Effect of Heated Humidity With Thermosmart™ Compared to an Intranasal Steroid in Improving Compliance and Nasal Symptoms in Patients Using Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (Thermosmart)
Obstructive Sleep Apnea, Nasal Congestion, Sinus Congestion
About this trial
This is an interventional treatment trial for Obstructive Sleep Apnea focused on measuring Obstructive Sleep Apnea, Nasal Congestion, Sinus congestion
Eligibility Criteria
Inclusion Criteria:
- Between the ages of 18-65
- Diagnosis of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) with apnea/hypopnea index (AHI) > 15/hr
- Currently using CPAP therapy and within 3 weeks to 12 months of initial CPAP titration
- Based on the CPAP nasal symptom questionnaire, a score of at least 3 (sometimes) for at least one of the following nasal symptoms related to their sleep apnea and CPAP usage: nasal congestion, runny nose, sneezing, or nasal irritation
- Willingness to tolerate and continue therapy with nCPAP
- Successfully titrated on nCPAP in a sleep center to a pressure between 6-16 cmH2O
- Willingness to comply and complete study related procedures
- Fluent in the English language
Exclusion Criteria:
- Co-morbid medical condition that is either medically significant and unstable, would interfere with the patient's ability to routinely use CPAP, or is a contraindication for use of a nasal steroid
- Women who are pregnant or who may potentially become pregnant during the course of the research trial.
- CPAP compliance over the past three weeks at screening > 5 hours/night, suggesting no compromised CPAP usage due to adverse nasal symptoms
- Wake resting SaO2 < 90%
- Currently using Bi-Level therapy, supplemental oxygen with CPAP therapy, or using a pressure outside inclusion criteria
- Currently using a Full-Face mask for CPAP therapy
- Current or prior use of the Fisher Paykel 604 CPAP machine with Thermosmart™ heated humidity.
- Patients who were never prescribed a heated humidifier with their CPAP machine (i.e. no humidifier or passover humidifier).
- Intranasal steroid treatment within the previous six months. Patient's currently taking intranasal steroid treatment cannot wash-out of steroid treatment to be included nor if patients have used nasal steroid treatment while on CPAP therapy
- Current upper airway tract infection, influenza, respiratory infection at time of screening or nasal surgery within 90 days of screening
- Prior surgical intervention for obstructive sleep apnea
- Currently taking medications that would be contraindicated to using a nasal steroid. Patients taking hypnotic or wake promoting therapy can participate if they have been on a stable dose prior to CPAP therapy and willing to maintain current dose as prescribed.
- Shift or rotating shift workers or individuals who routinely cannot contribute at least 6 hours/night to sleep/attempting therapy
- Additional sleep disorder that would interfere with routine use of CPAP
Sites / Locations
- Clayton Sleep Institute
Arms of the Study
Arm 1
Arm 2
Arm 3
Sham Comparator
Active Comparator
Active Comparator
A
Double Blind Treatment Group 2
Double Blind Treatment Goup 1
To enter into the single-blind placebo phase, subjects will be setup with a Fisher & Paykel 604 CPAP unit with a heated humidifier and "deactivated" Thermosmart™ tube, thus, only traditional heated humidity will be available. The deactivated unit will still "appear" to function with intact heated humidity settings. The CPAP machine will be set to the patient's prescribed pressure. Subjects will also be given a nasal steroid spray placebo and instructed to deliver one spray in each nostril daily.
Visit 3 will be identical to visit 2, with the exception being the crossover of double-blind treatment. Subjects will now receive the Fisher & Paykel 604 CPAP machine with traditional heated humidity and a deactivated Thermosmart™ tube set to their prescribed pressure. Subjects will also be given the nasal steroid Nasacort AQ (triamcinolone acetonide) at a dosage of 220 mcg. They will be instructed to deliver two sprays in each nostril daily. Once again, phone follow-up will be made 7-10 days after the visit to assess compliance with study procedures and adverse events.
a Fisher & Paykel 604 CPAP machine with Thermosmart™ heated humidity set at their prescribed pressure. Subjects will also be given nasal steroid placebo (purified water) and instructed to deliver two sprays in each nostril daily