Which parameter is crucial for determining the effectiveness of CPAP therapy during titration?

The effectiveness of Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP) therapy during titration is primarily assessed through the stabilization of oxygen saturation levels. This is because adequate CPAP titration aims to ensure that the airway remains open throughout sleep, thereby preventing apneas and hypopneas that could lead to drops in blood oxygen levels. Monitoring oxygen saturation provides direct evidence of the therapy's effectiveness, as stable or improved oxygen saturation indicates that the treatment is successfully maintaining airway patency and preventing oxygen desaturation events.

While factors such as patient comfort and reduction of snoring are also important in a comprehensive evaluation of CPAP therapy, they are not direct indicators of the therapy's physiological effectiveness. Likewise, merely eliminating apneas without considering the overall impact on oxygen saturation may not reflect the true effectiveness of the treatment. Thus, oxygen saturation stabilization serves as a critical parameter in evaluating and guiding CPAP titration for patients with sleep apnea.