For individuals with obstructive sleep apnea, institution of CPAP therapy is associated with an amelioration of symptoms of depression which is sustained long term.

OBJECTIVE

To assess the sustainability of an improvement in symptoms of depression using CPAP therapy in patients with obstructive sleep apnea.

PATIENTS/METHODS: Patients referred to our center for evaluation of obstructive sleep apnea who had a respiratory disturbance index (RDI) of > or =15 and who demonstrated a significant response to CPAP (50% or greater drop in RDI), were evaluated for symptoms of depression using the Beck Depression Inventory-Fast Screen for Medical Patients (BDI). These individuals were asked to complete the BDI assessment again after 4 to 6 weeks of treatment with CPAP (short-term follow-up), and then reassessed approximately one year later (long-term follow-up).

RESULTS

In this group of patients, the institution of CPAP therapy resulted in a significant decrease in those symptoms of depression assessed by the BDI at both the short-term and long-term follow-up periods.

CONCLUSIONS

For patients with OSA who continue CPAP therapy, we noted a statistically significant, sustained improvement in those symptoms of depression measured by the BDI.