BENEFÍCIOS DO CPAP (CONTINUOUS POSITIVE AIRWAY PRESSURE) NA APNEIA OBSTRUTIVA DO SONO

Introduction: Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is a respiratory disorder affecting approximately 32% of the adult population, with higher prevalence in men over 40 years old. This condition can impair quality of life and is associated with cardiovascular, metabolic, and cognitive complications, such as Alzheimer’s disease. Objective: To analyze, through a literature review, the available evidence regarding the effectiveness and limitations of Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP) in the treatment of obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSA). Materials and Methods: A comprehensive literature review was conducted including men and women aged 16 to 72 years. Searches were performed in the PubMed, CINAHL, LILACS, SciELO, and Google Scholar databases, considering publications in Portuguese and English from the last 20 years. Articles with different study designs were included, such as reviews, case studies, retrospective and prospective research, descriptive studies, and chart analyses. Results: The selected studies indicated that CPAP contributes to reducing the apnea hypopnea index (AHI), improving sleep quality, and decreasing daytime sleepiness in some patients. Beneficial effects were also observed in reducing cardiovascular risk and the incidence of occupational and traffic accidents. However, some studies reported adherence difficulties related to discomfort during device use and socioeconomic factors. Conclusion: The literature suggests that CPAP can provide significant benefits in managing OSA and improving patients’ quality of life. Nevertheless, its effectiveness is directly linked to treatment adherence, which requires strategies for monitoring and professional support, as well as consideration of potential limitations and barriers to use.