COMPLIANCE IN THE TREATMENT OF OBSTRUCTIV E SLEEP-APNEA SYNDROME WITHNASAL CONTINUOUS POSITIVE PRESSURE

The therapy of the obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS) with nasal continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) eliminates symptoms of OSAS and is currently the non-surgical therapy of choice. The present stud y was undertaken to evaluate the compliance with such therapy in our s etting, the factors associated with it, and the secondary effects. A s ample of 88 patients diagnosed with OSAS and undergoing CPAP followed for a period of 29 +/- 11 months was studied. The results showed that compliance among our patients, as measured by time counter, was 70% an d was associated with drowsiness degree, apnea/hypopnea index, and mea n pressure of CPAP. The subjective evaluation of compliance by patient s overestimates the actual use of the CPAP device. There was a high sa tisfaction degree with therapy, and secondary effects were not a limit ing factor for compliance. The therapeutical approach of the patient m ust be on an individual basis if a good aceptance level is to be achie ved.