Narrative review of CPAP and non-CPAP treatments for obstructive sleep apnea in older adults
This narrative review summarizes evidence on CPAP and non-CPAP therapies for obstructive sleep apnea in older adults, noting that CPAP adherence falls with age and that geriatric-specific comparative evidence remains limited, indirect or drawn from younger adults. [1]
Automatic summary · not editorially reviewed
The key findings
CPAP is first-line treatment for most patients, but adherence decreases with increasing age. [1]
OSA in older adults often occurs with cognitive, cardiac and metabolic dysfunction, placing them at greater risk. [1]
Geriatric-specific comparative evidence remains limited, indirect, observational, or from adults substantially younger than the target population. [1]
The source at a glance
- Study type / format
- Narrative review (abstract)
- Population / context
- Older adults with obstructive sleep apnea
- Summary based on
- Study abstract
- Original publication
- August 21, 2026
Older adults with OSA and comorbidities
With an aging population and more metabolic disorders, obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is increasingly seen in older patients. In older adults OSA often occurs alongside cognitive, cardiac and metabolic dysfunction, which the review says places these patients at greater risk. Continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) is described as first-line treatment for most patients, but adherence decreases with increasing age. The review states that current literature on treatment considerations and efficacy in older patients is limited.
Supporting source [1]
Non-CPAP options in selected older adults
Some non-CPAP alternatives appear promising or effective in selected adults for improving sleep metrics, quality of life and mitigating comorbidities. Lifestyle modifications, positional therapy and oral appliances may yield benefits in older patients comparable to younger counterparts, but age-stratified studies are limited. Pharmacotherapy is an emerging area; GLP-1 receptor agonists show early potential with multifaceted benefits, though supporting studies were mainly in middle-aged adults. Hypoglossal nerve stimulation showed improved adherence compared with CPAP in small elderly-specific studies.
Supporting source [1]
Limited geriatric-specific comparative evidence
The review selected guidelines, clinical studies and systematic reviews from PubMed and Cochrane through April 2026 and grouped them by therapy type. It reports that geriatric-specific comparative evidence remains limited, indirect, observational, or derived from adults substantially younger than the target population. Managing OSA in older patients is described as highly nuanced, requiring consideration of polypharmacy, comorbidities and patient preferences. The authors call for larger prospective studies specific to older patients on efficacy, adherence and adverse effects.
Supporting source [1]
How to interpret this
Abstract only; the full text was not reviewed. This is a narrative review, not a new study, and it reports that geriatric-specific comparative evidence is limited, indirect, observational or from younger adults.
Based on the study abstract; the full paper, tables and supplementary data were not reviewed.
Source & supporting passages
Jaganathan N, Goel V, Liu X, Song W, Kwon Y, Logan J, Healy WJ. · europepmc.org · August 21, 2026