NEW CPAP ADHERENCE CRITERIA MAY YIELD NEGATIVE EFFECTS

NEW CPAP ADHERENCE CRITERIA MAY YIELD NEGATIVE EFFECTS
The application of new local coverage determination (LCD) adherence criterion for continued reimbursement of continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) may have potential negative effects on patients with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) and their clinical care. Researchers from National Jewish Health in Denver, Colorado, retrospectively examined a database of 150 patients who received neuropsychological testing prior to CPAP treatment and 3 to 6 months posttreatment. Patients were categorized using the new LCD criteria, and comparisons were made between adherent and nonadherent groups on neuropsychological variables. Fifty-five patients (37 percent) failed to meet the new criterion. Of the 63 patients who did not receive any special adherence intervention, 29 (46 percent) met the new criterion. Researchers conclude that controlled trials are needed to better understand the effect of the new guidelines on adherence and treatment outcomes. This article is published in the October issue of CHEST, the peer-reviewed journal of the American College of Chest Physicians: CHEST 2010; 138(4):875–879.