Survival benefit of continuous positive airway pressure in Japanese patients with obstructive sleep apnea: a propensity-score matching analysis.

Study Objectives: Continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) improves quality of life in patients with obstructive sleep apneas. However, the long-term benefit in all-cause mortality and cardiovascular death are limited among Japanese.

Methods: We conducted a retrospective study of patients treated in our sleep clinic in Okinawa, Japan.

[Multiple sleep latency test (MSLT) and maintenance of wakefulness test (MWT)].

To define and evaluate sleepiness thoroughly has not yet completely established because of its multidimensional aspects of character. Multiple sleep latency test (MSLT) and maintenance of wakefulness test (MWT) have been the important tools to assess sleepiness in the research and clinical settings, although they have several limitations and pitfalls. The coverage by the National Health Insurance of MSLT, since April 1, 2008, in Japan, so far not MWT, would extend the diagnosis and care of sleep disorders concerning excessive daytime sleepiness including narcolepsy and idiopathic hypersomnia.