Predictors of long-term adherence to continuous positive airway pressure therapy in patients with obstructive sleep apnea and cardiovascular disease in the SAVE study

Impact of the Connected Sleep Remote on Early Adherence to Hypoglossal Nerve Stimulation Therapy

OBJECTIVES

To assess the impact of the connected sleep remote on early adherence to therapy with hypoglossal nerve stimulation therapy.

METHODS

Prospective cohort study. Objective adherence data was extracted from a cloud-based database on consecutive patients undergoing implantation of unilateral hypoglossal nerve stimulation before and after the introduction of the connected sleep remote.

RESULTS

We identified 121 patients with the original sleep remote and 126 patients with the connected sleep remote in the 12 months before and after the introduction of the connected remote, respectively. Overall usage in the first 7 days was 7.9 h, with therapy used on 95.3% of nights and 0.6 pauses per night. Usage in the first 30 days was 7.7 h, with therapy used on 94.0% of nights and 0.6 h of pause per night. There were no differences between the original and connected sleep remotes at 7, 14, 30, or 60 days. By 90 days, nightly usage was 7.3 h for both groups, but the percentage of nightly usage was higher with the connected remote group at 94.2% compared to the original remote group at 89.2% (p = 0.03). In multivariable analysis, the connected remote was associated with a higher percentage of nightly usage in the first 90 days. There were no differences in early adherence rates between therapy responders and non-responders.

CONCLUSION

A connected sleep remote allowing remote physician as well as direct patient access to usage data was associated with higher adherence at 90 days, possibly reflecting positive reinforcement provided by the associated smartphone application.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: 3

Cost-effectiveness analysis of continuous positive airway pressure treatment for obstructive sleep apnea in Singapore from a health system perspective

This study assessed the cost-effectiveness of continuous positive airway pressure treatment for obstructive sleep apnea in Singapore from a health system perspective. The analysis evaluated a 5-year care pathway using a Markov model, considering per-patient costs of treatment, health system cost savings of obstructive sleep apnea and attributed conditions, the effectiveness measured in disability-adjusted life years with a discount rate of 3% and a weighted 5-year continuous positive airway pressure adherence of 74.1% from Singapore studies. Per-patient costs of treatment were from a large public hospital in Singapore. Efficacy of continuous positive airway pressure treatment, health system costs and disability-adjusted life years were obtained from literature; costs are in US dollars. We conducted probabilistic sensitivity analysis, one-way sensitivity analysis and what-if analysis. Based on a willingness-to-pay threshold of US $50,000 per disability-adjusted life year in USA, continuous positive airway pressure therapy was highly cost-effective, with an incremental cost-effectiveness ratio of $13,822 per disability-adjusted life year averted. Compared with the annual total costs of $856 for patients with continuous positive airway pressure treatment diagnosed by an inpatient sleep study, the total costs for those diagnosed by a home sleep test were $625, resulting in a remarkable 27% reduction per patient per year. One-way sensitivity analysis indicated that costs of treatment, effectiveness of continuous positive airway pressure treatment and adherence had a higher impact on the cost-effectiveness of continuous positive airway pressure therapy. The what-if analysis suggested that for continuous positive airway pressure treatment to be cost-effective, adherence rate should be at least 16.1%. These findings provide valuable insights for policymakers in making informed decisions on funding diagnosis and continuous positive airway pressure therapy within Singapore's healthcare system.

A novel method for positive airway pressure delivery: vortical pulsating airflow

STUDY OBJECTIVES

The primary objective of this study was to determine whether vortical pulsating airflow can achieve therapeutic pharyngeal pressure levels without requiring a tight-sealing mask.

METHODS

A pilot study included 12 nasal-breathing adults who are currently using positive airway pressure (PAP) for therapy. Patients were awake, and pharyngeal pressures were measured using a miniature pressure probe inserted through their nares. Vortical pulsating airflow was applied via a nasal cannula with a customized valve. The inspiratory flow rate was increased until the pharyngeal pressure matched or exceeded the participant's prescribed PAP level. The expiratory flow rate was maintained at a constant low level of continuous airflow.

RESULTS

The study demonstrated that vortical pulsating airflow could generate pharyngeal pressures equivalent to or higher than those achieved with PAP therapy in all participants. The peak inspiratory pressures with vortical pulsating airflow followed an oscillatory pattern matching the pulsation frequency. The mean peak pressure increased linearly with the pulsating flow rate. Compared to a high-flow nasal cannula, vortical pulsating airflow produced significantly higher inspiratory pharyngeal pressures, reaching nearly 20 cmH2O.

CONCLUSIONS

Vortical pulsating airflow could be a viable method for delivering PAP therapy to patients with respiratory or sleep disorders without needing a tight-sealing mask. Further research is required to establish whether this method can improve patients' adherence to PAP therapy, assess long-term safety and efficacy, and explore the impact of varying pulsation parameters on treatment outcomes.

CITATION

Oren L, Gutmark E, Romaker A. A novel method for positive airway pressure delivery: vortical pulsating airflow. J Clin Sleep Med. 2025;21(3):513-518.

Prospective crossover trial of positional and CPAP therapy for the treatment of mild-to-moderate positional obstructive sleep apnea

STUDY OBJECTIVES

We evaluated the efficacy of vibrotactile positional therapy (PT) compared to standard continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) therapy in mild-to-moderate positional obstructive sleep apnea.

METHODS

We conducted a prospective crossover randomized controlled trial of adult patients with treatment-naïve, symptomatic, mild-to-moderate positional obstructive sleep apnea, defined as ≥ 5 total apnea-hypopnea index < 30 with supine-to-nonsupine apnea-hypopnea index ratio ≥ 2. Participants were randomized to in-laboratory treatment initiation polysomnography with either PT or CPAP on sequential nights before an 8-week trial of each therapy. The primary end point was symptomatic improvement (Epworth Sleepiness Scale; ΔESS). Secondary end points included patient preference, usage, sleep architecture, and quality of life measures.

RESULTS

A total of 52 participants were enrolled and completed both arms of the study. Participants were symptomatic with a median ESS score of 12 (interquartile range, 10-14). Treatment resulted in a significant (P < .001) symptomatic improvement with both PT and CPAP (ΔESS 4; interquartile range, 6-11) without a significant difference between treatment arms (P = .782). PT was effective at restricting supine sleep and demonstrated improved sleep efficiency compared with CPAP, although no better than baseline. Both therapies were effective at reducing apnea-hypopnea index, although CPAP demonstrated superior apnea-hypopnea index reduction. There were otherwise no clinically significant differences in sleep architecture, usage, or secondary outcomes including overall patient preference.

CONCLUSIONS

In this cohort, treatment with PT or CPAP resulted in clinically significant symptomatic improvement (ΔESS) that was not significantly different between treatment arms. No real difference was seen in other secondary outcome measures. This study provides further evidence to support the use of PT as an alternative first-line therapy with CPAP in appropriately selected patients with positional obstructive sleep apnea.

CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION

Registry: Australian New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry; Name: Prospective crossover trial of Positional and Continuous positive airway pressure Therapy for the treatment of mild-to-moderate positional obstructive sleep apnea; URL: https://anzctr.org.au/Trial/Registration/TrialReview.aspx?id=377221&isReview=true; Identifier: ACTRN12619000475145.

CITATION

Wilson MR, Carroll R, Kinder S, et al. Prospective crossover trial of positional and CPAP therapy for the treatment of mild-to-moderate positional obstructive sleep apnea. J Clin Sleep Med. 2025;21(2):305-313.

