Nap-titration: An effective alternative for continuous positive airway pressure titration

SummaryWhen treating Obstructive Sleep Apnea–Hypopnea Syndrome (OSAHS) several alternatives for standard (manual) continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) titration are feasible. A practical alternative is titration without polysomnography during an afternoon nap (Nap-titration). The aim of the present study was to assess whether Nap-titration is appropriate for effective titration of CPAP.Following Nap-titration 24 eligible OSAHS patients started conventional CPAP therapy. The outcome of Nap-titration was verified after 2 weeks with CPAP pressure adjustments being performed in case of persisting OSAHS symptomatology. Polysomnography and a questionnaire evaluation were performed at baseline and 8 weeks after Nap-titration.Following Nap-titration 15 patients did not require pressure changes while in 9 patients’ CPAP pressure was raised due to persisting OSAHS symptomatology. Control polysomnography after 8 weeks showed successful CPAP titration (Apnea–Hypopnea Index