Association of CPAP bacterial colonization with chronic rhinosinusitis

Study Objective: The purpose of our study was to investigate whether bacterial colonization of the continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) machine reservoirs occurred, and if so, if it was related to the development of chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS). Design: Prospective cohort study. Setting: London Health Sciences Center (LHSC). Patients: Regular CPAP users with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). Interventions: N/A. Measurements and Results: Patient demographics were recorded and they were asked to fill out the chronic sinusitis survey (CSS) form. Patients then had their CPAP machines swabbed. An ANOVA was used to determine if the presence of microbacterial colonization was related to CSS scores. In total, 72 patients were included in the study. There was no significant difference in any of the scores between the group with positive cultures and the group without positive cultures. Conclusions: Having a positive culture in the CPAP reservoir does not seem to lead to an increased symptomatology of CRS: although the reservoirs often become colonized, there seems to be no clinical impact.