It is clinically proven, on more than one occasion, that humidification improves compliance and helps CPAP users avoid suffering from a dry nose, mouth and throat. This is even more true for those in, or often visiting dry climate countries but even in the UK and Europe, CPAP users report great benefits from a humidifier added to their setup.
For mouth breathers like those with a full face or oral mask, heated humidification is a must-have feature. It is normally the hairs in the nasal airway conditioning the air with heat and humidity before entering the lungs. Someone who breathes through their mouth misses out on this conditioning and is likely to suffer from an uncomfortable dryness without a humidifier.
"In our study, we found that patients who received heated humidification when nasal CPAP was initiated had significantly fewer complaints of dry nose or dry mouth and throat than patients who did not receive heated humidification at treatment initiation." Mador et al in the Chest Journal
"Studies have shown that heated humidification reduces these adverse effects and improves patient comfort. Some studies have demonstrated improved compliance." Rasmus & Farney in RT Magazine
"Humidification has a significant impact on patients' acceptance of CPAP within the first 3 months of therapy. Therefore, prescribing heated humidification with the initiation of CPAP therapy might lower the incidence of therapy abandonment."
Kline & Carlson in Sleep Vol 22
"From the initial 82 patients, 46 (56%) developed nasal symptoms. Of these, 23 found their symptoms resolved after introducing cold pass-over humidity to the system. However, for the remianing 23 it was necessary to use heated humidification."
Rakotonanahary et al in Chest Vol 119
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