Nocturnal Continuous Positive Airway Pressure in Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease Patients
Nocturnal Continuous Positive Airway Pressure in Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease Patients
Static hyperinflation is frequent in Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) , resulting
 in increased end expiratory lung volume and positive end expiratory pressure (PEEPi) at the
 end of a normal expiration.

 Static hyperinflation worsens the work of breathing is increases patient's dyspnea.

 The application of a continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) has been shown to improve
 static hyperinflation and to decrease the work of breathing.

 Sleep is deteriorated in COPD patients, and causal factors includes static hyperinflation.
 The purpose of our study is to assess the effect of nocturnal CPAP on sleep quality and
 functional respiratory parameters.
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is characterized by an airflow obstruction,
 inducing a flow limitation. As a consequence, we observe in these patients an increased end
 expiratory lung volume and a positive end expiratory pressure (PEEPi) at the end of a normal
 expiration.

 Patients are breathing at higher pulmonary volumes: this is the concept of static
 hyperinflation.

 This worsens the breathing pattern because in this situation, the work of breathing is
 increased such that dyspnea increases.

 The application of a continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) has been shown to improve
 static hyperinflation and to decrease the work of breathing.

 Sleep is deteriorated in COPD patients, and causal factors includes static hyperinflation,
 cough, depression. Moreover, normal physiological changes occuring during sleep in COPD
 patients are leading to deterioration of gaseous exchanges. The purpose of our study is to
 assess the effect of nocturnal CPAP on sleep quality and functional respiratory parameters.
Inclusion Criteria:

 -  stable chronic obstructive pulmonary disease patients exhibiting a FEV1<80 %,

 Exclusion Criteria:

 -  Known sleep apnea syndrome or other sleep disease interfering with sleep quality

 -  Body mass index > 30 kg/m2

 -  heart failure

 -  hypnotics intake