Treatment of concomitant obstructive sleep apnea/hypopnea syndrome in patients with persistent poorly controlled bronchial asthma - Real opportunity to improve asthma control

Background: Common, but often poorly diagnosed and, consequently, not treated obstructive sleep apnea/hypopnea syndrome (OSAHS) in asthma patients - frequent cause of poor asthma control, in spite of adequate asthma therapy. Aims and objectives: to find out whether the addition of auto-CPAP therapy to the standard asthma treatment can improve asthma control.20 patients with persistent BA (FEV1 (68,0 ± 3,3)%, ACQ (1,7 ± 0,1) with first diagnosed and verified OSAHS (apnea-hypopnea index (AHI) – (33,6 ± 5,6)), 7 female and 13 male, in age (56,7 ± 2,2) years received auto-CPAP therapy in addition to their asthma therapy –one or two controllers according BA severity. Methods: General clinical examination, ACQ, Epworth Sleepiness Scale, quality of life questionnaire (SGRQ), pulmonary functional tests - PFT, polysomnography were assessed 1) at enrolment, 2) after 10 days of their usual asthma therapy (served as control) and 3) after course of CPAP treatment. Results: There were no clinically meaning and significant changes after 10 days of patient9s usual treatment. After proper treatment of OSAHS by addition of auto-CPAP AHI decreased from (27,6 ± 4,6) to (6,6 ± 2,2)/hour, (p 0,5 points). Clinically meaning (>4 points) and significantly (p Conclusion: use of auto-CPAP in in persistent partially controlled asthma patients with concomitant OSAHS allow improve asthma control.