Tracking CPAP Adherence in Obstructive Sleep Apnea Patients Before, During, and After the COVID-19 Lockdown (original) (raw)

Tracking continuous positive airway pressure adherence in obstructive sleep apnea patients before, during, and after the COVID-19 lockdown

Annals of Thoracic Medicine, 2025

BACKGROUND: This study aimed to examine the impact of the COVID-19 lockdown on adherence to continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) therapy among Saudi patients with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). It also sought to assess the influence of demographic variables and comorbidities on CPAP adherence. METHODS: A prospective cohort study was conducted at the University Sleep Disorders Center at King Saud University Medical City. The study included 67 OSA patients who exclusively used CPAP for treatment across three distinct intervals prelockdown, during lockdown, and postlockdown. Adherence to CPAP therapy was objectively measured using “mask-on on-time monitoring” data from the CPAP machines. RESULTS: The study found a significant decrease in the number of days with CPAP usage during the lockdown period, which persisted postlockdown. Approximately half of the patients adhered to CPAP treatment throughout the three study intervals. The decrease in CPAP usage days during lockdown was particularly noticeable among patients younger than 50 and older than 65 years of age. The presence of comorbidities, body mass index, and sex did not significantly influence CPAP treatment adherence. CONCLUSION: The COVID-19 lockdown significantly impacted CPAP treatment adherence among OSA patients, with a decrease in adherence persisting postlockdown. This highlights the need for interventions to support CPAP adherence during challenging times such as a pandemic. Further research is needed to understand the long-term effects of the pandemic on CPAP therapy adherence.

The COVID-19 Lockdown and CPAP Adherence: The More Vulnerable Ones Less Likely to Improve Adherence?

Nature and Science of Sleep

Due to the possible interplay of factors predisposing to severe COVID-19 outcomes and negative health consequences of poorly controlled OSA, adherence to continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) therapy among OSA patients might be crucial during COVID-19 pandemics. Lockdown-related changes in CPAP adherence were investigated in CPAP users willing to participate in this study. Pre-lockdown adherence, age, gender, comorbidities and anxiety were analyzed as predictors of COVID-19 lockdown adherence. Patients and Methods: A cross-sectional study performed at Split Sleep Medicine Center included 101 severe OSA patients (78.2% male). CPAP memory cards were assessed during 6 months of pre-lockdown and 40 days of lockdown (March/April 2020) period. A total of 81 patients in pre-lockdown met good CPAP adherence criteria (≥4 hours/night on 70% nights). Results: CPAP adherence improved during COVID-19 lockdown in the total sample of severe OSA patients. The percentage of adherent nights and CPAP usage hours per night increased during lockdown in good pre-lockdown CPAP adherers (p=0.011 and p=0.001, respectively), women (p=0.003 and p=0.001, respectively) and respondents younger than 58 years (p=0.007 and p<0.001, respectively). Out of 20/101 poor pre-lockdown CPAP adherers, 9 have shifted to good lockdown adherence. When comorbidities, BMI and anxiety were taken into account, older and male respondents were recognized as less likely to improve CPAP usage hours during lockdown (R 2 =9.4%; p=0.032). Conclusion: The lockdown-related CPAP adherence improved in severe OSA patients, with a shift in almost half of poor pre-lockdown adherers towards good lockdown CPAP adherence. Women, younger and good pre-lockdown CPAP adherers were more adherent during lockdown. Despite being vulnerable groups for both OSA and COVID-19, no expected adherence improvements were observed in men and older patients.

Access to CPAP treatment in patients with moderate to severe sleep apnea in a Latin American City