Feasibility and acceptability of switching from a previous-generation to a new-generation mask for positive airway pressure therapy of sleep apnea using remote care

Purpose

Mask selection could affect an individual's experience with positive airway pressure (PAP) treatment for obstructive sleep apnea, but there is very limited data on the impact of switching to a different mask once established on PAP therapy. This study investigated the patient's experience when switching from a previous-generation PAP mask to a new-generation mask via remote care.

Methods

A new-generation mask (AirFit F30i or AirFit N30i) was successfully fitted to 215 participants during video conferencing sessions. Participants completed online questionnaires on day 1, day 3, day 7, day 30 and day 90 after mask switch to collect subjective feedback and quality of life data; objective PAP device data were also downloaded.

Results

Residual apnea-hypopnea index showed statistically significant difference from baseline at day 30 (+0.2 ± 0.9/h [p = 0.026]) and day 90 (+0.2 ± 0.8/h [p = 0.006]), however unlikely to be clinically relevant. Average daily usage was significantly increased from baseline at day 30 (+0.2 ± 1.2 h/day [p = 0.010]) but not day 90 (+0.1 ± 1.0 h/day [p = 0.126]). Functional Outcomes of Sleep Questionnaire (FOSQ-10) score was significantly higher at day 90 (change from baseline to day 90: +0.48 ± 2.29 [p = 0.015]). Subjective ratings for comfort, seal, and usability of the new-generation mask were significantly better than the predefined acceptability level. Rates of PAP-related side effects were generally acceptable.

Conclusion

Remote management of mask change was associated with good outcomes in terms of objective device data and patient acceptability. This approach could be used to improve the overall therapy experience for individuals requiring a PAP therapy mask change for any reason.

Clinical trial registration

http://clinicaltrials.gov (NCT05262439).

Evaluation of continuous positive airway pressure adherence and its contributing factors

BACKGROUND

Continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) adherence may vary based on the study design and country.

OBJECTIVES

To investigate long-term CPAP adherence and elucidate associated factors.

METHODS

A multicenter retrospective observational cohort study was conducted over two years. The study included patients diagnosed with obstructive sleep apnea who were prescribed CPAP (n = 1261). Adherence was assessed for 90 days and 365 days. Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) criteria (≥4 h/night on ≥70 % of nights) and research adherence criteria (≥4 h/night during the observational period) were used. Factors influencing CPAP adherence (CMS criteria) during 90 and 365 days were also evaluated. Continuous variables were categorized into low, middle, and high classes, and logistic regression analysis with interaction was performed.

RESULTS

CPAP adherence to CMS criteria for 90 and 365 days was 45.6 % and 44.7 %, respectively, whereas adherence to research criteria was 57.0 % and 54.1 %, respectively. Middle age, high age, and high apnea ratio independently increased CPAP adherence. Conversely, a high rapid eye movement apnea-hypopnea index ratio decreased CPAP adherence. Although high body mass index (BMI) had no independent effect on adherence, its interaction with high 3 % oxygen desaturation index increased 90-day CPAP adherence. However, high BMI decreased 90-day CPAP adherence in males. The interaction between middle age and high BMI was associated with decreased CPAP adherence over 365 days.

CONCLUSIONS

Adherence to CPAP in real-world settings is modest. Various factors influence CPAP adherence. BMI may exert varied effects on CPAP adherence depending on the accompanying factors.

Sleep Apnea and Stroke: A Narrative Review

TOPIC IMPORTANCE

Stroke is the second-leading cause of death worldwide. OSA is an independent risk factor for stroke and is associated with multiple vascular risk factors. Poststroke OSA is prevalent and closely linked with various stroke subtypes, including cardioembolic stroke and cerebral small vessel disease. Observational studies have shown that untreated poststroke OSA is associated with an increased risk of recurrent stroke, mortality, poorer functional recovery, and longer hospitalizations.

REVIEW FINDINGS

Poststroke OSA tends to be underdiagnosed and undertreated, possibly because patients with stroke and OSA present atypically compared with the general population with OSA. Objective testing, such as the use of ambulatory sleep testing or in-laboratory polysomnography, is recommended for diagnosing OSA. The gold standard for treating OSA is CPAP therapy. Randomized controlled trials have shown that treatment of poststroke OSA using CPAP improves nonvascular outcomes such as cognition and neurologic recovery. However, findings from randomized controlled trials that have evaluated the effect of CPAP on recurrent stroke risk and mortality have been largely negative.

SUMMARY

There is a need for high-quality randomized controlled trials in poststroke OSA that may provide evidence to support the utility of CPAP (and/or other treatment modalities) in reducing recurrent vascular events and mortality. This goal may be achieved by examining treatment strategies that have yet to be trialed in poststroke OSA, tailoring interventions according to poststroke OSA endotypes and phenotypes, selecting high-risk populations, and using metrics that reflect the physiologic abnormalities that underlie the harmful effects of OSA on cardiovascular outcomes.

Remote monitoring to improve low adherence in non-invasive ventilation: a protocol for a randomised controlled clinical trial (READ-NIV trial)

Background

Obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA) is the most common sleep-related breathing disorder. Non-invasive ventilation (NIV) is essential for managing hypercapnic respiratory failure in patients with obesity hypoventilation syndrome (OHS) and those with co-existing OSA, where continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) alone is insufficient. However, adherence to NIV can be challenging, with substantial non-compliance occurring due to factors such as discomfort and phobia. The objective of this protocol is to assess the improvement of adherence to NIV remotely monitored, as well as to record symptom control and long-term clinical outcomes, and to optimise healthcare resource usage.

Methods

This is a prospective, randomised, and controlled (usual care) trial with a two-arm parallel group design, testing remote monitoring of home NIV (T4P device, SRETT, Paris, France) for 3 months in patients with OSA/OHS who have previously had low NIV adherence (<4 hours/night). This project has been approved by the research ethics committee/Health Research Authority (HRA) [Integrated Research Application System (IRAS) ID: 270108], as well as by Guy's & St Thomas' NHS Foundation Trust R&D Department.

Discussion

Outcomes will be compared between the intervention and the control group (NIV with vs. without remote monitoring). The trial will also assess suitability of the outcome parameters, and test whether the data collection, symptom questionnaires, and used healthcare resources are suitable to describe the impact on patient-related outcomes.

Trial Registration

This study is registered at ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT04884165).

Predictors of Positive Airway Pressure Therapy Adherence Among U.S. Active Duty Military Personnel With Obstructive Sleep Apnea

INTRODUCTION

Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is prevalent among U.S. military personnel, but adherence to positive airway pressure (PAP) treatment is suboptimal. This study sought to identify factors that predict the adherence to PAP therapy of active duty military patients newly diagnosed with OSA.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The study was a retrospective cross-sectional analysis of 239 active duty military patients (94% men, mean age 40.0 ± 7.8 years), who were admitted into PAP therapy and participated in a single 90-minute behavioral intervention session. The session included a self-assessment of sleep trouble, sleep distress, impact of sleep on functioning, emotional difficulty from sleep, stress appraisal, and beliefs about OSA and PAP. PAP usage data of the patients were analyzed at 30-, 60-, and 180 days post-intervention using descriptive statistics and multivariable linear regression analysis.

RESULTS

Positive airway pressure adherence of at least 4 hours nightly usage decreased slightly over the course of the study; mean number of days used over a 30-day timeframe at the 30-, 60-, and 180-day mark were 15.6, 14.9, and 14.1 days, respectively. On nights used, PAP usage remained consistent at 4.8 to 5.0 hours over the 30-, 60-, and 180-day mark. Age, apnea-hypopnea index, readiness, self-efficacy or confidence in treatment implementation, and worries about sleep were statistically significant predictors of adherence. Furthermore, worries about sleep negatively affected PAP usage hours on nights used, regardless of meeting adherence criterion, in the early phase of treatment and in the long run at the 180-day mark.

