Background: Overlap syndrome (OS), describes the association and simultaneous presence of OSA and COPD, Overlap syndrome has poor clinical prognosis , including increased risk for cardiovascular morbidity, hospitalization due to COPD acute exacerbation, and all-cause mortality. Efficient CPAP treatment has been related to improved survival and decreased hospitalizations.
Patients and methods: This study was carried out at sleep lab of Chest Department on 24 patients splitted into two groups Group 1: patients with overlap syndrome (OS) under medical treatment plus CPAP. Group 2: patients with (OS) under medical treatment only. All patients in the study were subjected to full medical history taking, Quality of sleep by Epworth sleepiness scale (ESS). Clinical examination; (general and local), Spirometry, complete lab investigation, polysomnography and Echocardiography.
Results: Statistically significant difference was observed between the two groups as regard AHI, nocturnal desaturation, mean pulmonary artery pressure, number of exacerbations per year and frequency of hospital admissions.
Conclusion: Patients with CPAP-treated overlap syndrome for a period of one year experienced improving in nocturnal desaturation, mean pulmonary artery pressure and number of exacerbations.