Results of TAS Poll #9: CPAP for Women only

Survey Comments:

The goal of a sleep lab is to achieve a valid sleep study. Do women have unique needs that can be addressed to improve the PSG experience during the performance of the study as well as during the initiating of CPAP therapy? Do women have special needs in regard to mask choices and fit? Do women have different social issues related to CPAP use? Are women more often misdiagnosed?

Please take this poll only if you are a woman diagnosed with sleep apnea and using CPAP therapy.

1) My age at diagnosis:
Total Responses	100%
Under 18	0.41%
18 - 24	2.03%
25 - 34	6.91%
35 - 44	15.45%
45 - 54	44.31%
55 - 64	22.36%
65 or over	8.54%
2) My age now:
Total Responses	100%
Under 18	0.00%
18 - 24	0.81%
25 - 34	4.88%
35 - 44	11.38%
45 - 54	34.55%
55 - 64	36.99%
65 or over	11.38%
3) For the purposes of this poll compliance is defined as consistent use of cpap every night all night. Do not include the time of your adjustment period getting used to cpap. I have been compliant with CPAP therapy for:
Total Responses	100%
3-6 months	21.74%
6-12 months	13.91%
1-5 years	45.22%
5 years or more	19.13%
4) During the Polysomnogram (PSG) my sleep tech was:
Total Responses	100%
Male	37.86%
Female	62.14%
5) If your PSG technician was a Male, did you feel at all uncomfortable (please check all that apply)
Total Responses	100%
Not at all	68.87%
Yes, with the "wiring up" or attaching the lead process	9.43%
Yes, knowing that a man was watching me sleep during the procedure	8.49%
Yes, knowing that the male sleep tech might come in to my room during the night	2.83%
Yes, knowing that I was being video taped	3.77%
Yes, when I needed to use the bathroom during the night and the tech had to assist me in disconnecting some of the leads	5.66%
Yes, during the mask fitting for titration	0.94%
6) Should sleep centers try to assign female sleep technologists to female patients?
Total Responses	100%
Yes	45.31%
No	2.04%
It does not matter to me	52.65%
8) When I was diagnosed:
Total Responses	100%
I knew what sleep apnea was	79.76%
I had never heard of sleep apnea	20.24%
9) My sleep apnea symptoms were (please check all that apply)
Total Responses	100%
Snoring	19.37%
Excessive daytime sleepiness	20.02%
Migraines	5.77%
Memory loss	9.50%
Inability to concentrate	14.80%
Depression and moodiness	12.66%
Diabetes	1.58%
Hypertension	7.54%
Unexplained weight gain	8.75%
10) I was diagnosed:
Total Responses	100%
Pre menopause	37.60%
During menopause	20.66%
Post menopause	41.74%
11) I believe my OSA condition was overlooked or misdiagnosed
Total Responses	100%
Yes	57.26%
No	42.74%
12) If you answered No, skip the next 3 questions
No Response Choices Available
13) I believe I was misdiagnosed because symptoms were not recognized as OSA by (check all that apply)
Total Responses	100%
Myself	37.02%
Primary care physician	43.51%
OBGYN	6.87%
Cardiologist	4.96%
Ear Nose and Throat specialist	7.63%
14) It seems to be common in women to have their obstructive sleep apnea overlooked by physicians. Before your OSA was finally diagnosed, which of the following were prescribed or suggested by your physicians: (check all that apply)
Total Responses	100%
N/A	3.65%
Weight loss	25.84%
Anti depressants	27.96%
Sedative sleep medications	18.54%
Psychological referral	14.59%
MRI - CT scans	6.99%
Surgery	2.43%
15) I was diagnosed before OSA with:
Total Responses	100%
Depression	79.28%
Bipolar	5.41%
Hormonal problems	15.32%
16) I currently use:
Total Responses	100%
CPAP	71.02%
AUTOCPAP	15.92%
BILEVEL	8.57%
AUTOBILEVEL	2.86%
Dental appliance/device with one of the above devices	1.22%
Dental appliance/device as my only treatment	0.41%
17) Physicians have suggested the following surgeries or procedures for my OSA treatment: (check all that apply)
Total Responses	100%
UPPP	17.07%
Jaw advancement	12.20%
Tonsil and or adenoid removal	21.95%
Nasal surgeries	31.71%
Pillar Procedure	4.88%
Radiofrequency Procedure	12.20%
18) Physicians have suggested that some surgeries will cure my sleep apnea:
Total Responses	100%
Yes	10.04%
No	89.96%
19) I have had a deviated septum repaired:
Total Responses	100%
N/A	74.19%
Before OSA diagnosis	7.37%
After OSA diagnosis	1.84%
I choose not to have my deviated septum repaired	16.59%
20) I have had my tonsils and or adenoids removed
Total Responses	100%
N/A	50.00%
Before OSA diagnosis	37.61%
After OSA diagnosis	1.71%
I choose not to have my tonsils/adenoids removed	10.68%
21) I am willing to try any surgery to avoid using CPAP
Total Responses	100%
Yes	15.97%
No	84.03%
22) I am aware that most OSA surgeries have a poor success rate for curing OSA
Total Responses	100%
Yes	82.50%
