Adherence to Continuous Positive Airway Pressure Therapy: The Challenge to Effective Treatment

Despite the high efficacy of continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) to reverse upper airway obstruction in sleep apnea, treatment effectiveness is limited by variable adherence to prescribed therapy. When adherence is defined as greater than 4 hours of nightly use, 46 to 83% of patients with obstructive sleep apnea have been reported to be nonadherent to treatment. Evidence suggests that use of CPAP for longer than 6 hours decreases sleepiness, improves daily functioning, and restores memory to normal levels. The decision to embrace CPAP occurs during the first few days of treatment. Although many strategies in patient interface with CPAP or machine modality are marketed to improve CPAP usage, there are…

• G
  GlaxoSmithKline
• S
  Sanofi
• R
  ResMed
• NH
  National Health and Medical Research Council

  Awards: 457355, 264598
• NH
  National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute