Determinants of compliance with nasal continuous positive airway pressure treatment applied in a community setting

Abstract

Objectives: To assess determinants of nasal continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) compliance when applied in a community setting. Background: One-third of obstructive sleep apnea patients eventually refuse CPAP therapy. Treatment outcomes may be improved by identifying predictors of CPAP failure, including whether management by primary care physicians without sleep consultation affects results. Methods: Polysomnogram, chart review, and questionnaire results for regular CPAP users ( n=123) were compared with those returning the CPAP machine ( n=26). Results: Polysomnographic data and the presence of multiple sleep disorders were only modestly predictive of CPAP compliance. Striking differences in questionnaire responses separated CPAP users from non-users, who reported less satisfaction with all phases of their diagnosis and management. Rates of CPAP use were not significantly different between patients managed solely by their primary care physician or by a sleep consultant. Conclusions: Polysomnographic findings are unlikely to identify eventual CPAP non-compliers in a cost-effective fashion. Improvements in sleep apnea management may result from addressing the role of personality factors and multiple sleep disorders in determining compliance. In this practice setting, management by primary care physicians did not significantly degrade CPAP compliance.