Study to Investigate Sleep Apnea Patients at Altitude

Not Applicable

Completed

• Conditions: Obstructive Sleep Apnea Syndrome

• Registration Number: NCT00514826
• Lead Sponsor: University of Zurich

Brief Summary

The purpose of the study is to investigate the effect of an altitude sojourn on patients with the obstructive sleep apnea syndrome

Detailed Description

Previous observations do not allow to draw firm conclusions on the effect of altitude sojourn on sleep, breathing and daytime performance in patients with the obstructive sleep apnea syndrome. Furthermore, the susceptibility of sleep apnea patients to high altitude related illness is not known. Therefore, the purpose is to study untreated patients with obstructive sleep apnea syndrome living at low altitude during a sojourn of a few days at moderate altitude in order to evaluate the physiologic effects of hypobaric hypoxia in these patients. We hypothesize that: 1. Sleep and nocturnal breathing disturbances in untreated OSA patients are more pronounced at moderate altitude compared to low altitude. 2. The increase in sleep related breathing disturbances at moderate altitude is due to an increase in central apnea/hypopnea

Study Timeline

• Study Start: 2007-08
• Study First Submitted: 2007-08-09
• Study First Submitted QC: 2007-08-09
• Study First Posted: 2007-08-10
• Primary Completion: 2007-10
• Study Completion: 2007-10
• Status Verified: 2010-05
• Last Update Submitted: 2010-05-25
• Last Update Posted: 2010-05-26

Recruitment & Eligibility

• Status: COMPLETED
• Sex: All
• Target Recruitment: 40

Inclusion Criteria

• Obstructive sleep apnea syndrome based on symptoms and a sleep study

Exclusion Criteria

• Sleep disorders other than obstructive sleep apnea syndrome
• Other than mild, stable cardiovascular disease
• Other than mild lung disease
• Chronic rhinitis, previous uvulopalatopharyngoplasty
• Treatment with drugs that affect respiratory center drive
• Internal, neurologic or psychiatric disease that interferes with sleep quality
• Previous intolerance to moderate or low altitude < 2600m

Study & Design

• Study Type: INTERVENTIONAL
• Study Design: CROSSOVER

Primary Outcome Measures

Name	Time	Method
Prevalence and severity of sleep disordered breathing	during altitude sojourn

Secondary Outcome Measures

Name	Time	Method
alterations in sleep structure and vigilance; high altitude related illness	during altitude sojourn

Trial Locations

Locations (1)

Pulmonary Division, University Hospital Zurich, Switzerland; 🇨🇭 Zurich, Switzerland