CONCLUSIONS

Readiness for therapy, self-efficacy, confidence in putting into action the treatment plan, and worries about sleep are modifiable variables that may be targeted in programs to boost PAP adherence and usage among the military population. Future studies should explore the predictive aspects of each of these variables and identify interventions to improve them.

Impacts of conservative treatment on the clinical manifestations of obstructive sleep apnea-systematic review and meta-analysis

INTRODUCTION

Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is a chronic disease with a high populational prevalence that is characterized as airway closure during sleep. Treatment is multidisciplinary and varies according to each case. Continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP), oral appliances, and surgery are the primary therapeutic options. Non-invasive conservative treatments such as sleep hygiene, positional therapy, physical exercises, and weight loss aim to reduce the worsening of the disease while being complementary to the invasive primary treatment.

OBJECTIVE

To analyze the impact of non-invasive conservative therapies on the clinical manifestations of OSA syndrome (OSA), compared with other interventions.

METHOD

This was a systematic review with meta-analysis. The searches were performed without filters for the time period, type of publication, or language. Randomized clinical trials on subjects over 18 years of age diagnosed with untreated OSA were included. Responses to non-invasive conservative treatment were compared with responses to the primary intervention. Primary outcomes were assessed using the Epworth Sleepiness Scale and/or Functional Outcomes of Sleep Questionnaire (FOSQ).

RESULTS

A total of eight studies were included in the review. The heterogeneity of the effect was estimated at 89.77%. Six studies compared conservative treatment with CPAP, one with oral appliances, and one with oropharyngeal exercises. Using the Epworth Sleepiness Scale measurements, the standardized difference in the estimated means, based on the random-effects model, was 0.457 (95% CI (1.082 to 0.169)) and the mean result did not differ significantly from zero (z = 1.43; p = 0.153). The conservative therapies assessed in this study improved the subjective quality of sleep, although the post-treatment ESE scores did not show significant results. The reduction in AHI and better outcomes in the evaluated domains, as well as in cognition and mood, were superior in the groups that received CPAP and IOD.

CONCLUSION

The most commonly used treatments of choice for OSA are invasive, including the use of CPAP, oral appliances, and surgeries, being the most utilized options. This study demonstrated that non-invasive conservative treatments, such as sleep hygiene, yield results as effective as invasive treatments. Further studies are needed to confirm this result and to predict whether invasive treatment can be used as the primary treatment or only as a supplement.

Early recognition and treatment of OSA in hospitalized patients and its impact on health care utilization in rural population: a real-world study

STUDY OBJECTIVES

Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is a highly prevalent, yet underdiagnosed, condition. Due to its adverse impact on risk for cardiopulmonary disorders, there is interest in proactive screening of OSA in hospitalized patients. We studied the long-term outcome of such screened patients who were initiated on positive airway pressure therapy.

METHODS

Hospitalized patients who screened positive for OSA and were confirmed with postdischarge polysomnography were dichotomized by positive airway pressure therapy adherence and followed for a period of 12 months to evaluate for the composite end point of hospital readmissions and emergency department visits for cardiopulmonary reasons. Cost analysis between the 2 groups was also conducted.

RESULTS

A total of 2,042 hospitalized patients were assessed for OSA as part of a hospital sleep medicine program from August 2019-June 2023. Of these, 293 patients were diagnosed with OSA and prescribed positive airway pressure therapy. Of these 293 patients, 108 were adherent to therapy and 185 were nonadherent. The overall characteristics of the groups included a mean (standard deviation) age of 58 years (12.82), mean body mass index (kg/m2) of 39.72 (10.71), 57% male sex, and apnea-hypopnea index of 25.49 (26). Of the patients, 78%, 41%, and 43% had hypertension, congestive heart failure, and diabetes mellitus, respectively. The composite end point of hospital readmissions and emergency department visits for cardiovascular and pulmonary reasons was significantly higher in the nonadherent group than in the adherent group (hazard ratio, 1.24; 95% confidence interval, 1-1.54) (P = .03). The cost of care for both hospital billing as well as professional billing was higher for the nonadherent group ($1,455.60 vs $1,723.50, P = .004 in hospital billing cost and $130.90 vs $144.70, P < .001 in professional billing). Length of stay was higher for nonadherent patients (2.7 ± 5.1 days vs 2.3 ± 5.9 days).

CONCLUSIONS

Hospitalized patients diagnosed with OSA and adherent to therapy have reduced readmissions and emergency department visits for cardiopulmonary reasons 12 months after discharge. Adherent patients have reduced cost of health care and length of stay during hospitalizations.

CITATION

Sharma S, Stansbury R, Srinivasan P, et al. Early recognition and treatment of OSA in hospitalized patients and its impact on health care utilization in rural population: a real-world study. J Clin Sleep Med. 2024;20(8):1313-1319.

National Implementation of CPAP Telemonitoring and a Pay-for-performance Scheme for Homecare Providers in France Leads to Prioritisation of Resources to Individuals with Low Therapy Adherence: The IMPACT-PAP Cohort Study

INTRODUCTION

Long-term adherence to continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) therapy for obstructive sleep apnoea remains suboptimal and low adherence increases healthcare costs. This study investigated relationships between CPAP adherence and the intensity of support provided by homecare providers after implementation of telemonitoring and pay-for-performance reimbursement for CPAP in France.

METHODS

Adults who started CPAP in 2018/2019, used telemonitoring, and had ≥1 year of homecare provider data were eligible. The main objective was to determine associations between CPAP adherence at 1 month (low [<2h/night], intermediate [2 to <4h/night], high [≥4h/night]) and the number/type of homecare provider interactions (home visits, phone calls, mask change) during the first year.

RESULTS

Eleven thousand, one hundred sixty-six individuals were included (mean age 59.8±12.7 years, 67% male). The number of homecare provider interactions per person increased significantly as 1-month CPAP usage decreased (7.65±4.3, 6.5±4.0, 5.4±3.4 in low, intermediate and high adherence groups; p<0.01). There was marked improvement in device usage over the first 5-6 months of therapy in the low and intermediate adherence subgroups (p<0.05 after adjustment for age, sex, initial CPAP adherence, and number of interactions). After adjustment for age, sex and 1-month adherence, having 3-4 interactions was significantly associated with better 1-year adherence (odds ratio 1.24, 95% confidence interval 1.05-1.46), while having >7 interactions was significantly associated with worse 1-year adherence.

CONCLUSIONS

The telemonitoring/reimbursement scheme in France had a positive impact on CPAP adherence and facilitated a more personalised approach to therapy management, focusing resources on patients with low and intermediate adherence.

Oral appliance therapy and hypoglossal nerve stimulation as non-positive airway pressure treatment alternatives for obstructive sleep apnea: a narrative expert review

This perspective on alternatives to positive airway pressure (PAP) therapy for the treatment of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) summarizes the proceedings of a focus group that was conducted by the Sleep Research Society Foundation. This perspective is from a multidisciplinary panel of experts from sleep medicine, dental sleep medicine, and otolaryngology that aims to identify the current role of oral appliance therapy and hypoglossal nerve stimulation for the treatment of OSA with emphasis on the US practice arena. A secondary aim is to identify-from an implementation science standpoint-the various barriers and facilitators for adoption of non-PAP treatment that includes access to care, multidisciplinary expertise, reimbursement, regulatory aspects, current treatment guidelines, health policies, and other factors related to the delivery of care. The panel has contextualized the review with recent events-such as a large-scale PAP device recall compounded by supply chain woes of the pandemic-and emerging science in the field of OSA and offers solutions for multidisciplinary approaches while identifying knowledge gaps and future research opportunities.

