M S Ip

Professor M S Ip, University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China; msmip@hkucc.hku.hk

STUDY DESIGN

Design:

3-group randomised controlled trial.

Allocation:

unconcealed.*

Blinding:

unblinded.*

STUDY QUESTION

Setting:

sleep laboratories at a university and a regional hospital in Hong Kong, China.

Patients:

101 patients (mean age 46 y, 78% men) with an apnoea-hypopnoea index (AHI) ⩾5–40 and, for those with AHI scores of 5–20, an Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS) score >9. Exclusion criteria included excessive sleepiness, unstable medical diseases, and sleep disorders other than OSA.

Intervention:

(i) continuous positive airways pressure (CPAP) at a pretitrated pressure and conservative measures (CM) consisting of advice on sleep hygiene and prescription to attend a weight control programme if necessary (n = 34); (ii) a tailor-made, non-adjustable, Harvold type, oral appliance that …