Abstract
Sleep disordered breathing is made up of a group of conditions that include obstructive
sleep apnea, central sleep apnea, complex sleep apnea, and sleep-related hypoventilation.
Continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) is the first-line therapy for obstructive
sleep apnea. The other forms of sleep disordered breathing require different types
of positive airway pressure (PAP). Adherence to PAP can be challenging and affected
by multiple factors. Educating the patient regarding the consequences of untreated
sleep disordered breathing and the benefits of PAP is the first step in improving
adherence. Attention to social, psychological, and demographic factors that may contribute
to difficulty complying is important. Addressing side effects such as nasal symptoms
and equipment usability issues is also beneficial. Compliance can be monitored by
the data download cards present in PAP machines, but clinicians must be aware of the
limitations of the data obtained. The challenges of improving adherence occur along
with the increasing need to demonstrate to payers a patient's adherence to and benefit
from PAP therapy.
Keywords
positive airway pressure therapy - adherence - compliance - obstructive sleep apnea
- sleep disordered breathing