Long-Term Adherence to Continuous Positive Airway Pressure in Patients with Obstructive Sleep Apnoea Set Up in a Complete Remote Pathway: A Single-Centre Service Evaluation Project

Background: Continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) is the first-line treatment for obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA). Maintaining adherence to CPAP in the long term is a clinical problem, and numerous factors have been identified that impact adherence. Although fully remote diagnostic and CPAP services were frequently utilised during the COVID-19 pandemic for patients with OSA, long-term adherence data have not been published. The aim of this service evaluation project was to describe the long-term adherence to CPAP. We also analysed factors that are associated with it. Methods: two-hundred and eighty patients diagnosed with OSA and set up on CPAP remotely during the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic as part of routine clinical practice were analysed. Results: One-hundred and seven patients (38%) were fully adherent to CPAP at 24 months, determined by at least 4 h of usage on at least 70% of the days. Of the factors analysed, body mass index, disease severity, driving status and the presence of depression were related to long-term adherence (all p < 0.05). Conclusions: with the likelihood of future pandemics similar to COVID-19, our data provide evidence that fully remote pathways for management of patients with OSA can be designed and be sustainable with good long-term adherence.

Concurrent laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy with uvulopalatopharyngoplasty in the treatment of morbid obesity comorbid with severe obstructive sleep apnea: a retrospective cohort study

STUDY OBJECTIVES

This study aimed to evaluate the safety and short-term effect of contemporaneous surgeries (bariatric surgery plus uvulopalatopharyngoplasty [UPPP]) in the treatment of morbid obesity comorbid with severe obstructive sleep apnea (OSA).

METHODS

A retrospective cohort study was performed to identify patients with obesity and severe OSA who underwent laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy (LSG) with or without UPPP surgeries between December 2019 and December 2021 in our center. Patients were divided into 2 groups according to different surgical methods (contemporaneous group [LSG with UPPP] vs LSG-only group). Data about surgical safety, OSA remission, and effectiveness of weight loss were collected and analyzed between the 2 groups before and 12 months after surgery.

RESULTS

A total of 101 patients were included in this study (contemporaneous group [LSG with UPPP], n = 42 vs LSG only group, n = 59). There was no significant difference in surgical safety between the 2 groups, and both OSA and obesity were significantly improved at 12.5 ± 2.1 months postoperative follow-up. The apnea-hypopnea index decreased from 68.7 ± 30.4 events/h to 10.2 ± 7.0 events/h in the contemporaneous group (P < .001) and from 64.7 ± 26.2 events/h to 18.9 ± 9.8 events/h in the LSG group (P < .001). Moreover, the apnea-hypopnea index decreased to below 5 events/h in 50% of patients (21/42) in the contemporaneous group but only in 13.5% of patients in the LSG group (P < .001). In the LSG group 20 (34%) patients achieved a reduction in apnea-hypopnea index < 15 events/h and resolution of daytime sleepiness.

CONCLUSIONS

Contemporaneous surgery (concurrent bariatric and UPPP surgeries) is feasible and an effective option for patients with obesity and severe OSA. However, our finding suggests that approximately a third of patients undergoing LSG with UPPP may not derive significant benefit from the UPPP portion of the contemporaneous surgical approach.

CITATION

Yang C, Yu W, Yao K, et al. Concurrent laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy with uvulopalatopharyngoplasty in the treatment of morbid obesity comorbid with severe obstructive sleep apnea: a retrospective cohort study. J Clin Sleep Med. 2024;20(4):555-564.

Sociological determinants of adherence to continuous positive airway pressure in the management of sleep apnoea syndrome: protocol for a transdisciplinary, prospective observational study

INTRODUCTION

Obstructive sleep apnoea syndrome (OSAS) is a chronic multiorgan pathology that has a negative impact on quality of life. Continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) is the first-line treatment for OSAS. However, CPAP termination rates remain very high, and adherence to therapy is a major issue. To date, studies targeting predictive factors of CPAP adherence by OSAS patients mainly include clinical data. The social, socioeconomic, psychological, and home environment aspects have been far less studied and largely underestimated. This study aims to obtain solid quantitative results examining the relationship between the determinants of refusal, non-adherence, or termination of CPAP treatment, and in particular the pivotal role played by health literacy.

METHODS AND ANALYSIS

This is a prospective, multicentre, observational study recruiting patients attending the sleep clinic of the Grenoble Alpes University Hospital, France. Consecutive adults (>18 years) recently diagnosed with OSAS and prescribed CPAP treatment with telemonitoring will be enrolled in the present study. They will benefit from home visits by a CPAP technician or nurse at CPAP initiation. Patients will then be followed up for 6 months through the telemonitoring platform of a home-care provider. The primary objective is to evaluate the impact of health literacy (health literacy, measured by the European Health Literacy Survey questionnaire (HLS-EU-16) on the refusal, non-adherence or termination of CPAP treatment in newly diagnosed OSAS patients, during the first 6 months after diagnosis. The target sample size is 250 participants.

ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION

The study protocol, patient information, and the non-opposition form were approved by the French national ethics committee (CPP 2021-92, January 2022). All patients are required to have signed a written informed consent form permitting their anonymised personal and medical data to be used for clinical research purposes. We will publish the results in a peer-reviewed medical journal and on our institutional websites.

TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER

NCT05385302.

Positive airway pressure therapy adherence and outcomes in obstructive sleep apnea: An exploratory longitudinal retrospective randomized chart review

Background

Positive airway pressure (PAP) therapy is prescribed to patients with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). A commonly used definition for PAP therapy adherence is based upon the minimum requirements to receive Medicare coverage in the US, defined as PAP usage of four or more hours per night on 70 percent of nights for at least 30 consecutive days. However, little evidence exists to support this definition for PAP therapy adherence. Therefore, the present study sought to determine the efficacy of the present definition of PAP therapy adherence on longitudinal outcomes in patients with OSA, using objectively measured PAP device usage time.

Methods

An exploratory longitudinal, retrospective, randomized chart review was done to assess clinical outcomes between patients with OSA who were defined as PAP therapy adherent (n=50) and non-adherent (n=50) during an eight-year observation period.

Results

No significant differences were shown between groups for mortality, hospitalizations, or development of co-morbidities during the observation period. However, logistic regression showed significantly higher odds of adherence in male patients compared to female patients (OR=8.519; 95%CI=1.301-55.756; p=0.025) and significantly lower odds of adherence in patients with higher normal (OR=0.039; 95%CI=0.005-0.392; p=0.003), mild excessive (OR=0.039; 95%CI=0.003-0.517; p=0.014), and severe excessive (OR=0.088; 95%CI=0.012-0.635; p=0.016) daytime sleepiness compared to patients with lower normal daytime sleepiness. An increasing number of hospitalizations also corresponded with a significant decrease in odds of being adherent (OR=0.741; 95%CI=0.551-0.995; p=0.046).

Conclusion

The present study supports a steadily growing body of literature calling for more consideration and evidence to support a definition of PAP therapy adherence that is clinically meaningful.

[Factors affecting adherence to CPAP therapy in patients with obstructive sleep apnea syndrome]

OBJECTIVE

Analysis of factors affecting adherence to continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) therapy in patients with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA).

MATERIAL AND METHODS

The literature search was carried out using the databases PubMED, Google Scholar, E-library, Cyberleninka for the period 2013-2023 and included reviews and original articles.

RESULTS

The main groups of factors affecting adherence to CPAP therapy in patients with OSA have been established. These include sociodemographic and socioeconomic factors, the severity of OSA and the severity of clinical symptoms, and psychosocial factors. Strategies that can improve adherence were identified (educational technologies for patients, telemedicine technologies, behavioral therapy, modern technical interventions).

