Description

Some patients with obstructive sleep apnea stop using their CPAP device over time. Sawyer et al listed risk factors for poor adherence. The authors are from the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia Veterans Affairs Medical Center, the Children’s Hospital Philadephia and the University of Illinois at Chicago.


 

Patient selection: obstructive sleep apnea

 

Risk factors for poor CPAP adherence:

(1) pediatric patient (school-aged child or adolescent)

(2) lack of proximate social support

(3) adult with small nasal cross-sectional area

(4) claustrophobia at start of therapy

(5) low belief in the ability to use CPAP

(6) unable to give reasons for using CPAP or to state treatment goals

(7) difficulties when starting CPAP

(8) negative experience with CPAP during early home treatment period

(9) upper extremity weakness or other physical impairment that limits ability to use CPAP equipment

(10) inadequate education or intervention with patient and support persons

 


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