More than two thirds (67%) of those who started CPAP treatment in a long term study based in Pakistan had a “satisfactory” result, according to a recently published study titled “Compliance with continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) therapy for obstructive sleep apnea among privately paying patients- a cross sectional study“.
The study was conducted at The Aga Khan University Hospital, a private teaching hospital in Karachi, Pakistan. Patients were diagnosed to have OSA based on suggestive clinical features (habitual snoring, witnessed apnea, unrefreshing sleep and excessive daytime sleepiness) and confirmed by an overnight-supervised oximetry or polysomnography. Two levels of sleep studies were performed; overnight full polysomnography in 55 (73.3%) and overnight pulse oximetry in 20 (26.7%) patients.
As reported, out of 135 patients who were prescribed CPAP therapy, 75 could be contacted. Sixty (80%) started using CPAP within one month of diagnosis and 46 (61%) continued to use it long-term (beyond one year). Compliance with CPAP therapy was associated with higher body mass index, higher Epworth sleepiness scale score, history of witnessed apnea, and reduction in daytime sleepiness with CPAP therapy.
CPAP was perceived as a satisfactory treatment by 50 (67%), not satisfactory by 7 (9%) while 18 (24%) were not sure about it. Subjective improvement in snoring was reported by 51 (68%) and in daytime performance by 54 (72%). Objective improvement in Epworth sleepiness scale score was recorded in 54 (72%).
