Table 11 Strength of evidence of APAP versus CPAP
Outcomes | Number of trials | Total number | Trials with data for Meta-analysis | Meta-analysis results comparing APAP with CPAP | Favors | Strength of evidence |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Clinical outcomes (death, cardiovascular events and others) | 0 | 0 | 0 | N/A | Â | Insufficient |
Compliance | 24 | 1008 | 22 | 0.18 hours (95% CI 0.05 to 0.31; P = 0.006) | APAP | Moderate |
Apnea-Hypopnea Index | 16 | 548 | 16 | 0.25 events/hour (95% CI -0.16 to 0.66; NS) | No difference | Moderate |
Epworth Sleepiness Scale | 22 | 954 | 18 | -0.48 (95% CI -0.81 to -0.15; P = 0.005) | APAP | Moderate |
Arousal Index | 10 | 356 | 9 | -0.85 events/hour (95% CI -2.2 to 0.5; NS) | No difference | Moderate |
Minimum O2 saturation | 9 | 258 | 9 | -1.3% (95% CI -2.2 to -0.4; P = 0.003) | CPAP | Moderate |
Sleep efficiency | 3 | 126 | 0 | Â | No difference | Insufficient |
Rapid eye movement sleep | 9 | 273 | 0 | Â | No difference | Moderate |
Slow wave sleep | 8 | 243 | 0 | Â | No difference in seven trials; one trial favored APAP | Moderate |
Quality of life | 9 | 509 | 0 | Â | No difference in eight trials; one trial favored APAP | Moderate |
Blood pressure | 3 | 149 | 0 | Â | No difference in two trials; one trial favored CPAP (decrease in diastolic blood pressure) | Insufficient |