title: Nurse-led intensive interventions improve adherence to continuous positive airway pressure therapy and quality of life in obstructive sleep apnea patients.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) is widely recommended for the treatment of sleep apnea/hypopnea syndrome (SAHS), but its usage by patients is very low. The aim of this study was to assess intensive educational programs and nursing support for the improvement of CPAP use and outcomes in SAHS patients.
  
  
  METHODS
  Eighty new SAHS patients were randomized to receive nurse-led intensive interventions or usual support at hospital and home. The main outcome measure was CPAP use; changes in sleeping, symptoms, mood, and quality of life were also assessed after 12 months of treatment.
  
  
  RESULTS
  All outcome measures were improved after treatment in both groups. However, patients receiving intensive support with significantly higher CPAP use (higher daily CPAP usage by 2.2 hours/day) had greater improvements in SAHS symptoms and mood (P<0.05). The intervention group further showed an improvement in the Short Form-36 domains of mental and physical health (P<0.05).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The CPAP usage and quality of life can be significantly improved by nurse-led intensive program in obstructive sleep apnea patients.
authors.affiliation: Hospital of Stomatology, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, People's Republic of China.
authors.forename: Xiaofen
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.affiliation: Hospital of Stomatology, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, People's Republic of China.
authors.forename: Weiting
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.affiliation: People Hospital of Tiantai, Taizhou, People's Republic of China.
authors.forename: Weijie
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Hu
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthodontics, Hospital of Stomatology, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, People's Republic of China.
authors.forename: Kui
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Huang
authors.affiliation: The Second Affiliated Hospital Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, People's Republic of China.
authors.forename: Jing
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Huang
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthodontics, Hospital of Stomatology, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, People's Republic of China.
authors.forename: Yu
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Zhou
keywords: CPAP; SAHS; compliance; quality of life