Abstract:

[Abstract] Objective To investigate the effect of continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) on seizure frequency in epilepsy patients complicated with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). Methods Subjects were divided into CPAP group (20 subjects) and medication group (22 subjects) according to whether they can tolerate CPAP. CPAP group were treated with CPAP combined with antiepileptic drugs. Medication group were treated with antiepileptic drugs alone. Seizure frequency and apnea- hypopnea index (AHI) were compared between groups before and after 4 weeks and 24 weeks of treatment. Results Baseline seizure frequency and apnea-hypopnea index (AHI) were compared between groups（P＞ 0.05）. A sig? nificant reduction of seizure frequency was observed in CPAP group after 4 weeks and 24 weeks of treatment compared to that before treatment (P＜ 0.01). In medication group, no significant difference in seizure frequency was noted betweem 4 weeks and 24 weeks after treatment compared to that before treatment（P＞ 0.05）. A significant reduction of AHI was ob? served in the CPAP group after 24 weeks of treatment compared to that before treatment (P＜ 0.01), but no change of AHI by treatment was observed in medication group (P＞ 0.05). Conclusion Treatment of OSA in patients complicated with epilep? sy may improve seizure control in short and long term, but longer observation time and more samples are needed for further research.

Key words: obstructive sleep apnea, epilepsy, continuous positive airway pressure, drug therapy