Adherence to continuous positive airway pressure therapy in obstructive sleep apnea syndrome: effect of visual education

• Published in: Sleep & breathing 2012-12, Vol.16 (4), p.1193-1200
• Main Authors: Basoglu, Ozen K., Midilli, Meltem, Midilli, Rasit, Bilgen, Cem
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Adult; Aged; Airway management; Biological and medical sciences; Cerebrospinal fluid. Meninges. Spinal cord; Continuous positive airway pressure; Continuous Positive Airway Pressure - psychology; Dentistry; Disorders of Excessive Somnolence - psychology; Disorders of Excessive Somnolence - therapy; Disorders of higher nervous function. Focal brain diseases. Central vestibular syndrome and deafness. Brain stem syndromes; Female; Follow-Up Studies; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; Humans; Internal Medicine; Male; Medical sciences; Medicine; Medicine & Public Health; Middle Aged; Nervous system (semeiology, syndromes); Neurology; Original Article; Otorhinolaryngology; Patient Compliance - psychology; Patient education; Patient Education as Topic - methods; Pediatrics; Pneumology/Respiratory System; Prospective Studies; Sleep apnea; Sleep Apnea, Obstructive - psychology; Sleep Apnea, Obstructive - therapy; Sleep. Vigilance; Surveys and Questionnaires; Turkey; Vertebrates: nervous system and sense organs; Videotape Recording
• ISSN: 1520-9512; 1522-1709
• DOI: 10.1007/s11325-011-0631-9

Background Continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) therapy is the most effective treatment in obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS) although it is known that adherence to therapy is limited. The aims of this study were to evaluate the effect of visual education on CPAP adherence and to identify the factors affecting adherence. Methods Out of 133 consecutive newly diagnosed moderate-to-severe OSAS patients, 66 were informed about OSAS and CPAP therapy and received visual education by videotape (video group), whereas only information was given to 67 of them (control group). The patients were followed up in the 1st, 3rd, and 6th months. Results After 6-month follow-up, adherence rate to CPAP therapy was 71.2% in the video group and 56.7% in the control group ( p  = 0.08). OSAS symptoms, such as witnessed apnea, morning headache, night sweating, dry mouth, and Epworth sleepiness score (ESS), were ameliorated more significantly in the video group ( p