Three months of treatment for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) with positive airway pressure (PAP) therapy significantly reduces fatigue and improves cardiovascular function in people living with HIV.
This was demonstrated by a study conducted at the University of California, San Diego, writes Medscape.
The trial involved more than 40 patients with a confirmed diagnosis of OSA. The average age of the participants was 52 years, almost all of them were men. For three months, they used a special device that supplies air under controlled pressure through a mask during sleep: this prevents the airways from closing and normalizes breathing.
The results showed a significant decrease in fatigue, as well as improved sleep quality and reduced daytime sleepiness. In addition, there was an improvement in the condition of the vessels and a decrease in heart rate by an average of five beats per minute. Blood pressure did not change significantly.
Experts emphasize that doctors who work with HIV-positive patients should regularly screen for sleep apnea. After all, timely treatment not only alleviates symptoms, but also has a positive effect on the work of the heart and blood vessels.