Results of TAS Poll #10: CPAP for Men

Survey Comments:

The goal of a sleep lab is to achieve a valid sleep study. Do men 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 men have special needs in regard to mask choices and fit? Do men have different social issues related to CPAP use? Please take this poll only if you are a man diagnosed with sleep apnea and using CPAP therapy.

1) My age at diagnosis:
Total Responses	100%
under 18	0.85%
18 - 24	1.69%
25 - 34	8.47%
35 - 44	30.51%
45 - 54	32.20%
55 - 65	22.88%
over 65	3.39%
2) My age now:
Total Responses	100%
under 18	0.00%
18 - 24	0.85%
25 - 34	5.08%
35 - 44	22.03%
45 - 54	25.42%
55 - 65	34.75%
over 65	11.86%
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	15.93%
6-12 months	12.39%
1-5 years	17.70%
1-5 years	18.58%
5 years or more	35.40%
4) During the Polysomnogram (PSG) my sleep tech was:
Total Responses	100%
Male	37.82%
Female	62.18%
5) If your PSG technician was a Female, did you feel at all uncomfortable?
Total Responses	100%
Yes	4.59%
No	66.06%
N/A	29.36%
6) If your PSG technician was a male, did you feel at all uncomfortable?
Total Responses	100%
Yes	1.98%
No	47.52%
N/A	50.50%
7) Would you have preferred to be given a choice of a male or female PSG technician?
Total Responses	100%
Yes	10.08%
No	10.92%
It does not matter to me	78.99%
9) When I was diagnosed:
Total Responses	100%
I knew what sleep apnea was	70.59%
I had never heard of sleep apnea	29.41%
10) My sleep apnea symptoms were:
Total Responses	100%
Snoring	21.97%
Excessive daytime sleepiness	21.97%
Migraines	3.59%
Memory loss	8.30%
Inability to concentrate	13.90%
Depression and moodiness	10.99%
Gastro Esophageal Reflux Disease (GERD)	6.73%
Hypertension	7.40%
Unexplained weight gain	5.16%
11) I believe my OSA condition was overlooked or misdiagnosed
Total Responses	100%
Yes	37.93%
No	62.07%
12) If you answered no to the last question, skip the next 3 questions
No Response Choices Available
13) I believe I was misdiagnosed because symptoms were not recognized as OSA by
Total Responses	100%
myself	33.73%
Primary Care Physician	44.58%
Cardiologist	4.82%
Ear Nose and Throat specialist	3.61%
other	13.25%
14) During pre-diagnosis years, as you presented to your doctor with OSA symptoms and looking for answers, various physicians prescribed or suggested
Total Responses	100%
Weight loss	22.37%
Anti depressants	27.63%
Sedative sleep medications	11.84%
Psychological referral	13.16%
MRI - CT scans	5.26%
Surgery	1.32%
N/A	18.42%
15) Prior to my OSA diagnosis, I was diagnosed with:
Total Responses	100%
Depression	27.91%
BiPolar	4.65%
A.D.H.D.	0.00%
Hypertension	25.58%
Diabetes	11.63%
Cardiac disease or disorder	11.63%
other	18.60%
16) I currently use:
Total Responses	100%
CPAP	66.10%
AUTOCPAP	17.80%
BILEVEL	7.63%
AUTOBILEVEL	5.93%
Dental appliance/device with one of the above devices	2.54%
Dental appliance/device as my only treatment	0.00%
17) Physicians have suggested the following surgeries or procedures for my OSA treatment:
Total Responses	100%
UPPP	37.50%
Jaw advancement	0.00%
Tonsil and or adenoid removal	29.17%
Nasal surgeries	25.00%
Pillar Procedure	0.00%
Radiofrequency Procedure	8.33%
18) Physicians have suggested that some surgeries will cure my sleep apnea:
Total Responses	100%
Yes	12.96%
No	87.04%
19) I have had a deviated septum repaired:
Total Responses	100%
N/A	77.19%
Before OSA diagnosis	9.65%
After OSA diagnosis	4.39%
I choose not to have my deviated septum repaired	8.77%
20) I have had my tonsils and or adenoids removed
Total Responses	100%
N/A	48.28%
Before OSA diagnosis	41.38%
After OSA diagnosis	2.59%
I choose not to have my tonsils/adenoids removed	7.76%
