title: Patient and Partner Experiences With Obstructive Sleep Apnea and CPAP Treatment: A Qualitative Analysis.
abstract: Few studies have investigated factors associated with continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) treatment for sleep apnea from the patients' and their partners' perspective. This qualitative research study explored patients' and partners' experiences of CPAP and facilitators and barriers to CPAP use, and elicited suggestions for a first-time CPAP user program. Data from 27 participants were collected via four sleep apnea patient and four partner focus groups. Qualitative content analysis identified five themes: knowledge of sleep apnea, effects of sleep apnea, effects of CPAP, barriers and facilitators of CPAP, and ideas for a new user support program. Patients and partners emphasized the importance of partner involvement in the early CPAP treatment period. These data suggest consideration of a couple-oriented approach to improving CPAP adherence.
authors.affiliation: a School of Nursing , University of Pittsburgh.
authors.forename: Faith S
authors.initials: FS
authors.lastname: Luyster
authors.affiliation: a School of Nursing , University of Pittsburgh.
authors.forename: Jacqueline
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Dunbar-Jacob
authors.affiliation: b Department of Medicine National Jewish Health , Denver.
authors.forename: Mark S
authors.initials: MS
authors.lastname: Aloia
authors.affiliation: c Department of Human Development and Family Studies , Pennsylvania State University.
authors.forename: Lynn M
authors.initials: LM
authors.lastname: Martire
authors.affiliation: d Department of Psychiatry, School of Medicine , University of Pittsburgh.
authors.forename: Daniel J
authors.initials: DJ
authors.lastname: Buysse
authors.affiliation: e Divison of Pulmonary, Allergy, and Critical Care , University of Pittsburgh.
authors.forename: Patrick J
authors.initials: PJ
authors.lastname: Strollo
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D045422:Continuous Positive Airway Pressure / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D017144:Focus Groups; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010349:Patient Compliance / Q000523:psychology*; D036301:Qualitative Research; D012747:Sexual Partners / Q000523:psychology; D020181:Sleep Apnea, Obstructive / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy*; D012944:Social Support; D018454:Spouses / Q000523:psychology*; D055815:Young Adult