D30 NEW INSIGHTS INTO OBSTRUCTIVE SLEEP APNEA PATHOGENESIS: Therapeutic Cpap Level Predicts Upper Airway Collapsibility In Patients With Obstructive Sleep Apnea

Importantly, patients with mild upper airway collapsibility (compared to highly collapsible airways) at baseline are more likely to respond to non-CPAP treatment for OSA, such as weight loss, oral appliance therapy, as well a non-anatomical interventions, such as the combination of supplemental oxygen and a hypnotic. [...]there is no simple way to measure upper airway collapsibility clinically. [...]the present study aimed to develop a simple, clinically implementable way to evaluate the collapsibility of a patient's upper airway.