CPAP is the most effective and widely used treatment for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). Recently a new device, called Provent (see picture) has been shown to be safe and effective in the short term treatment of OSA. It works by limiting exhalation through the nose, which results in a buildup of back pressure in the upper airway. This pressure holds the upper airway open during sleep.
In the Journal of Clinical Sleep Medicine is a study of long term Provent use in OSA. Of note, it is a 12 month extension of the short-term open label study done earlier. See my earlier post from March 2011 on this short term study. Thirty-four patients were analyzed at the 12 month time point.
The median use for the entire night was 89%. The results showed significant improvements in the severity of OSA when using Provent at 12 months. The median time spent snoring while wearing Provent was reduced by 74%. The Provent group also had significant reductions in the level of daytime sleepiness. For those patients that wore Provent at the 3 month mark and had a positive response to it, there was continued benefit at the 12 month mark. The authors concluded that Provent is an effective treatment option for many OSA patients.
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