Five-Minute Awake Snoring Test for Determining CPAP Pressures (Five-Minute CPAP Test)‎: A Pilot Study

Abstract EN

Objective.

To develop a quick, simple, bedside test for determining continuous positive airway pressures (CPAP) for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) patients.

Study Design.

Prospective case series at a tertiary medical center.

Methods.

The Five-Minute Awake Snoring Test for Determining CPAP (Five-Minute CPAP Test) was developed and tested.

Patients wear a soft-gel nasal triangle mask while holding a tongue depressor with the wide section (1.75 cm) between the teeth.

Fixed pressure nasal CPAP is applied while the patient simulates snoring at 4 centimeters of water pressure.

The pressure is incrementally titrated up and then down to determine the lowest pressure at which the patient cannot snore (Quiet Pressure).

Results.

Overall, thirty-eight patients participated.

All could simulate snoring.

Correlation coefficients were statistically significant between Quiet Pressures and body mass index ( r s = 0.60 [strong positive relationship], p = 0.0088 ), apnea-hypopnea index ( r s = 0.49 [moderate positive relationship], p = 0.039 ), lowest oxygen saturation ( r s = - 0.47 [moderate negative relationship], p = 0.048 ), and oxygen desaturation index ( r s = 0.62 [strong positive relationship], p = 0.0057 ).

Conclusion.

This pilot study introduces a new concept, which is the final product of over one year of exploration, development, and testing.

Five-Minute CPAP Test is a quick, inexpensive, and safe bedside test based on supine awake simulated snoring with nasal CPAP.