Jc. Sailly et al., Profiles of 939 patients with obstructive sleep apnea treated with continuous positive pressure therapy., REV MAL RES, 16(6), 1999, pp. 1121-1130
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.