Treatment of OSA with CPAP Is Associated with Improvement in PTSD Symptoms among Veterans.

ABSTRACT:

Study objectives

Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is common among veterans of the military, with sleep disturbance as a hallmark manifestation. A growing body of research has suggested a link between obstructive sleep apnea and PTSD, potentially due to obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) related sleep disruption, or via other mechanisms. We examined the hypothesis that treatment of OSA with positive airway pressure would reduce PTSD symptoms over 6 months.

Methods

A prospective study of Veterans with confirmed PTSD and new diagnosis of OSA not yet using PAP therapy were recruited from a Veteran's Affairs sleep medicine clinic. All subjects were instructed to use PAP each night. Assessments were performed at 3 and 6 months. The primary outcome was a reduction in PTSD symptoms a

SUBMITTER: Orr JE 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5181615 | biostudies-literature | 2017 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature