Consecutive COPD patients, referred to the Sleep Unit of our Department for evaluation of sleep disordered breathing from November 2017 to June 2020 and diagnosed with OSA (Αpnea hypopnea index, AHI ≥ 5/h), were prospectively enrolled in the study. Eligible patients were aged 40 years or older; were current or ex‐smokers with at least 10 pack‐year smoking history; had a diagnosis of stable COPD in the last month and received optimal bronchodilation treatment before the sleep study as per guidelines8 ; were able to understand and complete the study related procedures.
The following exclusion criteria were applied: central sleep apnea syndrome; recent infection and/or exacerbation history in the previous 3 months; respiratory acidosis or severe hypercapnia in wakefulness (pCO2 > 55 mmHg) in need for admission and ventilatory support with Bilevel Positive Airway Pressure; coexistent asthma; oral corticosteroid and immunomodulatory medications; active cancer; unstable cardiovascular disease (CVD) and any unstable concurrent disease; and/or clinically significant laboratory abnormalities.
The following exclusion criteria were applied: central sleep apnea syndrome; recent infection and/or exacerbation history in the previous 3 months; respiratory acidosis or severe hypercapnia in wakefulness (pCO2 > 55 mmHg) in need for admission and ventilatory support with Bilevel Positive Airway Pressure; coexistent asthma; oral corticosteroid and immunomodulatory medications; active cancer; unstable cardiovascular disease (CVD) and any unstable concurrent disease; and/or clinically significant laboratory abnormalities.
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