The Compliance and Effect of CPAP in Obstructive Sleep Apnea Syndrome

Abstract

Objectives: Continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) is effective in the treatment of obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS), but the major limitation of CPAP may be poor compliance. The aims of the study were to investigate the compliance and side effects of CPAP, and to evaluate the efficacy of CPAP in patients with OSAS. Methods: This study enrolled 106 patients with OSAS who took the CPAP treatment. The severity of daytime sleepiness was measured using Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS), and sleep quality and depressive symptoms were assessed by Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) and Beck Depression Inventory (BDI), respectively. Results: During 29 months of the study period, 41.5% of patients were using CPAP and 38.7% of patients stopped using it. Compared to non-compliant patients, compliant patients had a higher PSQI score and obstructive apnea index. Among non-compliant patients, 51.2% of them stopped using CPAP within 1months. 85.7% of non-compliant patients were discomforted by the CPAP, but much more nasopharyngeal symptoms were reported in the compliant group. ESS (p