Does CPAP reduce the risk of Cardiovascular disease in patients with OSA?

Background Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is a prevalent condition often managed with continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) treatment. There's ongoing debate about the link between OSA and cardiovascular disease (CVD), but existing evidence points toward an association. This study investigates whether CPAP is an effective strategy for reducing CVD risk in OSA patients. Methods The literature search, conducted with collaboration from Weill Cornell Medical College librarians, identified the five most recent papers highlighting the correlation between CPAP treatment for OSA and CVD risk reduction. Results Mitra et al. (2021) conducted a systematic review involving 34 studies and 37,599 participants, demonstrating a strong association between severe OSA and CVD comorbidities, including heart disease, stroke, kidney disease, heart failure, and more. Their findings suggest that treating OSA may reduce CVD risk. Guo et al. (2016) performed a meta-analysis of 18 randomized clinical trials involving 4,146 patients, revealing that CPAP treatment reduced the Epworth sleepiness score and blood pressure, potentially lowering CVD events. Longer CPAP use also reduced CVD mortality. Peker et al. (2016) conducted an RCT involving 122 participants, finding that CPAP usage for over 4 hours per night reduced composite CVD endpoints in CAD patients with OSA. Khan et al. (2017) analyzed the SAVE trial and conducted a meta-analysis, showing that CPAP therapy had the potential to reduce serious CV events, especially with higher adherence. Wickwire et al. (2020) conducted a retrospective cohort study on elderly Medicare beneficiaries with OSA, revealing that adherence to CPAP treatment significantly reduced the risk of new CVD events, with ≥4 CPAP treatments leading to a more substantial decrease. Conclusion In conclusion, the current evidence strongly suggests an association between OSA and CVD. While more research is needed, CPAP treatment is often the first-line approach for OSA, and the studies reviewed indicate its potential in reducing CVD risk.