To compare polysomnographic data and compliance in sleep apnea patients receiving continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) and pressure-relief CPAP (PRCPAP) [C-flex; Respironics; Murrysville, PA] as first treatment in the sleep laboratory and subsequently at home.A prospective, randomized, crossover design was used in the sleep laboratory, and a prospective randomized design was used at home.Data were collected from 52 sleep apnea patients for whom CPAP was used for the first time.Treatment with constant CPAP and PRCPAP.Patients with a first-time diagnosis of obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS) underwent conventional CPAP titration. Thereafter, polysomnography was performed at the titrated pressure using both the fixed CPAP pressure mode and the PRCPAP mode in a randomized crossover approach. The patients were then discharged home for 7 weeks of treatment with the last-applied treatment mode, and compliance data were established at the end of that time. The average apnea-hypopnea index was 53.3/h in the "diagnostic night," 5.8/h with CPAP, and 7.0/h with PRCPAP. The native arousal index was 35.2/h, 12.6/h with CPAP, and 12.9/h with PRCPAP (not significant [NS]). The central apnea index was 0.7/h with CPAP and 1.2/h with PRCPAP (p 9 cm H(2)O or experiencing dry mouth with CPAP.