Additionally, CPAP-treated patients had fewer subsequent vascular events, compared with those who did not use CPAP, though the difference did not reach statistical significance. There was only one new vascular event (3.33%) in the CPAP group at 12-month follow-up, versus six events (15%) in the non-CPAP group (P = .23).
Nevertheless, the results provide more evidence for the potential benefit of CPAP in stroke patients with obstructive sleep apnea, the researchers noted.
“Our results indicate that new vascular events may be better prevented – and significantly more patients may make good stroke recovery – with CPAP treatment as compared to only best medical treatment,” Dr. Gupta and her colleagues wrote.
Before the study started, investigators determined that they would have needed 80 patients per arm for a power of 80%. A total of 679 patients were screened, but only 116 reported for polysomnography testing, and of those, 83 had at least moderate obstructive sleep apnea.
Due to a lack of CPAP devices, only 70 of those 83 patients made it all the way to randomization, investigators reported.
Dr. Gupta and her coauthors reported no conflicts of interest related to the study.
SOURCE: Gupta A et al. J Clin Sleep Med. 2018 Mar 30. pii:jc-17-00230.