Study of the Nocebo Effect in Patients With Obstructive Sleep Apnea Syndrome and Treatment With Continuous Positive Airway Pressure

Background: The presence of side effects in the first few weeks of treatment with CPAP is common. However, it has never been evaluated whether side effects could be related to the presence of the nocebo effect in this population.

Main objective: To assess whether the information provided by health care professionals may influence the number of reported adverse events and compliance in patients with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) in treatment with CPAP.

Methodology: Unicentric randomized clinical trial that will include 80 patients over 18 years of age with a recent diagnosis of OSA and indication for treatment with CPAP. Participants will be recruited consecutively and will be randomly assigned in a 1: 1 ratio to receive usual information or more detailed information in possible adverse effects of treatment during the CPAP adaptation visit. Follow-up will be performed at 1 month and 3 months after starting CPAP treatment. Side effects and treatment compliance in each of the groups will be blindly assessed. Descriptive statistics and differences in the number of side effects and hours of compliance between the two groups will be performed.