Observational study on effects of CPAP on depressive symptoms in OSAS
Research type
Research Study
Full title
The effect of short term Continuous positive airway pressure treatment on depressive symptoms in Obstructive sleep Apnoea Syndrome patients, including anti-depressant Treatment resistant patients: An observational study
IRAS ID
228601
Contact name
Tess Compton-Price
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Portsmouth NHS Hospitals Trust
Duration of Study in the UK
1 years, 0 months, 1 days
Research summary
Obstructive sleep apnoea syndrome (OSAS) cause muscles in the airways to relax and stop the person breathing. This causes the person to wake to breathe again and disrupts their sleep cycle. A high association between OSAS and depression has been consistently recorded in research studies. Depression is a persistent low mood or loss of interest in previously pleasurable activities, for over two weeks. Therefore, there are similar symptoms in OSAS and depression, such as fatigue, low mood, and un-refreshing sleep. Patients could be misdiagnosed with depression and begin on inappropriate courses of antidepressants. This is a major problem, as the number of anti-depressant prescriptions has doubled in the last decade, costing the NHS £780,000 per day.
The recommended treatment for OSAS, continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) has been shown to significantly improve depressive symptoms. However, most studies have excluded those on antidepressants, while others failed to note antidepressant use. This study hypothesises that those on antidepressants but with residual depressive symptoms may have underlying OSAS. Therefore, their depressive symptoms will improve with CPAP treatment.
The COAST study is an observational study in the sleep department of Portsmouth Hospitals NHS Trust. Questionnaires will be given to participants on attendance to their initial sleep consultation, beginning on CPAP treatment, and at their 6-8 week treatment review. The questionnaires will focus on the participants’ depressive symptoms, sleepiness, fatigue, and anti-depressant medication. The participants’ OSAS severity and compliance with CPAP will also be assessed.
More studies are required to assess if there is a potential for alternative testing before a patient begins on antidepressants. This study aims to show that patients may have been misdiagnosed with depression and that underlying OSAS is the cause of their symptoms. Therefore, referring for a sleep study may be more appropriate than a prescription for antidepressants.REC name
East Midlands - Leicester South Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
17/EM/0304
Date of REC Opinion
4 Sep 2017
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion