Obstructive Sleep Apnea, CPAP Treatment & Cognitive Ability in HIV

Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is a breathing disorder that is characterized by episodes of complete or partial cessation of respiration during sleep, associated with upper airway collapse, oxygen desaturation and sleep fragmentation. OSA is a condition frequently implicated in cognitive disturbances, as well as associated with health conditions such as hypertension, metabolic disturbances and heightened risk of heart disease, stroke and mortality. These conditions are also increased in persons living with HIV. Individuals suffering from OSA report an increase in daytime sleepiness, mood changes and decline in quality of life.OSA also portends economic and societal impact through lost productivity at work and motor vehicle accidents. The presence of OSA is therefore important to detect in those living with HIV as it is potentially treatable contributors to cognitive disturbances in HIV. Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP) is the recommended treatment of choice for OSA. CPAP has established efficacy in improving cognition (executive function, long-term verbal and visual memory, attention/vigilance and global cognitive functioning). Although CPAP has been associated with improvements in cognitive functioning in the general population, its effectiveness in improving cognition in HIV+ individuals has never been previously tested. Given that cognitive disturbances in this population are multi-factorial, determining whether treatment of OSA in this population improves cognition is key in improving the clinical management of HIV+ individuals, both for its negative impact on cognition, but also more generally for their health.