Changes in feeling sleepy before and after nasal CPAP treatment in obstructive sleep apnea

A significant response shift in Epworth Sleepiness Scale scores was observed after nCPAP treatment in patients with obstructive sleep apnea-hypopnea syndrome.

• Pre-ESS scores averaged 8.5, while Response Shift-Pre-ESS scores averaged 11.1, indicating a notable change in perceived sleepiness (P < .002).
• Many patients did not recognize the severity of their sleepiness before treatment until after receiving nCPAP.
• Eight patients had pretreatment scores of 11 or higher, and 18 had posttreatment scores of 11 or higher on the Response Shift-Pre-ESS.
• The control group did not show significant changes in ESS scores from the first to the second testing before receiving nCPAP (P = .95).
• Response shifts may influence understanding of individual differences in susceptibility to daytime sleepiness.

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