Effects of Continuous Positive Airway Pressure Treatment on Cognitive Functions in the Korean Elderly with Obstructive Sleep Apnea

• Main Authors: Suk-Hoon Kang, In-Young Yoon, Sang Don Lee, Tae Kim
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Korean Society of Sleep Medicine 2016-06-01
• Series: Sleep Medicine Research
• Subjects: Elderly; Obstructive sleep apnea; Cognitive function; Continuous positive airway pressure
• Online Access: http://www.sleepmedres.org/upload/pdf/smr-7-1-10.pdf

Background and Objective Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) in elderly is accompanied by cognitive decline. However, it is not well known whether these deleterious changes can be reversed by continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) treatment. Therefore, we aimed to elucidate the effect of CPAP on cognitive function in the Korean elderly with OSA. Methods Forty-two patients (≥ 60 yrs) with moderate-to-severe OSA and 41 normal controls were enrolled, and divided into treated subjects with CPAP (n = 28) and non-treated subjects (n = 14). We performed baseline measurements of cognition using the Korean version of the consortium to establish a registry for Alzheimer’s disease neuropsychological battery. Additionally, digit span test, Stroop color and word test (SCW) and executive clock drawing task were applied. About 175.6 days later, second measurements of cognitive function were completed. Results OSA groups had higher body mass index than normal controls (t = 3.132, p = 0.002). In comparison of cognition, OSA groups showed more decline in digit span test (forward; t = −3.647, p = 0.001, backward; t = −7.925, p < 0.001) with Bonferroni correction. In the OSA group, subjects with CPAP treatment were younger (t = 2.787, p = 0.008) and had a longer education years (t = 2.419, p = 0.020) than non-treated subjects. In comparison of cognition after CPAP treatment, they showed significant improvement in the executive function (SCW; F = 5.660, p = 0.023) after adjusting the age and education years, considering interaction effect with time and groups. Conclusions Short-term CPAP treatment could improve executive function, but might not be effective on other cognitions in the elderly with OSA. Future study with long-term CPAP is required to evaluate beneficial effects on cognitive dysfunctions in elderly with OSA.