0625 The Effects of Topical Nasal Steroids on Continuous Positive Airway Pressure Compliance in Patients with Obstructive Sleep Apnea

Abstract

Introduction: Continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) for treatment of moderate to severe obstructive sleep apnea can produce troublesome nasal symptoms (i.e. congestion, rhinorrhea, sneezing, itching) that may affect the continuity and decrease the compliance of CPAP. Topical nasal steroids are often prescribed to reduce these side effects, although recent studies are scarce supporting any benefit of this treatment for CPAP-induced nasal side effects. Methods: 80 patients who were previously diagnosed with OSA and pretreatment nasal symptoms were enrolled. All of them were selected for CPAP treatment and divided randomly into two groups. The study group was prescribed Fluticasone furoate nasal spray 55 ug daily before bedtime. The patients' compliance to CPAP was recorded by the memory card in CPAP device. Total nasal symptom score was assessed using a questionnaire by direct interview. The follow-up was performed in 30 and 90 days after treatment. Results: The compliance to CPAP (Percent days with usage, Average time usage and Percent of days with usage ≥ 4 hours) increased in both groups with higher significance in topical nasal steroid group (P-value=0.002, 0.001, 0.002) after 90 days of treatment. There was no difference in nasal symptom between both groups after 30 days of treatment. However, addition of topical nasal steroid resulted in decreased rhinorrhea and congestion symptom (P-value <0.001, <0.001) after 90 days of treatment. Conclusion: The addition of topical nasal steroid decreased the frequency of nasal symptoms (esp. rhinorrhea and congestion) in OSA patients initiating CPAP therapy and increased the compliance to CPAP after 90 days of treatment.