Sleep Science, 2018

Introduction: The most effective treatment for moderate to severe obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) but adherence may be a limiting factor. Most compliance studies often only include patients under CPAP treatment, neglecting the importance of access to treatment. The aim of this study was to evaluate CPAP access and compliance in OSA patients, after CPAP indication and titration. Methods: We included moderate to severe OSA patients, diagnosed by in-lab polysomnography (PSG), with CPAP indication and effective pressure titration. Between 12 to 18 months after treatment was indicated a telephone questionnaire was administered including questions about access to CPAP, reasons of no access, reported adherence and symptoms improvement. Results: A total of 213 patients responded to the survey (171 males, mean age 53.4±13.5 and BMI 34.02±8.8 kg/m 2). Almost a third of the patients (28.2%) did not initiate CPAP treatment. Out of 213, 153 patients (71.8%) started treatment with CPAP and 120 (56.3%) reported still being under treatment a year after indication, additionally, 85.8% reported that they were using it =4hs/night. Those who accessed to CPAP were on average, older age, had full coverage of treatment by their medical insurance, required lower effective pressure and experienced more severe sleepiness compared to those individuals who did not accessed to CPAP. Discussion: A significant proportion of OSA patients with CPAP indication did not initiate and/or eventually abandoned CPAP. Approximately only 50% of the patients were still under treatment, with acceptable selfreported adherence rate and clinical response, one year after the initial treatment indication. Additional measures are necessary to increase access to CPAP and improve long-term compliance.

Compliance with continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) therapy for obstructive sleep apnea among privately paying patients- a cross sectional study

BMC Pulmonary Medicine, 2014

Background: To evaluate the compliance, benefits and side effects associated with continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) therapy among Pakistani patients treated for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) in private sector. Methods: Patients diagnosed to have OSA based on overnight study who were recommended for CPAP therapy, between 1998 and 2003, were evaluated by telephonic survey and review of hospital notes. Compliance, benefits and side effects associated with CPAP therapy were assessed. Results: Out of 135 patients who were prescribed CPAP therapy, 75 could be contacted. Sixty (80%) started using CPAP within one month of diagnosis and 46 (61%) continued to use it long-term (beyond one year). Compliance with CPAP therapy was associated with higher body mass index, higher Epworth sleepiness scale score, history of witnessed apnea, and reduction in daytime sleepiness with CPAP therapy. OSA severity as assessed by apnea-hypopnea index did not affect compliance with CPAP therapy. Use of anti-depressants and CPAP induced sleep disturbances were associated with poor compliance with CPAP therapy. Conclusions: Obesity, excessive daytime sleepiness, witnessed apnea and improvement of daytime symptoms following use of CPAP were predictors of improved compliance. Use of antidepressants and CPAP induced sleep disturbances were predictors of poor compliance.

Factors that influence CPAP adherence: an overview

Sleep and Breathing, 2010

Background Continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) is an effective treatment for obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS). Consistent adherence to CPAP improves the patient’s longevity and quality of life as well as public safety. However, nonadherence is a significant contributor to the growing burden of untreated OSAS, and is associated with negative consequences for the patient, public safety, and the healthcare system. Objective The use of CPAP is a classic example of an effective treatment for which adherence is extremely variable. This paper examines a multiplicity of factors that influence CPAP adherence. Factors These factors are traditionally thought of in terms of patient and equipment variables, but in addition physician, family, healthcare facility, and governmental issues all contribute to CPAP adherence. Discussion These factors are reviewed and pragmatic recommendations are made for improving clinical practice.

CPAP Treatment Adherence in Women with Obstructive Sleep Apnea

Sleep Disorders, 2017

Untreated obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) has numerous negative health-related consequences. Continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) is generally considered the treatment of choice for OSA, but rates of nonadherence are high. It is believed that OSA is more prevalent among men; therefore understanding how OSA presents among women is limited and treatment adherence has received little research attention. For this study, 29 women were recruited from primary care offices. They completed a questionnaire battery and underwent a night of nocturnal polysomnography (PSG) followed by a visit with a sleep specialist. Women diagnosed with OSA were prescribed CPAP; 2 years later CPAP adherence was evaluated. Results show that approximately half the sample was adherent. There were no significant differences between adherent and nonadherent women on OSA severity; however CPAP adherent women had worse nocturnal and daytime functioning scores at the time of diagnosis. Moreover, when the seven noct...

