Royal Papworth Hospital has received a grant from the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) to explore a combined therapy treatment for obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA).

A new study led by researchers at Royal Papworth Hospital NHS Foundation Trust will investigate whether a combined therapy approach for treating obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA) is more effective than current methods.

OSA is a common and serious sleep disorder which affects an estimated 1.5 million adults in the UK1.

The usual treatment for OSA is CPAP (continuous positive airway pressure) therapy delivered through a mask, but this can be uncomfortable and intolerable, leading to high drop-out rates.

The study will explore whether combining CPAP with a mandibular advancement device (MAD) is better than using CPAP alone, by improving compliance.

“OSA has a huge impact on people, their health and the economy,” said Dr Tim Quinnell, consultant respiratory and sleep physician at Royal Papworth Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, which is leading the study.

“Poor quality of sleep has a negative impact on daytime functioning and quality of life. This leads to a greater likelihood of excessive daytime sleepiness, poor concentration and memory, irritability, and an increased risk of being involved in road traffic accidents.

“Severe OSA can also contribute to high blood pressure and is associated with a two-and-a-half times higher risk of developing cardiovascular disease, including heart attack and stroke."

OSA occurs when the throat muscles relax too much during sleep, causing the upper airway to become excessively floppy and block-off breathing, causing ‘apnoeas’ (breathing pauses).

These apnoeas lead to a drop in blood oxygen level and force the person to briefly wake up so that their airway reopens.

Often people do not know they are waking up, sometimes multiple times a night and for between 10-20 seconds each time.

Symptoms include loud snoring, making gasping or choking noises, and waking up with a headache.

“It has been estimated that treating all OSA effectively could save the NHS £5 million per year," added Dr Quinnell.