What Is the Treatment of Obstructive Sleep Apnea?

Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) presents with clinical signs and symptoms — including daytime sleepiness — alongside measurable abnormalities in the apnea–hypopnea index and oxyhemoglobin saturation. A structured, evidence-based approach exists for mild, moderate, and severe disease.

Treatment Goals

The target of therapy is complete resolution of the clinical signs and symptoms of OSA, including daytime sleepiness, and normalisation of the apnea–hypopnea index and oxyhemoglobin saturation.

Treatment Approach

Positive airway pressure (PAP) therapy is the treatment of choice and should be offered to all patients across the full spectrum of disease severity. It is applied through an interface worn during sleep.

Several delivery modes are available; the choice among them depends on severity and individual tolerance.

The complete protocol — including modality selection criteria, interface options, and the pathway for patients who do not tolerate first-choice therapy — is in the full regimen below.

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References

Positive airway pressure (PAP) is the treatment of choice for mild, moderate and severe OSA and should be offered as an option to all patients.
PAP may be delivered in continuous (CPAP), bilevel (BPAP) or autotitrating (APAP) modes.
PAP applied through a nasal, oral or oronasal interface during sleep is the preferred treatment for OSA.
CPAP is indicated for the treatment of moderate to severe OSA (Standard) and mild OSA (Option).
BPAP, pressure relief, or APAP can be considered in the management of OSA in CPAP intolerant patients (Consensus).
For patients with OSA the desired outcome of treatment includes the resolution of the clinical signs and symptoms of OSA and the normalization of the apnea-hypopnea index and oxyhemoglobin saturation (Standard).

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