Health outcomes of continuous positive airway pressure versus mandibular advancement device for the treatment of severe obstructive sleep apnea: an individual participant data meta-analysis

STUDY OBJECTIVES: The impact of therapy with continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) and mandibular advancement device (MAD) has not been directly compared in patients with severe obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). The purpose of this individual participant data meta-analysis was to compare the treatment effects of CPAP and titratable MAD on sleepiness, quality of life, sleep-disordered breathing severity, and sleep structure in patients with severe OSA. METHODS: Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) that included severe OSA patients were identified in order to compare the impact of the two treatments. Individual data from severe OSA patients were extracted from the databases and pooled for analysis. RESULTS: Of the seven studies identified, three crossover RCT and one parallel-group RCT corresponding to 151 patients and 249 observations (125 in the CPAP treatment arm and 124 in the MAD treatment arm) were included in the analysis. Titratable MAD had a similar impact to CPAP on major patient-centered outcomes (sleepiness and quality of life). CPAP was more effective in reducing AHI and ODI. However, the two treatments had a similar impact on sleep structure with an increase of N3 and REM sleep. Finally, treatment adherence and preference were largely in favor of MAD. CONCLUSION: This meta-analysis suggests that MAD represents an effective alternative treatment in severe OSA patients intolerant to CPAP or who prefer alternate therapy.