CPAP compliance in patients with obstructive sleep apnea syndrome

Sleep and Breathing, 2008

Objective: Our aim in this study is to investigate, in patients who are advised to use CPAP, the rate of usage, differences between the patients who use the device and those who don't; and the factors affecting the compliance rates. Methodology: A telephone survey was applied to the patients who underwent polysomnography, between the years 2010-2015 and were thereafter advised to use CPAP as the treatment method. Results: Total number of patients included in the study was 108. Of them, 77 (71%) was male and 31 (29%) was female. The mean age was 50 (±11). There were 47 (43,5%) patients with comorbidities. Of 108 patients, 63 (58%) reported using CPAP at the time of the survey and 45 (42%) reported having abandoned the treatment, 62% (n: 28) of this 45 patients reported that they ceased the CPAP use within the first week of their treatment. Of 63 patients using CPAP, 3 (5%) was found noncompliant while 60 (95%) was found compliant. Conclusion: In our study, rate of CPAP use was found to be 55%. The difference between the mean ages of CPAP users and non-users was found statistically significant (p: 0,008). the results of our study suggests that BMI is not a factor that affects the rate of CPAP use. In our study, contrary to what would be expected, the mean CPAP pressure of the patients using the device were found to be higher than that of non-users.

Adherence to Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP) Therapy

CHEST Journal, 2014

To investigate the rates of Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP) uptake and adherence amongst Singaporean patients diagnosed with Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA), and to evaluate factors correlated with CPAP uptake and adherence. Study design: Retrospective review of medical records. Methods: Medical records were reviewed for baseline demographics, daytime sleepiness, presence of nasal symptoms and OSA severity, initial treatment choice, the rate of CPAP treatment uptake and CPAP adherence at 1 and 12 months. Results: 2160 patients were diagnosed with OSA within the 5-year period (2011-2015). 463 (21.4%) had mild OSA, 583 (27.0%) had moderate OSA and 1114 (51.6%) had severe OSA. For initial therapy, 751 (34.8%) patients opted for a 1-month CPAP trial, 288 (13.3%) patients chose surgery upfront, 291 (13.5%) patients chose adjunctive treatments (weight loss, positional therapy, dental appliance, intranasal steroid spray for allergic rhinitis) and 830 (38.4%) patients rejected all forms of treatment. 337 out of 751 patients (44.9%) were adherent to CPAP therapy during the 1 month trial. 381 out of 751 (50.7%) patients took up CPAP therapy following the trial period, of which 299 out of 381 (78.5%) patients were adherent to CPAP therapy at 1 year. CPAP adherence during the 1-month trial was a predictor for eventual CPAP treatment uptake and CPAP adherence at 1 year (p < 0.001). Age (p < 0.001), BMI (p < 0.001) and normal ESS (p = 0.01) were predictors of treatment rejection. 24 patients underwent upper airway surgery during their first year of using CPAP. 21 out of the 24 patients (87.5%) were adherent to CPAP at 1 year after undergoing surgery. These patients had a higher rate of CPAP adherence compared to the overall cohort (87.5% versus 78.5%), but this was not statistically significant (p > 0.05). Conclusion: Singaporean patients who accept CPAP therapy after an initial 1-month CPAP trial will generally be adherent to CPAP therapy. Initial patterns of CPAP usage are predictive of long term CPAP adherence. However, there is a high rate of CPAP treatment rejection both at the time of diagnosis and after the CPAP trial. Upper airway surgery in selected patients may improve CPAP adherence.

Improving Adherence and Quality of Life of CPAP for Obstructive Sleep Apnea With An Intervention Based On Stratification and Personalization of Care Plans: A Randomized Controlled Trial

2021

Purpose The aim was to determine adherence to CPAP and health-related outcomes in patients with OSA via a comprehensive program based on stratification and individualized care plans, including motivational interview. Methods A multicentre, randomized controlled trial (RCT) design was used in 3 hospitals. The control group followed the usual treatment. Intervention group (PIMA) followed the treatment with an adapted care plan (home visits, telephone, care-center) depending on socio-demographic, clinical and psychological variables, using motivational interviews in all the interventions. The main outcome was adherence, and secondary were quality of life, emotional state, activities, social relationships, perceived competence, and motivation. The clinical trial was registered with www.clinicaltrials.gov (NCT 04691479). Results 213 patients (68.1% men, 58.7% between 51–69 years old, 45.5% upper-secondary school education) were randomized: 108 were in the intervention group and 105 were ...