A SURVEY OF COMPLIANCE IN CPAP DEVICE THERAPY IN PATIENTS WITH OBSTRUCTIVE SLEEP APNEA

Abstract

The aim of this study was to use a survey to evaluate compliance in CPAP therapy in patients with OSA. Questionnaires were given to participants undergoing sleep studies and in use of a CPAP device for at least four months. Participants were at least eighteen years of age. A total of 123 participants, 63 women and 60 men were surveyed between March 2 and May 1, 2013 at sleep centers in Frederick and Rockville Maryland. CPAP compliance was defined as using the therapy for an average of at least four hours or more every night. Compliance with CPAP was 63% (50% men and 76% women) before projected usage on survey. Survey projected usage measures focused on how informed they were on the OSA disease process, comfort, and follow up care. Compliance after projected usage measures increased from 63 to 97% overall; including 96% on knowledge of OSA (92% men, 100% women); 96% for comfort (95% men, 97% women); 99% for follow-up care (98% men and 100% women). Results from this study suggest that the level of understanding an individual patient has about OSA and CPAP treatment positively correlates with compliance.