Reporting of harms associated with CPAP use in randomised controlled trials: a systematic review.
Sleep MedAug 29, 2026 (epub)
Clinical ResearchPulmonology
Kathryn M Lalonde, Mouaz Saymeh, Tetyana Kendzerska et al.
✦ AI-curated · Sources linked
In 30 seconds
This systematic review evaluated the reporting of adverse events (AEs) associated with CPAP therapy in randomized controlled trials published from 2009 to 2023, involving 8232 participants. The review found significant heterogeneity in how AEs were defined and reported, with many studies failing to report respiratory and device-related harms, limiting the understanding of CPAP's safety profile.
Key findings
- Only 2 studies provided comprehensive adverse event reporting, involving 3942 participants.
- 20 studies did not report respiratory and device-related harms at all.
- 3 studies explicitly reported no adverse events among 293 participants.
Why it matters
Understanding the safety profile of CPAP therapy is crucial for clinicians to effectively counsel patients on potential risks and benefits, especially in light of recent concerns regarding device safety.