Methods
Fifteen consecutive patients (14 males/one female, aged 53 ± 6 years) with newly diagnosed disease were enrolled in this study. Diagnosis was made by all-night polysomnography using standard criteria. Blood gases, body mass index measurement (BMI) and spirometry were performed in all patients. P0.1 and the mean inspiratory flow (VT/TI) were used as indices of respiratory drive. All parameters of the respiratory cycle were measured during the P0.1 procedure (VT, f, VE, TI, TTOT, TI/TTOT). We measured the parameters at rest and during two stages of submaximal exercise. We evaluated all the parameters before and 6 months after CPAP treatment.