We wished to determine if being treated for sleep apnea by a sleep specialist increased
patient awareness or long-term continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) compliance.
We performed a retrospective telephone survey and laboratory chart review in patients
with a diagnosis of sleep apnea evaluated either at a laboratory in which only sleep
specialists can order polysomnography (University Specialty Hospital, noted as USH)
or at a laboratory serving the medical community at large (Kernan Hospital, noted
as K). Both laboratories are under the same medical director, use the same policies
and procedures, equipment, and technician pool. One hundred three patients participated
in the survey (approximately 37% of those contacted), 59 from USH and 44 from K. The
groups were comparable in terms of demographics, presenting complaints, and apnea
severity. In patients treated by sleep specialists, awareness of the disease process
was greater and the evaluation was timelier than in patients treated by generalists.
However, there was no difference between the groups' long-term self-reported CPAP
acceptance or compliance. The most robust predictor of continued CPAP use was the
patient's self-report of feeling better.
KEYWORDS
Sleep apnea - continuous positive airway pressure - sleep specialists
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Steven M ScharfM.D. Ph.D.
Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care, University of Maryland
685 West Baltimore St., MSTF 800
Baltimore, MD 21209
Email: sscharf@medicine.umaryland.edu