No	17.50%
23) I plan on using CPAP:
Total Responses	100%
For the rest of my life	66.94%
Until I lose weight which I believe will cure me	22.73%
Until a pill is found that will cure OSA	10.33%
24) CPAP
Total Responses	100%
I hate it but it works	30.33%
I love it because it works	12.30%
I do not mind using it because it works	46.72%
Does not work for me and I don't think it ever will	10.66%
25) Do you feel women have special needs in mask choice and fit?
Total Responses	100%
Yes	84.08%
No	15.92%
26) I use CPAP with:
Total Responses	100%
Traditional nasal mask	29.34%
Nasal pillow masks	48.35%
Full face mask	22.31%
Dental appliance	0.00%
27) I am happy with my current mask:
Total Responses	100%
Yes	61.00%
No	39.00%
28) If you have small facial features do you find mask choices very limited?
Total Responses	100%
Yes	66.67%
No	33.33%
29) I have mask fit problems due to my:
Total Responses	100%
Narrow nose bridge	13.23%
Short nose	10.05%
Wide nose	2.12%
Short face	10.05%
Hair	10.05%
Head size	14.29%
Forehead	0.53%
Upper lip size	6.88%
I have no mask fit problems	32.80%
30) Regarding mask headgear: (check all that apply)
Total Responses	100%
I have no problem with any mask headgear I have used	20.49%
I find headgear too large for my small or medium/standard size mask	27.08%
Although not allergic, I find they irritate my skin or scalp	18.75%
I have hair issues, they pull my hair or interfere with my hair style	33.68%
31) Are you aware that there are "cap" type headgear available that are more "hair friendly"?
Total Responses	100%
Yes	18.93%
No	81.07%
32) Are you aware that some masks come in sizes petite and extra small in addition to small, medium, large and extra large?
Total Responses	100%
Yes	56.61%
No	43.39%
33) Do you wish manufacturers would be more considerate of women's needs in mask development?
Total Responses	100%
Yes	90.95%
No	9.05%
35) When I sleep ( check all that apply)
Total Responses	100%
I wear makeup	3.50%
I remove all makeup and use no topical solutions on my facial skin	51.36%
Sometimes I forget to remove my makeup	19.46%
I wear night time facial moisturizers or creams	25.68%
36) I know that mask cushions may not seal best when I am wearing makeup or facial moisturizers, oils or creams
Total Responses	100%
Yes	81.09%
No	18.91%
37) I know that mask cushions will wear out quicker if I wear makeup or facial moisturizers, oils or creams
Total Responses	100%
Yes	75.83%
No	24.17%
38) Do you feel using CPAP and wearing a mask is embarrassing or makes you feel less attractive?
Total Responses	100%
Yes	47.76%
Yes at first, but I am now over it	28.98%
No	23.27%
39) Since CPAP compliance I have noticed an increase in libido
Total Responses	100%
Yes	19.03%
No	80.97%
40) I am single and using CPAP has negatively impacted my social life
Total Responses	100%
Yes	24.67%
No	75.33%
41) I am single and keep my apnea condition a secret from anyone I might be dating
Total Responses	100%
Yes	21.48%
No	78.52%
42) I am married and CPAP use has:
Total Responses	100%
Improved my relationship with my husband	69.75%
Worsened my relationship with my husband	30.25%
43) The following have noticed positive improvements since CPAP compliance: (check all that apply)
Total Responses	100%
My husband	35.88%
My significant other	5.88%
My children	13.53%
My employer	2.35%
My co workers	4.12%
My other family members	16.47%
My physicians	21.76%
44) I am noticeably more productive on the job (in the home or outside job)
Total Responses	100%
Yes	65.75%
No	34.25%
45) Having others notice and comment on positive changes in me has helped me accept my cpap therapy and encourages me to continue use.
Total Responses	100%
N/A	52.63%
Yes	35.09%
No	12.28%
46) My self confidence has improved since CPAP compliance
Total Responses	100%
Yes	41.74%
No	58.26%
47) In addition to sleep apnea, I also have the following sleep disorders: (check all that apply)
Total Responses	100%
Restless Legs Syndrome	25.96%
Periodic Limb Movement Syndrome	14.90%
Narcolepsy	9.13%
SAD - Seasonal Affective Disorder	16.35%
NES Nocturnal Eating Syndrome	3.37%
Sleep walking/Sleep talking	8.65%
Bruxism	21.63%
48) In addition to my sleep disorders, I also have: ( check all that apply)
Total Responses	100%
Fibromyalgia	8.55%
Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD)	17.32%
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD)	2.41%
Emphysema	0.00%
Pulmonary Hypertension	5.48%
Asthma	12.50%
Sinusitis	18.20%
Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS)	9.43%
Peripheral Vascular Disease (PVD)	1.10%
Diabetes	7.24%
Thyroid condition	13.16%
Hormonal Conditions	4.61%

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