Acute and Long-term Effects of CPAP in OSA
Two-phase interventional non-inferiority trial (phase 1: at least 8 weeks of CPAP; phase 2: 2 weeks of CPAP withdrawal) including 32 patients with moderate to severe OSA to compare the physiological consequences of a short-term CPAP withdrawal to the changes in previously untreated OSA. The trial has been designed as a validation of the CPAP-withdrawal model. Baseline in-laboratory sleep studies will be performed prior to CPAP initiation, after 6-8 weeks on CPAP (treatment effect) and following 2 weeks of CPAP therapy withdrawal (withdrawal effect, effect of OSA recurrence).
- EligibilityCriteria: Inclusion Criteria:  Age ≥ 18 years Untreated moderate or severe OSA with an apnoea-hypopnoea-index (AHI) of ≥ 20/h and an oxygen desaturation index (>3%-dips) of ≥ 20/h in an in-laboratory sleep study Epworth Sleepiness Scale Score ≥7/24 points Indication for CPAP therapy Written informed consent  Exclusion Criteria:  Moderate or more severe obstructive or restrictive ventilatory disorder (FEV1 or FVC < 70%) Heart failure Other types of sleep-related breathing disorders, e.g. sleep-associated hypoventilation, central sleep apnoea, Cheyne Stoke's Breathing Hypoxic or hypercapnic respiratory failure (awake paO2 < 9 kPa or paCO2 > 6 kPa) Active treatment for OSA (CPAP, mandibular advancement device, hypoglossal nerve stimulation) Current professional driver or previous sleepiness-related accidents Pregnancy - HealthyVolunteers: No - Gender: All - MinimumAge: 18 Years - StdAgeList: Adult, Older Adult