The Effect of Continuous Positive Airway Pressure on Middle Ear Pressure

Mirjana Grebenar Čerkez; Željko Zubčić; Stjepan Jurić; Jelena Šarić Jurić; Jelena Kovačević; Darko Dukić; Darija Birtić

doi:10.26332/seemedj.v8i2.346

Mirjana Grebenar Čerkez Faculty of Medicine Osijek, Josip Juraj Strossmayer University of Osijek, Croatia; Department of Otorhinolaryngology and Head and Neck Surgery, University Hospital Center Osijek, Osijek, Croatia
Željko Zubčić Faculty of Medicine Osijek, Josip Juraj Strossmayer University of Osijek, Croatia; Department of Otorhinolaryngology and Head and Neck Surgery, University Hospital Center Osijek, Osijek, Croatia
Stjepan Jurić Faculty of Medicine Osijek, Josip Juraj Strossmayer University of Osijek, Croatia; Department of Neurology, University Hospital Center Osijek, Osijek, Croatia
Jelena Šarić Jurić Faculty of Medicine Osijek, Josip Juraj Strossmayer University of Osijek, Croatia; Department of Neurology, University Hospital Center Osijek, Osijek, Croatia
Jelena Kovačević Faculty of Medicine Osijek, Josip Juraj Strossmayer University of Osijek, Croatia; Institute of Emergency Medicine of the Vukovar-Srijem County, Vinkovci, Croatia
Darko Dukić Department of Physics, Josip Juraj Strossmayer University of Osijek, Croatia
Darija Birtić Faculty of Medicine Osijek, Josip Juraj Strossmayer University of Osijek, Croatia; Department of Otorhinolaryngology and Head and Neck Surgery, University Hospital Center Osijek, Osijek, Croatia

DOI: https://doi.org/10.26332/seemedj.v8i2.346

Abstract

Aim of the study: The study investigated the effects of continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) on middle ear pressure.

Methods: Forty-two patients with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) were assigned to the study group. The patients underwent standard tympanometry before starting CPAP therapy and six months after regular CPAP therapy.

Results: The average pressure range of the CPAP device (cm H2O) was 4,80 – 13,50. Middle ear pressure (MEP) was between -146,00 and 64,00 daPa before therapy and between -103,00 and 40,00 daPa after treatment. The results showed that the subjects experienced an increase in middle ear pressure after the CPAP therapy.

Conclusion: This study demonstrated that the appropriate use of CPAP therapy leads to a statistically significant increase in pressure in the middle ear.

Keywords: OSA, middle ear pressure, tympanometry, CPAP