The authors of the Positive Airway Pressure Titration Task Force of the American Academy of Sleep Medicine (AASM) thank Drs. Karin Johnson and Douglas Johnson for their review1 of the AASM’s recently published clinical guidelines paper in the Journal of Clinical Sleep Medicine.2
The task force members agree with Drs. Johnson and Johnson that intolerance of high PAP levels may be addressed more economically with pressure waveform modification, rather than utilizing a more expensive BPAP device. However, BPAP is indicated for this specific problem, and pressure waveform modification technologies, though promising, have limited published evidence for patient acceptance and utilization at this point.
The task force very much appreciates the opportunity to respond to these comments and we welcome further commentary.
DISCLOSURE STATEMENT
The authors have indicated no financial conflicts of interest.
REFERENCES
- 1.Johnson K, Johnson D. Letter to the Editor: In reference to Clinical Guidelines for the Manual Titration of Positive Airway Pressure in Patients with Obstructive Sleep Apnea. J Clin Sleep Med. 2008;4:610. [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
- 2.Kushida CA, Chediak A, Berry RB, et al. Clinical guidelines for the manual titration of positive airway pressure in patients with obstructive sleep apnea. J Clin Sleep Med. 2008;4:157–171. [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]