Adherence to continuous positive airway pressure treatment in patients with Alzheimer's disease and obstructive sleep apnea.
OBJECTIVE
This analysis examined whether patients with Alzheimer disease (AD) tolerate continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP).


METHODS
Thirty patients with AD were randomized to CPAP or sham CPAP and completed sleep, depression, and quality-of-life questionnaires. Participants could choose to continue treatment after the trial.


RESULTS
Patients wore CPAP for 4.8 hours per night. More depressive symptoms were associated with worse adherence (rS=-0.37; N=30, p<0.04). Patients who continued using CPAP had fewer depressive symptoms (t [19]=2.45, p=0.02) and better adherence (t [19]=2.32, p=0.03) during the trial.


CONCLUSIONS
Patients with AD with obstructive sleep apnea can tolerate CPAP. Adherence and long-term use may be more difficult among those patients with more depressive symptoms.
Department of Psychiatry, University of California, San Diego, San Diego, CA, and Veterans Affairs San Diego Health Care System, San Diego, CA 92161, USA.
Liat
L
Ayalon
Sonia
S
Ancoli-Israel
Carl
C
Stepnowsky
Matthew
M
Marler
Barton W
BW
Palmer
Lianqi
L
Liu
Jose S
JS
Loredo
Jody
J
Corey-Bloom
Deborah
D
Greenfield
Jana
J
Cooke
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000544:Alzheimer Disease / Q000453:epidemiology*; D045422:Continuous Positive Airway Pressure / Q000379:methods* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010349:Patient Compliance / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D020181:Sleep Apnea, Obstructive / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000628:therapy*