Treatment of Obstructive Sleep Apnea: Choosing the Best Positive Airway Pressure Device

Abstract

Positive airway pressure (PAP) remains primary therapy for most patients with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). CPAP, APAP, and BPAP are all reasonable therapies that can be used for patients with uncomplicated OSA across the spectrum of disease severity. BPAP should be considered for patients who are nonadherent to CPAP or APAP therapy because of pressure intolerance. Several additional factors should be considered when choosing the type of PAP device for a given patient, including associated symptoms and comorbid medical problems, cost, access to online data management and patient portals, and the portability for the device for patients who travel frequently.

Keywords: Adherence; AutoBPAP; AutoPAP (APAP); Bilevel PAP (BPAP); CPAP; Expiratory pressure relief; Humidification.