Obstructive sleep apnea and CPAP: Effects on health related quality of life and strategies for increasing adherence to therapy|Apnee ostruttive e CPAP: Effetti sulla qualità di vita e strategie per migliorare l'aderenza alla terapia

OSA (Obstructive Sleep Apnea) patients may exhibit several typical symptoms with negative impact on mood and perceived Health Related Quality of Life (HRQoL). CPAP (Continuous Positive Airway Pressure) therapy reduces comorbidities and symptoms, and improves HRQoL. However its effectiveness is determined by adherence to treatment. Patients' experiences and perceptions about their own health and OSA impact, the perceived effectiveness of treatment and the first feeling with CPAP are predictors of subsequent adherence to the treatment. CPAP adherence is a multifactorial phenomenon that can be improved by several strategies to support patients, as educational and informative paths on OSA consequences and CPAP benefits, identification of appropriate mask and explanation about the proper use, provide timely solutions to the possible inconvenience caused by therapy. These strategies are most effective if applied during the initial stages of treatment. For this purpose, telemedicine can be an effective strategy to improve adherence by monitoring patients since the beginning of treatment and by acting even remotely in case of any critical issues. Moreover, a greater attention on family and social resources could represent a significant area to program more individualized and effective supportive strategies to enhance adherence to CPAP.