Ethnic differences in continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) adherence in veterans with and without psychiatric
Melanie K Means1, Christi S Ulmer, Jack D Edinger
1Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Durham, NC 27705, USA. melanie.means@va.gov
Abstract:
Continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) is a safe, effective treatment for sleep apnea, yet adherence is notoriously problematic. Vulnerable populations that may be at increased risk of sleep apnea include African Americans (AAs) and individuals with psychiatric disorders, yet little is known about whether such individuals are at increased risk of CPAP non-adherence. This study examined rates of CPAP adherence in a large sample of AA and Caucasian American (CA) military veterans with and without comorbid mental health disorders. AAs used CPAP less than CAs throughout the first 3 months of treatment. AAs with mental health diagnoses showed the lowest CPAP adherence; additional research is needed to identify factors that may be increasing the risk for CPAP non-adherence in these individuals.
Related Concept Videos
Mechanical Ventilation III: Noninvasive Ventilation
Noninvasive Positive-Pressure Ventilation (NIPPV)
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease-IV: Assessement and Diagnostic Studies
Medical History
Mechanical Ventilation I: Indication and Settings
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease
Smoking is a primary risk factor for COPD, with over 80% of patients having a history of it. Patients typically experience progressive dyspnea or labored breathing, frequent coughing, and recurrent pulmonary infections. Many eventually succumb to respiratory failure, characterized by...
Ventilatory Modes
There are three ventilatory modes: full support, partial support, and spontaneous. These are described below.
Full Support Modes
Full support modes include controlled mechanical ventilation, continuous mandatory...
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease IV: Clinical Manifestations