CONCLUSION

Factors that improve adherence to CPAP therapy are high levels of education and income, more severe OSA forms accompanied by daytime sleepiness, support from the patient's spouse and social support. Factors such as low levels of education and income, smoking, symptoms of depression and hypochondria, as well as side-effects worsen adherence to CPAP therapy, including refusal to continue treatment. It should be noted that all the identified factors are very closely associated with each other, so it is necessary to evaluate them comprehensively in each patient with OSA.

CPAP adherence after ambulatory and in-hospital management in patients aged 65 years and older

OBJECTIVES

The aims of this study are to evaluate the early adherence to CPAP treatment in patients aged 65 years and older and to compare ambulatory (ACPAP) and in-hospital (HCPAP) management in starting CPAP treatment.

METHODS

Adherence to CPAP therapy at 3 months was retrospectively studied in patients on whom CPAP therapy was initiated between 1 January 2020 and 31 December 2021. Patients in the ACPAP group were selected based on the current Belgian reimbursement criteria (OAHI ≥30/h and few comorbidities).

RESULTS

146 patients were studied (median OAHI 43.35/h [32.02; 57.40]; median age 69 [67.0; 73.0]): 116 (79.5%) patients in the HCPAP and 30 (20.5%) in the ACPAP group. Based on an adherence threshold of average CPAP use of ≥ 4 hours per day, 120 (82%) patients were adherent to the treatment; 94 (81%) patients in the HCPAP and 26 (86.7%) in the ACPAP group. The median CPAP use for the total population was 6.4 h/day [4.89; 7.34], reaching 6.3 h/d [4.79; 7.15] for the HCPAP group and 6.8 h/d [6.21; 8.06] for the ACPAP group (p = 0.019). Insomnia was a significant risk factor for non-adherence (OR 5.16 [1.64; 16.08], p = 0.0043) but the ACPAP method was not (OR 0.66 [0.18; 1.91], p = 0.4748).

CONCLUSION

Early CPAP adherence in patients ≥ 65 years old was good in terms of average use per day and proportion of adherent patients. ACPAP method was not a risk factor for lower CPAP adherence in patients presenting severe OSAS (OAHI ≥30/h) and few comorbidities.

Veterans' Experiences of Support in Managing Comorbid Sleep Apnea and Type 2 Diabetes

BACKGROUND

Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is highly prevalent in patients with Type 2 diabetes, more so in veterans compared with nonveterans. Positive airway pressure is the recommended first-line treatment for OSA. However, adherence to both positive airway pressure and diabetes management regimens can be challenging for older adults. Support from family or friends may improve glucose control or sleep-apnea-related symptoms, yet the evidence is limited when both conditions coexist.

OBJECTIVES

This study aimed to describe veterans' experiences of support from family and friends with managing comorbid sleep apnea and Type 2 diabetes.

METHODS

We conducted a postal survey of older veterans with OSA and Type 2 diabetes from one healthcare system. Questions include demographic and health-related information, information about sleep apnea and diabetes treatment and education received, related support from family or a friend, perceived benefits of regular positive airway pressure device use on improving sleep health, and perceived benefits of education for family or a friend on sleep apnea and diabetes. Descriptive and bivariate analyses were performed.

RESULTS

Of 145 respondents (mean age = 72 years), 43% reported receiving help for Type 2 diabetes from family or a friend. Almost two thirds of the respondents were currently using a positive airway pressure device, of whom 27% received support with device use from family or friends. About one third of veterans perceived family and friends receiving education on treating sleep apnea and diabetes to be very or extremely helpful. Such perceived benefit was higher among those who were married or identified as non-White. Veterans using a positive airway pressure device had lower hemoglobin A1c levels than nonusers.

DISCUSSION

Veterans perceived that additional education for the individuals providing support would be beneficial. Future studies could address interventions to increase sleep apnea and Type 2 diabetes knowledge among families and friends of veterans with these comorbid conditions. In addition, patients' adherence to positive airway pressure may be enhanced by support from family and friends.

A Review of Novel Oximetry Parameters for the Prediction of Cardiovascular Disease in Obstructive Sleep Apnoea

Obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA) is a sleep disorder with repetitive collapse of the upper airway during sleep, which leads to intermittent hypoxic events overnight, adverse neurocognitive, metabolic complications, and ultimately an increased risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD). The standard diagnostic parameter for OSA, apnoea-hypopnoea index (AHI), is inadequate to predict CVD morbidity and mortality, because it focuses only on the frequency of apnoea and hypopnoea events, and fails to reveal other physiological information for the prediction of CVD events. Novel parameters have been introduced to compensate for the deficiencies of AHI. However, the calculation methods and criteria for these parameters are unclear, hindering their use in cross-study analysis and studies. This review aims to discuss novel parameters for predicting CVD events from oximetry signals and to summarise the corresponding computational methods.

Adherence to CPAP Treatment and the Risk of Recurrent Cardiovascular Events: A Meta-Analysis

Importance

The effect of continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) on secondary cardiovascular disease prevention is highly debated.

Objective

To assess the effect of CPAP treatment for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) on the risk of adverse cardiovascular events in randomized clinical trials.

Data Sources

PubMed (MEDLINE), EMBASE, Current Controlled Trials: metaRegister of Controlled Trials, ISRCTN Registry, European Union clinical trials database, CENTRAL (Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials), and ClinicalTrials.gov databases were systematically searched through June 22, 2023.

Study Selection

For qualitative and individual participant data (IPD) meta-analysis, randomized clinical trials addressing the therapeutic effect of CPAP on cardiovascular outcomes and mortality in adults with cardiovascular disease and OSA were included.

Data Extraction and Synthesis

Two reviewers independently screened records, evaluated potentially eligible primary studies in full text, extracted data, and cross-checked errors. IPD were requested from authors of the selected studies (SAVE [NCT00738179], ISAACC [NCT01335087], and RICCADSA [NCT00519597]).

Main Outcomes and Measures

One-stage and 2-stage IPD meta-analyses were completed to estimate the effect of CPAP treatment on risk of recurrent major adverse cardiac and cerebrovascular events (MACCEs) using mixed-effect Cox regression models. Additionally, an on-treatment analysis with marginal structural Cox models using inverse probability of treatment weighting was fitted to assess the effect of good adherence to CPAP (≥4 hours per day).

Results

A total of 4186 individual participants were evaluated (82.1% men; mean [SD] body mass index, 28.9 [4.5]; mean [SD] age, 61.2 [8.7] years; mean [SD] apnea-hypopnea index, 31.2 [17] events per hour; 71% with hypertension; 50.1% receiving CPAP [mean {SD} adherence, 3.1 {2.4} hours per day]; 49.9% not receiving CPAP [usual care], mean [SD] follow-up, 3.25 [1.8] years). The main outcome was defined as the first MACCE, which was similar for the CPAP and no CPAP groups (hazard ratio, 1.01 [95% CI, 0.87-1.17]). However, an on-treatment analysis by marginal structural model revealed a reduced risk of MACCEs associated with good adherence to CPAP (hazard ratio, 0.69 [95% CI, 0.52-0.92]).

Conclusions and Relevance

Adherence to CPAP was associated with a reduced MACCE recurrence risk, suggesting that treatment adherence is a key factor in secondary cardiovascular prevention in patients with OSA.

Use of historical remote monitoring data to determine predictors of CPAP non-compliance in patients with OSA

PURPOSE

Continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) is the gold standard treatment for obstructive sleep apnoea. This study aimed to use complete usage data collected remotely from modern CPAP devices to identify compliance trends and clinical predictors of CPAP usage.

