Prevalence of continuous positive airway pressure-related aerophagia in obstructive sleep apnea: an observational study of 753 cases undergoing CPAP/BiPAP treatment in a sleep clinic – part one of a two-part series

Aerophagia occurring during continuous positive airway pressure (C-aerophagia in CPAP) in patients with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) disturbs CPAP therapy. However, the diagnostic criteria and exact prevalence of C-aerophagia are not well documented; therefore, this study aimed to evaluate them.

Newly developed criteria (flatulence, eructation, and abdominal bloating, with quantitative evaluation of these symptoms and a clear timing of onset) were used to diagnose C-aerophagia. The study included 753 adults with OSA who underwent follow-up visits for positive airway pressure treatment (including CPAP and bilevel positive airway pressure). The observation period ranged from 6 months to 3 years past the survey date (between May 1 and July 31, 2023). Medical records of patients were retrospectively analyzed. Discomfort associated with C-aerophagia was examined using a visual analog scale (VAS); a score ≥ 7 was associated with definite discomfort. Association of patient demographics and CPAP parameters with occurrence of C-aerophagia was analyzed using multivariate analysis.

The prevalence of C-aerophagia was 7.2%. Although more than half of these patients reported discomfort associated with aerophagia, only 44.4% reported to their physician. The multivariate analysis showed that increased CPAP pressure level (odds ratio [OR] = 1.24) and comorbid gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD; OR = 2.52) promote C-aerophagia, while increased age (OR = 0.76) and body mass index (BMI; OR = 0.88) inhibit it.

The prevalence of C-aerophagia was 7.2%. Most patients with C-aerophagia experience discomfort, but may not report these symptoms. High CPAP pressure and GERD promoted C-aerophagia, while aging and increased BMI prevented it.