21) I am willing to try any surgery to avoid using CPAP
Total Responses	100%
Yes	24.35%
No	75.65%
22) I am aware that most OSA surgeries have a poor success rate for curing OSA
Total Responses	100%
Yes	73.91%
No	26.09%
23) I have discussed with my doctor, the physiological reasons why I have OSA
Total Responses	100%
Yes	50.43%
No	49.57%
24) I plan on using CPAP
Total Responses	100%
For the rest of my life	65.22%
Until I lose weight which I believe will cure me	23.48%
Until a pill is found that will cure OSA	7.83%
Until I have a surgery that will cure OSA	3.48%
25) CPAP
Total Responses	100%
I hate it but it works	25.22%
I love it because it works	21.74%
I do not mind using it because it works	45.22%
Does not work for me and I don't think it ever will	7.83%
26) Do you feel men have special needs in mask choice and fit?
Total Responses	100%
Yes	65.52%
No	34.48%
27) I use CPAP with:
Total Responses	100%
Traditional nasal mask	34.19%
Nasal pillow masks	34.19%
Full face mask	30.77%
Dental appliance	0.85%
28) I am happy with my current mask:
Total Responses	100%
Yes	65.22%
No	34.78%
29) I have mask fit problems due to my:
Total Responses	100%
Short nose	4.76%
Wide nose	3.17%
Upper lip size	0.00%
Short face	1.59%
Hair	2.38%
Baldness	4.76%
Head size	10.32%
Forehead	2.38%
Beard	16.67%
Mustache	20.63%
Side Burns	0.79%
I have no mask fit problems	32.54%
30) Regarding mask headgear:
Total Responses	100%
I have no problem with any mask headgear I have used	47.32%
The "one size fits all" head gear does not fit me	25.89%
Although not allergic, I find they irritate my skin or scalp	12.50%
I have hair issues, they pull my hair or interfere with my hair style	6.25%
Because I am bald, headgear is a problem	8.04%
31) Are you aware that there are "cap" type headgear available that are more hair friendly?
Total Responses	100%
yes	32.14%
No	67.86%
33) Do you feel using CPAP and wearing a mask is embarrassing or makes you feel less attractive?
Total Responses	100%
Yes	24.79%
Yes at first, but I am now over it	35.04%
No	40.17%
34) Since CPAP compliance I have noticed an increase in libido
Total Responses	100%
Yes	34.82%
No	65.18%
35) I am single and using CPAP has negatively impacted my social life
Total Responses	100%
Yes	7.41%
No	13.89%
N/A	78.70%
36) I am single and keep my apnea condition a secret from anyone I might be dating
Total Responses	100%
Yes	8.11%
No	13.51%
N/A	78.38%
37) I am married and CPAP has:
Total Responses	100%
Negatively impacted my relationship with my wife	9.17%
Positively impacted my relationship with my wife	33.03%
Changed nothing, it's same old, same old	33.03%
N/A	24.77%
38) The following have noticed positive improvements since CPAP compliance:
Total Responses	100%
My wife	32.84%
My significant other	4.48%
My children	10.45%
My employer	8.96%
My co workers	11.44%
My other family members	15.42%
My physicians	16.42%
39) I am noticeably more productive on the job (in the home or outside job)
Total Responses	100%
Yes	62.83%
No	37.17%
40) 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%
Yes	51.35%
No	48.65%
41) In addition to sleep apnea, I also have:
Total Responses	100%
Restless Legs Syndrome	13.37%
Periodic Limb Movement Syndrome	4.07%
Narcolepsy	5.23%
Fibromyalgia	1.74%
SAD - seasonal affective disorder	3.49%
NES Nocturnal Eating Syndrome	0.00%
Sleep walking/Sleep talking	3.49%
Bruxism	2.91%
Gastro Esophageal Reflux Disease (GERD)	15.12%
Peripheral Vascular Disease	0.58%
Hypertension	23.84%
Diabetes	13.37%
Thyroid condition	3.49%
Heart condition	9.30%

Also, If you haven't registered to become a member of Talk About Sleep, please do so!