
Westhoff, M; Litterst, P 
2015 
1 
Sleep and Breathing
ISSN: 1520-9512
EISSN: 1522-1709 
19 
4 
1317-1325 
English 
25877806 
BACKGROUND: There are only few data about the influence of interfaces on restorative sleep and required CPAP/APAP levels in patients with obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA). Observations of obstructive apnoeas when using oro-nasal masks with normalisation of respiratory disturbance index (RDI) under nasal masks and of non-restorative sleep under oro-nasal masks in spite of normal RDI led to a registration of patients with such findings.

METHODS: This study is a cohort analysis (June 1, 2006 to April 30, 2014) of patients with OSA using an oro-nasal mask and normalisation of the RDI after changing to a nasal mask and of patients complaining about a non-restorative sleep under an oro-nasal mask despite normal RDI.

RESULTS: Sixty-five patients (BMI 32.2 ± 8.1 kg/m(2); 64.4 ± 12.8 years) with OSA (n = 54) and non-restorative sleep with normal RDI (n = 11) under oro-nasal masks were included. In the group of patients with pathologic RDI under oro-nasal masks (n = 54), switching the interface to a nasal mask normalised RDI (31.8 ± 16.3 to 6.0 ± 3.6/h [p < 0.001]) and arousal index (p < 0.001); slow-wave and REM sleep increased (p < 0.05). In the patient group with a pathological RDI under CPAP/APAP therapy (n = 45), the pressure decreased from 9.5 ± 2.2 to 7.3 ± 2.0 cm hPa (p < 0.001), and in the group with normal RDI (n = 11) from 10.1 ± 2.4 to 6.8 ± 1.2 hPa (p < 0.01).

CONCLUSION: The usage of an oro-nasal mask can result in a paradoxical induction of obstructive hypopnoeas or apnoeas. Clinicians should be aware of this phenomenon. When adapting patients to a PAP therapy, a nasal mask should be preferred even if patients report mouth breathing.