6-month CPAP-treatment in a young male patient with severe obstructive sleep apnoea syndrome - a case study from the couple's perspective.
BACKGROUND
Obstructive sleep apnoea syndrome (OSAS) is independently associated with an increased risk for hypertension and cardiovascular disease. Continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) can reduce mortality and morbidity, but low compliance rates are seen.


OBJECTIVE
To explore and describe the experiences of CPAP-treatment in a young male patient with severe OSAS during a 6-month period from the couple's perspective. METHODS AND THE CASE: A single case study with a phenomenographic approach was employed. Diagnostic procedures of OSAS and initiation of treatment with Auto-CPAP, humidifier and a nasal mask were performed during 4 visits. Conceptions were collected at 4 different occasions during the 6-month period (before, and 2 weeks, 3 months, and 6 months after treatment initiation) by means of interviews with a 33-year old male patient and his female partner.


RESULTS
Totally 17 different structural aspects were found to fluctuate during the 6-month period in relation to; influence of stressors, social reactions and adaptation to increase compliance.


CONCLUSIONS
An increased knowledge about the influence of stressors, the social reactions, and the adaptation can help healthcare personnel to identify and better understand concerns of other patients and spouses during different time phases of the initial 6-month period of CPAP-treatment.
Broström
Anders
A
Department of Medicine and Care, Faculty of Health Sciences, Linköping University, Linköping, Sweden. andbr@imv.liu.se
Johansson
Peter
P
Albers
Jan
J
Wiberg
Jan
J
Svanborg
Eva
E
Fridlund
Bengt
B
D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000328:Adult; D001294:Attitude to Health; D045422:Continuous Positive Airway Pressure / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000523:psychology*; D017281:Cost of Illness; D005239:Fear; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D005639:Frustration; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D015404:Nursing Methodology Research; D009767:Obesity, Morbid / Q000150:complications; D036301:Qualitative Research; D011788:Quality of Life / Q000523:psychology; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D020181:Sleep Apnea, Obstructive / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000523:psychology*; D012913:Snoring / Q000209:etiology / Q000523:psychology; D012919:Social Behavior; D018454:Spouses / Q000523:psychology*; D013315:Stress, Psychological / Q000209:etiology / Q000523:psychology; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013548:Sweden; D016896:Treatment Outcome