Improving cpap compliance by a basic educational program with nurse support for obstructive sleep apnea syndrome patients

Abstract

Background and objective: Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP) is the treatment of choice for moderate to severe obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). However, the compliance to CPAP is variable. We evaluated the impact of a simple educational program administered by one nurse. Methods: We evaluated CPAP compliance in 95 OSA patients that participated in the educational program and in 93 patients that did not. The program provided information and training, supported by video sessions and outpatient visits with the nurse at 7, 15, 30, 60 and 90 days at after CPAP initiation. The control group did not receive any information or training. Both groups were evaluated at each visit, using the general sleep and Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS) questionnaire, for adherence and side effects of CPAP. results: Control and experimental groups had similar age (53±11 vs. 53±11 y), body mass index (32±6 vs. 33±7 kg/m2), apnea-hypopnea index (43±25 vs. 46±28), and CPAP pressure (17±5 vs. 16±6 cmH2O). CPAP compliance was signifcantly higher in the educational program group compared with the control group (71 vs. 56%, p=0.02; and 6.3±1.9 vs. 5.1±1.7 hrs/night, respectively, p=0.01) at the 90th day. In the educational program group, regular CPAP users had lower ESS scores after 90 days of CPAP therapy compared with irregular users (7.1±4.9 vs. 10.2±5.3, respectively; p=0.007). Conclusions: Our study supports the concept that an orientation program is effective in improving CPAP compliance.