[Nasal CPAP--treatment of choice in obstructive sleep apnea]

There is no doubt about the effectiveness of nasal-CPAP (continuous positive airway pressure) in treatment on obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS), however there has been doubts about the tolerance and compliance rate. Seventy-two (88 percent) out of 82 patients evaluated for CPAP tolerated and accepted treatment for home use. Five patients did not tolerate CPAP at all, of them four were former operated with Uvulopalatopharyngoplasty. Five patients refused home CPAP therapy. According to a questionnaire 42 (91 percent) out of 46 patients with home CPAP therapy used their CPAP five to seven nights/week. We suggest CPAP as the treatment of choice at AHI greater than 20, since the treatment is highly effective and well tolerated by the patients.