LAUSR

CPAP remains the gold standard treatment for OSA, CPAP titration can be done using manual titration or using APAP devices, CPAP titration can be done using full night or split night protocol. The aim of the study Is to compare between the use of APAP and manual titration to determine the needed CPAP pressure during split night polysomnography for diagnosis and treatment of OSA. 100 patients with severe OSA were enrolled after exclusion of patients with heart failure or respiratory failure. After diagnostic polysomnography, patients were divided into 2 groups: group1 offered manual CPAP titration and Group2 offered APAP titration, the time for CPAP titration was at least 4 hours in both groups. both groups were matched as regard age, gender, BMI, sleep parameters and AHI (44.52 ± 7.81/hour in group1 and 42.66 ± 9.68/hour in group2 with no statistical significance, after CPAP titration AHI was significantly improved in both groups, the time needed to reach the therapeutic pressure was significantly lower in group2 than in group1, attended technician was needed only in group1. Use of APAP was equal to manual titration in this group of patients with severe OSA, with decreased cost and lesser time to reach the therapeutic pressure, large multicenter trials are needed to modify the guidelines in view of using APAP in split night protocol for diagnosis and treatment of OSA. no conflict of interest