Provigil as Adjunct Therapy for Daytime Sleepiness in Obstructive Sleep Apnea
Patients with obstructive sleep apnea/hypopnea syndrome can experience residual daytime sleepiness despite regular use of nasal continuous positive airway pressure therapy. This randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, parallel group study assessed the efficacy and safety of Provigil for the treatment of residual daytime sleepiness in such patients.
Obstructive sleep apnea/hypopnea syndrome (OSA/HS) is a serious and chronic disorder characterized by repeated episodes of complete or partial collapse of the upper airway during sleep. The resulting disruption (or fragmentation) of sleep leads to excessive daytime sleepiness.
A relatively common condition, OSA/HS is estimated to affect 2 to 4% of middle-aged adults. Because the disorder has been associated with impairments in neurophysiologic, respiratory, cardiovascular, and cerebrovascular function, patients with OSA/ HS may experience significant morbidity and there is suggestive evidence of increased mortality.