Objective: To investigate the compliance with nasal continuous positive airway pressure (nCPAP) therapy in patients with sleep apnea syndrome (SAS) and to analyze the factors influencing the compliance.
Methods: A questionnaire about compliance was sent to 118 patients with SAS who accepted nCPAP home therapy from Feb, 1994 to Aug, 2000. The factors influencing compliance were analyzed.
Results: The compliance rate of nCPAP was 57%. The major factors influencing compliance were apnea-hypopnea index (AHI, P = 0.035), the lowest oxygen saturation (LSaO(2)) during sleep (P = 0.006), Epworth sleepiness scale (ESS) before and after treatment (P < 0.001) and the quality of nCPAP ventilators (P < 0.001).
Conclusions: (1) The self-reported compliance with nCPAP treatment is good. (2) The factors influencing compliance are AHI, LSaO(2) during sleep before treatment, ESS before and after treatment, and the quality of nCPAP ventilators.