An increasing number of patients needs C-Pap due to sleep apnoea. The mask can cause pressure discomfort and allergies. The extent of the problem has not been studied.
Aim

1: How many people experience pressure discomfort from the CPAP mask. 2: How best to prevent pressure discomfort

Method

1: Patients just started C-Pap treatment in the period 22/07-07/10/2019 who contacted the department regarding pressure sores were registered.
2: From October 2019-April 2020 all patients were offered to participate in the project when starting CPAP. 100 sealed envelopes were numbered in random order (25 for each of the 3 types of products and 25 as a control).
The participants should contact the outpatient clinic if they experience discomfort. Products were used for 4 weeks. After treatment the bridge of the nose was checked for pressure marks  The patients indicate on a VAS scale how much pressure discomfort the experienced, how easy it is to use the prevention, durability and stability. In addition and how much they have used the pressure relief.

Results

1: A total of 23 patients out of 206 experienced: Pressure trace 15, Pressure ulcers 6, Allergy 2.

2: We expected to include 100 patients in 2, but due to Covid-19 87 were included, 85 completed the study. 

17% who used some of the preventive products experienced pressure discomfort.
In the control group 29% experienced pressure discomfort.

It was the product that most patients preferred, that best prevented pressure ulcers. 40% used this for up to 30 days, the other two products were only used respectively 25% and 29%. 

Conclusion

Prevention helps. The use of prevention depends on its usefulness.