METHODS

Group usage data were analysed for a large cohort at a single tertiary sleep-centre before a detailed review of a 90-day reporting window for each patient was conducted. Individual data were collected for a smaller cohort of patients including demographics, past medical history and diagnostic sleep study results. A zero-inflated negative binomial regression model was used to determine associations between patient characteristics and usage days.

RESULTS

Of 6450 patients who were prescribed CPAP and included in the initial service analysis, 476 patients were included in the sub-group. Complete usage data revealed that 46% of patients were fully compliant with CPAP therapy. Compliance fell from 55 to 46% by day 90 and remained at this rate going forward. Significant predictors of CPAP non-compliance included being in the lowest quartile of Index of Multiple Deprivation scores (most deprived) compared with the highest quartile (least deprived) (p = .005), and less severe oxygen desaturation index (ODI) on diagnosis (p = .03).

CONCLUSIONS

Complete usage data show that compliance at day 90 appears to be a good indicator of future CPAP usage. Predictors of CPAP non-compliance may include lower socioeconomic status, and lower ODI.

A randomized controlled trial of a multi-dimensional intervention to improve CPAP use and self-efficacy

OBJECTIVES

To assess the utility of a tailored intervention program to improve continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) use and self-efficacy in individuals with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA).

METHODS

81 participants (mean age 52.1 ± 11.6 years; 35 females) with OSA were randomized to either a multi-dimensional intervention (PSY CPAP, n = 38) or treatment as usual (TAU CPAP, n = 43). The intervention included a psychoeducation session prior to CPAP initiation, a booster psychoeducation session in the first weeks of commencing CPAP, follow-up phone calls on days 1 and 7, and a review appointment on day 14. CPAP use was compared between the PSY CPAP and TAU CPAP groups at 1 week, 1 month, and 4 months. Self-efficacy scores (risk perception, outcome expectancies, and CPAP self-efficacy) were compared between groups following the initial psychoeducation session and again at 1 month and 4 months.

RESULTS

CPAP use was higher in the PSY CPAP group compared to the TAU CPAP group for all time points (p = .02). Outcome expectancies improved significantly over time in PSY CPAP participants (p = .007). Change in risk perception was associated with CPAP use at 1 week (p = .02) for PSY CPAP participants. However, risk perception did not mediate the effect between group and CPAP use at 1 week.

CONCLUSIONS

Interventions designed to increase self-efficacy and administered prior to CPAP initiation, repeated in the early stages of CPAP therapy, and combined with a comprehensive follow-up regime are likely to improve CPAP use. Sustained improvement in CPAP use is the ultimate goal but remains to be investigated.

Moving toward Equitable Care for Sleep Apnea in the United States: Positive Airway Pressure Adherence Thresholds: An Official American Thoracic Society Policy Statement

Background: Positive airway pressure (PAP) is a highly effective treatment for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), but adherence limits its efficacy. In addition, coverage of PAP by CMS (Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services) and other insurers in the United States depends on adherence. This leaves many beneficiaries without PAP, disproportionally impacting non-white and low socioeconomic position patients with OSA and exacerbating sleep health disparities. Methods: An inter-professional, multidisciplinary, international committee with various stakeholders was formed. Three working groups (the historical policy origins, impact of current policy, and international PAP coverage models) met and performed literature reviews and discussions. Using surveys and an iterative discussion-based consensus process, the policy statement recommendations were created. Results: In this position paper, we advocate for policy change to CMS PAP coverage requirements to reduce inequities and align with patient-centered goals. We specifically call for eradicating repeat polysomnography, eliminating the 4-hour rule, and focusing on patient-oriented outcomes such as improved sleepiness and sleep quality. Conclusions: Modifications to the current policies for PAP insurance coverage could improve health disparities.

Adherence to CPAP Treatment: Can Mindfulness Play a Role?

Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is considered a chronic disease that requires long-term multidisciplinary management for effective treatment. Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP) is still considered the gold standard of therapy. However, CPAP effectiveness is limited due to poor patients' adherence, as almost 50% of patients discontinue treatment after a year. Several interventions have been used in order to increase CPAP adherence. Mindfulness-based therapies have been applied in other sleep disorders such as insomnia but little evidence exists for their application on OSA patients. This review aims to focus on the current data on whether mindfulness interventions may be used in order to increase CPAP adherence and improve the sleep quality of OSA patients. Even though controlled trials of mindfulness and CPAP compliance remain to be performed, this review supports the hypothesis that mindfulness may be used as an adjunct method in order to increase CPAP adherence in OSA patients.

The relationship between adherence to continuous positive airway pressure and nasal resistance measured by rhinomanometry in patients with obstructive sleep apnea syndrome

Nasal breathing disorders are associated with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) syndrome and influence the availability of continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) therapy. However, information is scarce about the impact of nasal resistance assessed by rhinomanometry on CPAP therapy. This study aimed to examine the relationship between CPAP adherence and nasal resistance evaluated by rhinomanometry, and to identify clinical findings that can affect adherence to CPAP therapy for patients with OSA. This study included 260 patients (199 men, 61 women; age 58 [interquartile ranges (IQR) 50-66] years) with a new diagnosis of OSA who underwent rhinomanometry (before, and 1 and 3 months after CPAP introduction) between January 2011 and December 2018. CPAP use was recorded, and the good and poor CPAP adherence groups at the time of patient registration were compared. Furthermore, those with improved and unimproved pre-CPAP high rhinomanometry values were also compared. Their apnea-hypopnea index (AHI) by polysomnography at diagnosis was 45.6 (IQR 33.7-61.6)/hour, but the residual respiratory event (estimated AHI) at enrollment was 2.5 (IQR 1.4-3.9)/hour and the usage time was 318 (IQR 226-397) minutes, indicating that CPAP was effective and adherence was good. CPAP adherence was negatively correlated with nasal resistance (r = -0.188, p = 0.002). The participants were divided into good (n = 153) and poor (n = 107) CPAP adherence groups. In the poor adherence group, rhinomanometry values before CPAP introduction were worse (inspiration, p = 0.003; expiration, p = 0.006). There was no significant difference in patient background when comparing those with improved (n = 16) and unimproved (n = 12) pre-CPAP high rhinomanometry values. However, CPAP usage time was significantly longer in the improved group 1 month (p = 0.002) and 3 months (p = 0.026) after CPAP introduction. The results suggest that nasal resistance evaluated by rhinomanometry is a useful predictor of CPAP adherence, and that improved rhinomanometry values may contribute to extending the duration of CPAP use.

Therapieadhärenz drei Monate nach Einleitung einer nichtinvasiven CPAP-Therapie bei 1078 Patienten mit obstruktiver Schlafapnoe (OSA)

Einleitung Die nächtliche kontinuierliche positive Überdruckatmung (CPAP) gilt als therapeutischer Goldstandard einer obstruktiven Schlafapnoe (OSA). Die CPAP-Therapie stellt zumeist eine Dauertherapie mit geringen Nebenwirkungen dar. Trotzdem ist die Therapietreue unbefriedigend. In dieser Arbeit wurden die Therapietreue betrachtet und typische Probleme katalogisiert.

Methode 1078 OSA-Patienten wurden nach diagnostischer Polygrafie (PG) oder Polysomnografie (PSG) auf eine CPAP-Therapie eingestellt. Die Therapietreue wurde nach 3 Monaten nachverfolgt. Folgende Therapieadhärenz-Gruppen wurden festgelegt: 1. gute CPAP-Einstellung und Nutzung, 2. CPAP-Abbruch nach anfänglicher Nutzung, 3. mangelnde CPAP-Nutzung wegen Nebenwirkungen, 4. Abbruch aufgrund fehlender Motivation/geringem Leidensdruck, 5. Masken-Unverträglichkeit, 6. CPAP-Versagen aufgrund fehlenden Therapieeffekts, 7. Umstellung auf anderes Beatmungsverfahren, 8. keine Kontrolle erfolgt.

