Patients with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) who receive treatment from a sleep center accredited by the American Academy of Sleep Medicine (AASM) are more likely to continue their continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) treatments for longer periods of time, according to new research. Results of the study, conducted by Siva Ramachandran, MD, were presented last week at SLEEP 2008, the 22nd Annual Meeting of the Associated Professional Sleep Societies (APSS).

Ramachandran and colleagues followed 55 consecutive patients who, at their 1-month follow-up visit, reported CPAP compliance of less than 4 hours and who were being treated in an AASM-accredited sleep center.

"This study was unique, as it targeted patients with high risk for CPAP failure, in a community setting with resources identified within the center, and was developed in a longitudinal model of patient care," said Ramachandran. "Access to specialized services with close follow-up in an AASM accredited center improves long term CPAP compliance in patients with high risk of CPAP failure. Patients in the older age group are particularly responsive to multimodal CPAP rescue services and are a model for development in sleep centers."

As part of the study, subjects were evaluated and counseled by a board-certified sleep specialist and a certified respiratory therapist and were educated about OSA. Participants had CPAP desensitization and mask fittings within the center and had access to specialized CPAP clinics, when indicated.

All patients had open access to their sleep specialist by telephone, e-mail, or clinic visits and were given round-the-clock access to a CPAP hot line to the center with close tracking of problems within 24 hours.

According to the researchers, 61% of patients were compliant and, during the 6-month follow-up period, CPAP compliance improved in these patients and more patients availed themselves of mask changes and desensitization in the compliant group. Also, an older age was correlated to increasing compliance.

In addition, there was close collaboration with center staff and durable medical equipment providers in specialized multidisciplinary CPAP clinics.

CPAP Central, a site created by the AASM, provides the public with comprehensive, accurate, and reliable information about CPAP.