Efficiency of continuous positive airway pressure versus theophylline therapy in sleep apnea: comparative sleep laboratory studies on objective and subjective sleep and awakening quality.

Sleep apnea is the most common sleep-related breathing disorder characterized by repetitive episodes of hypoxemia. Therapies include behavioral, surgical, orthodontic, pneumological, and pharmacological interventions. The aim of the present study was to compare the efficiency of pneumological therapy by nasal continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) versus a pharmacological approach with theophylline (Respicur retard(R) 400 mg) on respiratory variables as well as objective and subjective sleep and awakening quality in patients with moderate sleep apnea measured by polysomnography and psychometry.