The Importance of Mask Type and Mask Materials in Sleep Apnea Patients

Mask is an important prognostic factor in patient s compliance to positive airways pressure. As there are a lot s of factors that contribute to a good interface choosing the right mask remains a challenge. The aim of this study was to evaluate the importance of mask and mask materials in treatment compliance to positive airway pressure in a sample of Romanian patients hospitalized for sleep study. Other factors that may have influence on the compliance were also evaluated (severity of sleep apnea, the presence of symptoms, comorbidities and the type of device used (CPAP or BiPAP). 107 patients with newly diagnosed sleep apnea were included. They received positive airways pressure treatment with nasal or oronasal mask depending on their own preference and tolerance and they were followed for one year. After one year 70% of 107 patients were still on positive airway pressure treatment (CPAP or BiPAP). There seemed to be no difference between the two masks when looking at the whole group. When analyzing the subgroups, however there seemed to be a preference for the nasal mask in patients who were treated with CPAP and oronasal mask in patients treated with BiPAP, suggesting that the associated conditions (COPD) might play an more important role than the mask itself. The materials did not influence the compliance.