Clinical Outcomes of Continuous Positive Airway Pressure for Obstructive Sleep Apnoea

This project will investigate the sleep and cardiovascular effects of obstructive sleep apnoea treatment (OSA) treatment in Chinese adults, and whether these outcomes differ in those observed in a similar group of Caucasian adults. Adults of Chinese descent (intervention) and Caucasian descent (comparator) with newly diagnosed moderate to severe OSA (apnoea-hypopnoea index (AHI) >15 events/hour) and prescribed CPAP will be recruited. All participants will receive continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) treatment for the 12-week duration of the study. CPAP involves using a machine to deliver a continuous flow of pressurized air through a mask to keep the airway open during sleep, used to treat obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). The pressurized air prevents the airway from collapsing, allowing for uninterrupted breathing. CPAP will be used for all periods of sleep including naps over the 12-week study period. The CPAP machine setup and mask fitting will be performed by a CPAP therapist (sleep scientist) for each participant at the start of the 12-week trial. Sleep, cardiovascular, and metabolic health outcomes will be assessed pre and post CPAP treatment. The primary outcome of this study is change in blood pressure following CPAP treatment, with secondary outcomes including anthropometry, cardiovascular biomarkers, and sleep quality. CPAP adherence is monitored through data download from the CPAP machine itself, which tracks usage hours, mask leaks, and the pressure setting.