Obstructive sleep apnea in patients with fibrotic interstitial lung disease (non-idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis): what should be offered?

Objective: The frequency of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) in patients with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is high. The clinical course of non-IPF interstitial lung disease (ILD) can be similar to that of IPF. We sought to assess the frequency and predictors of OSA in patients with non-IPF fibrotic ILD, as well as the impact of positive airway pressure (PAP) therapy on the quality of life of such patients.

Methods: This was a prospective study in which non-IPF fibrotic ILD patients underwent a home sleep apnea test. The patients with and without OSA were compared, and a multivariate logistic regression model was used to identify independent predictors of OSA. At 3 months after initiation of PAP therapy, we evaluated the participating patients for respiratory events, nocturnal hypoxemia, and changes in quality of life.

Results: Of a total of 50 patients, 50% were male, and 76% were diagnosed with OSA. The mean age was 67.8 ± 8.3 years. The patients with OSA had significantly lower TLC (p = 0.033) and awake SpO2 (p = 0.023) than did those without OSA. In the multivariate logistic regression model, SpO2 (OR = 0.46; p = 0.016) and TLC (OR = 0.95; p = 0.026) remained significantly associated with OSA risk. A total of 12 patients received PAP therapy. At 3 months after initiation of PAP therapy, 91.7% were well controlled, Epworth Sleepiness Scale scores decreased significantly (p = 0.006), and emotional well-being tended to improve (p = 0.068). PAP therapy corrected nocturnal hypoxemia in all patients.

Conclusions: We found a high frequency of OSA in patients with non-IPF fibrotic ILD. A low TLC was an independent predictor of a higher risk of OSA. PAP therapy can correct nocturnal hypoxemia. There should be a low threshold for suspicion of OSA and initiation of PAP therapy in patients with non-IPF fibrotic ILD.