Abstract WP092: Effectiveness of Continuous Positive Airway Pressure Therapy on Apnea-Related Outcomes in Stroke Patients with Obstructive Sleep Apnea: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials

Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP) therapy is the first-line treatment for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). However, its effectiveness on apnea-related outcomes in stroke patients with OSA remains unclear. While several studies have investigated CPAP in this population, randomized controlled trials (RCTs) have not consistently shown significant neurological benefits. Therefore, we conducted a meta-analysis of RCTs evaluating the effect of CPAP on apnea-related outcomes in patients with stroke (ischemic or hemorrhagic) or transient ischemic attack (TIA) and concomitant OSA, compared with usual care or sham CPAP. We searched The Cochrane Library, PubMed, and EMBASE for relevant studies. Studies were included if more than 70% of participants were diagnosed with OSA. Outcomes of interest were apnea-hypopnea index (AHI), sleepiness, stroke recurrence, all-cause mortality, depression, quality of life, neurological function severity, activities of daily living (ADL), and functional independence. A total of nine studies with 671 patients were included, of whom 366 patients (54.5%) received CPAP. The studies had follow-up periods ranging from three weeks to two years. Patients who received CPAP treatment had significantly reduced AHI (MD -16.32; 95% CI –22.78 to –9.86; p