Improvement in quality of life with continuous positive airway pressure outweighs the treatment burden in children with obstructive sleep apnea

Abstract Introduction Continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) for treatment of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) may pose a significant burden on families. We assessed the impact of CPAP for children on quality of life (QOL) and caregiver treatment burden. Methods Prospective cohort study of children commencing outpatient CPAP in a specialist sleep centre 2020−2022. Questionnaires regarding sleep‐related symptoms (PROMIS Pediatric Sleep Disturbance and Sleep‐Related Impairment), QOL (OSA‐18, QI‐Disability), caregiver burden (Caregiver Strain Questionnaire) and overall health impact (Glasgow Children's Benefit Inventory) were completed by caregivers at CPAP commencement and 6 weeks later. Results Twenty‐six patients completed follow‐up (7 female; median age 11.4 year, baseline obstructive apnea hypopnea index 10.3/h; 77% overweight or obese, 73% comorbidity other than obesity). OSA‐related QOL (OSA‐18) significantly improved at follow‐up ( p < 0.01), as did child general QOL ( p < 0.001), sleep disturbance ( p < 0.01) and sleep‐related impairment ( p < 0.001). Caregivers mostly rated CPAP as beneficial to their child's health but 19% rated CPAP as harmful or having no effect. Caregiver strain reduced at follow‐up ( p < 0.001) and benefit outweighed inconvenience ( p < 0.0001) in 81%. CPAP adherence was correlated with overall health impact ( r = 0.67, p < 0.01) but not with caregiver rating of inconvenience. Conclusions CPAP resulted in improvements in QOL and sleep‐related symptoms, and reduced caregiver strain. Perceived benefits outweighed the burden of treatment for most but not all families. CPAP adherence was moderately correlated with family‐reported measures of benefit but not related to perceived inconvenience. This study provides reassuring evidence regarding the benefits and impacts of CPAP for children, many of whom already have complex health care needs.