Objective and Subjective Health Parameters and Relation to CPAP Adherence in Pediatric Obstructive Sleep Apnea

Abstract

Little is known regarding adherence-related factors for children prescribed continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). Parent and child health-related perceptions may contribute to adherence. This study investigated objective and subjective OSA-related health parameters for 51 youth ages 8–17 with OSA. More than half were non-adherent to CPAP, and three-fourths were overweight or obese. While objective disease severity did not differ between groups, youth who were non-adherent had more subjective symptoms (parent-reported daytime sleepiness and sleep duration problems; youth-reported daytime problem behaviors). Further research is needed to develop interventions to promote CPAP adherence for children with OSA.