[Acceptability and compliance to long-term continuous positive pressure treatment]

Introduction: Compliance with continuous positive pressure treatment (CPAP) is a determining factor in the management of the obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS). Long-term compliance has been poorly studied.

Methods: The probability of long-term continuation of CPAP was evaluated retrospectively by an analysis of survival in 252 patients treated by CPAP after a screening of 472 patients during the years 2002 and 2003.

Results: Twenty-eight patients fulfilling the criteria for CPAP immediately refused the treatment. The mean follow-up for the 252 treated patients was 76.9±46.4 months, with 38 patients having died and 75 having discontinued treatment during the period. The 136 patients who continued treatment used CPAP for a mean of 7.4±1.6hours daily. The probability of continuing treatment was 71% at 5 years and 68% at 10 years. The severity of OSAS was a predictive factor for long-term CPAP compliance, with a 10-year compliance of 82% in patients having an apnoea/hypopnoea index >60, versus 68% with an index between 30-60 and 44% with an index <30.

Conclusion: Long-term CPAP treatment is globally well accepted, with a 68% probability of continuing treatment for 10 years, particularly in the most severely affected patients. Long-term daily compliance is very satisfactory.