Ergebnisse Von 1078 CPAP-Patienten erschienen 830 Patienten (77 %) zur Therapiekontrolle. Hiervon waren 450 Patienten (54,2%) in Gruppe 1, 216 Patienten (26%) in Gruppe 2, 71 Patienten (8,5%) in Gruppe 3, 35 Patienten (4,2%) in Gruppe 4, 14 Patienten (1,7%) in Gruppe 5, 3 Patienten (0,4 %) in Gruppe 6 und 41 Patienten (4,9%) in Gruppe 7. Ein geringer obstruktiver Ereignisindex, niedriger CPAP-Druck und tendenziell auch ein geringer Epworth-Sleepiness-Score waren Prädiktoren für CPAP-Versagen. Für die Therapietreue konnten keine signifikanten Prädiktoren dargestellt werden.

Diskussion Eine effektive Therapienutzung von 54% nach 3 Monaten ist ein suboptimales Ergebnis. Prädiktoren für CPAP-Versagen waren Parameter, die vor Therapie auf geringen Leidensdruck der Patienten deuteten. Trotz großer Patientenkohorte konnten keine signifikanten CPAP-Adhärenz-Prädiktoren durch anthropometrische oder PSG-Daten dargestellt werden. Vielmehr könnten Erfahrungen in den ersten Therapietagen ausschlaggebend sein. CPAP-Geräte bieten Komforteinstellungen, die kenntnisgerecht auf den Patienten individualisiert werden müssen. Eine große Auswahl an unterschiedlichen Maskenformen erfordert Erfahrung und Training bei der patientenorientierten Maskenanpassung. Eine 3-monatige Wiedervorstellung erscheint zu lang, um Therapieprobleme zeitnah mit dem Patienten zu besprechen. Telemedizinische Möglichkeiten oder kurzfristige telefonische Beratungsoptionen sollten in Betracht gezogen werden.

"The terrible dryness woke me up, I had some trouble breathing"-Critical situations related to oral health as described by CPAP-treated persons with obstructive sleep apnea

Continuous positive airway pressure is a common and effective treatment for obstructive sleep apnea, but adherence remains an issue. Both obstructive sleep apnea and oral diseases are associated with cardiovascular diseases, and as oral dryness contributes to treatment abandonment, oral health is of importance for this patient group. The aim was therefore to explore how persons with continuous positive airway pressure-treated obstructive sleep apnea experience situations associated with their oral health, and which actions they take to manage these. An explorative and descriptive design was adopted using the critical incident technique. Based on a purposeful selection, 18 adults with long-term experience of continuous positive airway pressure-treatment were interviewed using a semi-structured interview guide. Both negative and positive situations were described. Negative situations consisted of challenges with breathing, including mouth-breathing, choking sensations, problems with night-time and daytime oral dryness, changes in the saliva composition, and deteriorating oral health. Positive situations included experiences of reduced mouth-breathing and oral dryness. The situations were often successfully managed by mimicking daytime movements, changing sleeping position, adjusting the CPAP-device and mask, increasing oral hygiene efforts, drinking water, using a humidifier or chinstrap, or contacting their oral healthcare clinic. Long-term experience of persons with continuous positive airway pressure-treated obstructive sleep apnea regard situations and actions from everyday life. Successful management can contribute to long-term adherence and decrease negative effects on oral health. More interdisciplinary collaborations could enable identification and adequate recommendations for persons who experience negative situations during their continuous positive airway pressure treatment.

Patients with Obstructive Sleep Apnea and Cardiovascular Diseases: What, When, and Why Is Mandibular Advancement Device Treatment Required? A Short Review

Obstructive sleep apnea is a potentially dangerous condition with significant risks of comorbidities if left untreated. It represents a cardiovascular risk factor in the general population, and a higher prevalence is observed in patients already suffering from cardiovascular diseases. The gold standard treatment, continuous positive airway pressure, is not always accepted or tolerated. The mandibular advancement device represents an alternative treatment that we propose to implement in our study. The objective here is to first present a brief review of the topic. Due to poor evidence in the field, we propose a pilot study to evaluate the effect of a mandibular advancement device in patients with cardiovascular disease who are not treated for their sleep pathology in order to improve their therapeutic management.

Identifying longitudinal patterns of CPAP treatment in OSA using growth mixture modeling: Disease characteristics and psychological determinants

In this study, we aim to identify the distinct subtypes of continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) user profiles based on the telemedicine management platform and to determine clinical and psychological predictors of various patterns of adherence. A total of 301 patients used auto-CPAP (Autoset 10, Resmed Inc.) during the treatment period. Four categories of potential predictors for CPAP adherence were examined: (1) demographic and clinical characteristics, (2) disease severity and comorbidities, (3) sleep-related health issues, and (4) psychological evaluation. Then, growth mixture modeling was conducted using Mplus 8.0 to identify the unique trajectories of adherence over time. Adherence data were collected from the telemedicine management platform (Airview, Resmed Inc.) during the treatment. Three novel subgroups were identified and labeled "adherers" (53.8% of samples, intercept = 385, slope = -51, high mean value, negative slope and moderate decline), "Improvers" (18.6%, intercept = 256, slope = 50, moderate mean value, positive slope and moderate growth) and "non-adherers" (27.6%, intercept = 176, slope = -31, low mean value, negative slope and slight decline). The comorbidities associated with OSA and the apnea-hypopnea index (AHI), which reflects the objective severity of the disease, did not differ significantly among the subgroups. However, "improvers" showed higher levels of daytime sleepiness (8.1 ± 6.0 vs. 12.1 ± 7.0 vs. 8.0 ± 6.1 in SWIFT, p = 0.01), reduced daytime function (4.6 ± 1.6 vs. 3.8 ± 1.6 vs. 4.2 ± 1.8 in QSQ daytime symptoms, p = 0.02), and characteristics of positive coping style (1.8 ± 0.5 vs. 1.9 ± 0.5 vs. 1.7 ± 0.5 in SCSQ positive coping index, p = 0.02). Negative emotion was more pronounced in patients with "non-adherers" (12.9 ± 3.8 vs. 13.7 ± 3.3 vs. 14.6 ± 3.5, p = 0.02 in the HADS depression dimension; 9.0 ± 6.1 vs. 9.8 ± 5.1 vs. 11.5 ± 6.3, p = 0.01 with Negative Affectivity in DS14, and 9.3 ± 6.1 vs. 10.3 ± 5.1 vs. 11.7 ± 6.5, p = 0.01 with Social Inhibition in DS14). Overall, our study demonstrated that CPAP therapy may present distinct trajectories of adherence over time in addition to the traditional binary classification. Self-reported sleep health issues (diurnal sleepiness and daytime dysfunction) as well as psychological characteristics (negative emotions and coping style) were predictors of different adherence subtypes in patients with OSA. Understanding CPAP use profiles and their predictors enable the identification of those who may require additional intervention to improve adherence and further enhance the therapeutic effect in OSA patients.

