Factors affecting compliance in OSA patients treated with APAP

Introduction: Continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) is an effective treatment for symptomatic moderate-severe obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA). More recently, automatic positive airway pressure (APAP) devices are being used instead on the premise that variability in device pressure would improve compliance although this has not been proven. Aims: Evaluate 3 month compliance in OSA patients treated with APAP Identify factors affecting short and medium term compliance Methods: Symptomatic patients with OSA [Apnoea hypopnoea index (AHI) >10 and Epworth Sleep Score (ESS) >10]were offered APAP therapy and monitored prospectively for 3 months. Their APAP data was downloaded at 2 weeks and 3 months.Data was analysed using Spearman9s test and multiple regression. Results: APAP therapy was initiated in 26 patients (22 men) with a mean (SD) age of 51 (11.7) years. Mean AHI was 44.5 (25.5) and mean ESS was 12 (4.7). Mean compliance at 3 months and 2 weeks was 307 (130) and 330 (96) minutes respectively. Median (range) number of consultations over 3 months was 2 (1-9). Compliance at 2 weeks was significantly correlated to compliance at 3 months (p Other factors such as age, sex BMI, initial AHI and mean APAP did not influence compliance on multiple regression. Conclusions: Mean short and medium term compliance is very good in our cohort. Compliance at 2 weeks predicts 3 month compliance which is in keeping with other studies. Compliance was also found to be related to intensity of technical support suggesting that careful follow up will improve compliance.