Profiles of 939 patients with obstructive sleep apnea treated with continuous positive pressure therapy.

The aim of this study was to analyze the characteristics of patients on lon g-term continuous positive pressure therapy for obstructive sleep apnea in order to determine the efficacy, observance, tolerance, degree of patient s atisfaction and patient quality of life using the Nottingham scale. A questionnaire was sent to 939 patients treated for at least sir months in 11 centers. Factorial analysis of multiple correspondences and two classif ication analyses were used to establish patient profiles. Factorial analysis evidenced a relationship between patient satisfaction, r educed symptoms, observance and tolerance. The classification analyses dist inguished three groups. Group A (n = 596) included primarily men (93%) who were satisfied with the treatment (99%) and showed good observance. Group B (n = 284) was characterized by patient satisfaction, observance, improved symptoms and lower quality of life than group A. Group C was composed of ol der patients who were satisfied with their treatment and showed good observ ance but who had no notable improvement in their symptoms. In conclusion, this study pointed out the difficulty in defining which pati ents with obstructive sleep apnea would benefit most from continuous positi ve pressure therapy. Good observance is not a sufficient criterion for ther apeutic efficacy.