The effectiveness of supplemental oxygen and high-flow nasal cannula therapy in patients with obstructive sleep apnea in different clinical settings: A systematic review and meta-analysis

Study objective: To evaluate the effectiveness of supplemental oxygen therapy and high-flow nasal cannula (HFNC) therapy in patients with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) in different clinical settings to assess its appli-cation to surgical patients in the postoperative setting. Design: A systematic search was conducted on MEDLINE and other databases from 1946 to December 16th, 2021. Title and abstract screening were conducted independently, and the lead investigators resolved conflicts. Meta-analyses were performed using a random-effects model and are presented as mean difference and standardized mean difference with 95% confidence intervals. These were calculated using RevMan 5.4. Patients: 1395 and 228 OSA patients underwent oxygen therapy and HFNC therapy respectively. Interventions: Oxygen therapy and HFNC therapy. Measurements: Apnea-hypopnea index (AHI), oxyhemoglobin saturation (SpO2), cumulative time with SPO2 < 90% (CT90). Main results: Twenty-seven oxygen therapy studies were included in the review, with ten randomized controlled trials (RCT), seven randomized crossovers, seven non-randomized crossovers, and three prospective cohorts. Pooled analyses showed that oxygen therapy significantly reduced AHI by 31% and increased SpO2 by 5% versus baseline, and CPAP significantly reduced AHI by 84%, and increased SpO2 by 3% versus baseline. CPAP was 53% more effective in reducing AHI than oxygen therapy, but both treatments had similar effectiveness in increasing SpO2. Nine HFNC studies were included in the review, with five prospective cohorts, three randomized cross-overs, and one RCT. Pooled analyses showed that HFNC therapy significantly reduced AHI by 36% but did not substantially increase SpO2. Conclusions: Oxygen therapy effectively reduces AHI and increases SpO2 in patients with OSA. CPAP is more effective in reducing AHI than oxygen therapy. HFNC therapy is effective in reducing AHI. Although both oxygen therapy and HFNC therapy effectively reduce AHI, more research is needed to draw conclusions on clinical outcomes.

Automated summary

The study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of supplemental oxygen therapy and high-flow nasal cannula (HFNC) therapy in patients with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) in different clinical settings. The results showed that oxygen therapy significantly reduced AHI and increased SpO2, but CPAP was more effective in reducing AHI compared to oxygen therapy. HFNC therapy effectively reduced AHI, but did not substantially increase SpO2.