Investigation on factors related to poor CPAP adherence using machine learning: a pilot study

To improve patients' adherence to continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) therapy, this study aimed to clarify whether machine learning-based data analysis can identify the factors related to poor CPAP adherence (i.e., CPAP usage that does not reach four hours per day for five days a week). We developed a CPAP adherence prediction model using logistic regression and learn-to-rank machine learning with a pairwise approach. We then investigated adherence prediction performance targeting a 12-week period and the top ten factors correlating to poor CPAP adherence. The CPAP logs of 219 patients with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) obtained from clinical treatment at Kyoto University Hospital were used. The highest adherence prediction accuracy obtained was an F1 score of 0.864. Out of the top ten factors obtained with the highest prediction accuracy, four were consistent with already-known clinical knowledge. The factors for better CPAP adherence indicate that air leakage should be avoided, mask pressure should be kept constant, and CPAP usage duration should be longer and kept constant. The results indicate that machine learning is an adequate method for investigating factors related to poor CPAP adherence.

Risk of Severe COVID-19 in Non-Adherent OSA Patients

Background

Patients with obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA) are at increased risk of severe course of COVID-19. Vaccination remains to be the most effective prevention of complicated courses of infection. The best contemporary conservative treatment of OSA is continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) therapy.

Purpose

To compare vaccination acceptance and outcomes of COVID-19 infection between OSA patients adhering to the CPAP therapy and those who rejected CPAP and surgical therapy.

Patients and Methods

Subjects were divided into two groups: group A (N = 167) were individuals with sufficient CPAP adherence (more than 4 hours per night on average) over the last 10 years. Group B (N = 106) were individuals who did not use the CPAP therapy at all and had no indications to surgical therapy.

Results

Three patients in group B died, and one had a severe course of COVID-19. None of the patients in group A died or experienced a severe course of COVID-19. Group A had a significantly higher proportion of males (77.8% compared to 66% in group B) and all parameters of OSA severity. The vaccination status was similar among both groups, with a complete triple dose vaccination rate of 69.5% and 67.9% in groups A and B, respectively.

Conclusion

The results show that the patients with OSA adherent to CPAP therapy were less likely to experience a severe course of COVID-19 or death than the OSA patients non-compliant with therapy, despite the former group having more severe OSA. This result underlines the importance of adherence to CPAP therapy in OSA.

Randomized controlled trial on the efficacy of audio-visual health educational materials on CPAP adherence: the AHEAD trial

STUDY OBJECTIVES

Educational interventions have been proposed to improve continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) adherence; however, studies to date have not demonstrated robust effectiveness, due to methodological issues. Furthermore, these educational interventions have not specifically targeted low health literacy communication techniques, which have been demonstrated to improve outcomes in numerous other chronic diseases. We hypothesized that the addition of low-cost audio-visual educational videos (EVs) to usual standard-of-care (SC) education would improve CPAP adherence in adults with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) syndrome.

METHODS

At CPAP initiation, treatment-naïve adults with OSA syndrome were randomized to (1) usual SC or (2) SC + 5 EVs showing a patient's journey, designed with low health literacy communication techniques to teach patients about OSA and CPAP therapy. The primary endpoint was CPAP usage at 2 months (hours/night) and secondary endpoints were CPAP usage at 12 months and percentage of patients with ≥ 4 hours/night use at 2 months and 12 months.

RESULTS

One hundred and ninety-five patients were randomized (SC 99, EV 96), with a mean age of 57 years (interquartile range [IQR] 44.1-64.8 years). There were no statistically significant differences in patient characteristics at baseline between the SC vs EV groups, with the diagnostic apnea-hypopnea index of 34 events/h (IQR 21-59 events/h) vs 30 events/h (IQR 20-50 events/h) and Epworth Sleepiness Scale score of 12.8 ± 6 vs 11.7 ± 5. At 2 months, there was no significant difference in hours of CPAP usage (SC: 3.45 hours/night [95% confidence interval (CI): 2.76 to 4.13] vs EV: 3.75 hours/night [95% CI: 3.14 to 4.37]) nor in proportion with adequate usage or overall commencement rate. However, at 12 months, there was a significant difference in hours of CPAP usage (SC: 2.50 hours/night [95% CI: 1.94 to 3.06] vs EV: 3.66 hours/night [95% CI: 2.92 to 4.40]). The probability of adequate CPAP usage at 12 months was higher in the intervention arm (odds ratio: 1.33; 95% CI: 1.04 to 1.7; P = .013). Patients with low education backgrounds benefitted substantially from the EV intervention compared with SC (mean difference at 12 months = 2.47 hours/night usage; 95% CI: 1.01 to 2.93; P < .01).

CONCLUSIONS

Low health literacy-designed EVs improve CPAP adherence at 12 months compared with SC, with the greatest impact in patients with a low educational background.

CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION

Registry: Australian New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry; Name: Randomised controlled trial on the efficacy of audio-visual health educational materials on sleep health literacy and continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) adherence in Sleep Clinic patients; URL: https://www.australianclinicaltrials.gov.au/anzctr/trial/ACTRN12619000523101; Identifier: ACTRN12619000523101.

CITATION

Ellender CM, Samaranayake C, Reid N, et al. Randomized controlled trial on the efficacy of audio-visual health educational materials on CPAP adherence: the AHEAD trial. J Clin Sleep Med. 2022;18(11):2617-2625.

Bilateral vs Unilateral Hypoglossal Nerve Stimulation in Patients With Obstructive Sleep Apnea

Objective

Unilateral hypoglossal nerve stimulation (uniHNS) is an effective treatment for obstructive sleep apnea. Bilateral hypoglossal nerve stimulation (biHNS) is a novel therapeutic option and a different approach to hypoglossal nerve stimulation. The aim of this study was to analyze the clinical outcome of the first 10 biHNS cases vs the first 10 uniHNS cases ever implanted.

Study Design

Prospective data analysis.

Setting

International multicenter comparative clinical trial.

Methods

The first 10 patients in 2020 who received a biHNS device (Genio System; Nyxoah) and the first 10 patients in 2014 who received a uniHNS system (Inspire II; Inspire Medical Systems) were included. Treatment outcome was evaluated at 3 months after surgery. Data collection included demographics, apnea hypopnea index (AHI), oxygen saturation and desaturation index, Epworth Sleepiness Scale, and adverse events.

Results

The mean ± SD age was 52.1 ± 9.6 years (biHNS) and 58.3 ± 8.6 years (uniHNS). The mean body mass index was 26.4 ± 5.6 kg/m² (biHNS) and 26.2 ± 2.2 kg/m² (uniHNS). The mean preimplantation AHI (biHNS, 39.9 ± 14.8/h; uniHNS, 32.2 ± 11.0/h) decreased in both groups after 3 months (biHNS, 19.2 ± 14.0/h, P = .008; uniHNS, 13.1 ± 16.8/h, P = .037) with no significant difference between groups (P = .720). The mean preimplantation Epworth Sleepiness Scale (biHNS, 11.8 ± 6.2; uniHNS, 11.1 ± 4.9) decreased as well after 3 months (biHNS, 9.4 ± 6.3; uniHNS, 6.0 ± 5.0).

Conclusion

Preliminary postmarket data suggest that biHNS may be as safe and effective as uniHNS. Long-term follow-up in a larger sample size is required to assess the stability of biHNS.

Effect of informationmotivationbehavior skills on adherence of continuous positive airway pressure therapy in patients with obstructive sleep apnea hypopnea syndrome

OBJECTIVES

Obstructive sleep apnea hypopnea syndrome (OSAHS) is a common disease that seriously affects health. Continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) therapy is the preferred treatment for moderate-to-severe OSAHS patients. However, poor adherence to CPAP is a major obstacle in the treatment of OSAHS. Information-motivation-behavioral (IMB) skills, as a kind of mature technology to change the behavior, has been used in various health areas to improve treatment adherence. This study aims to explore the effects of the IMB skills intervention on CPAP adherence in OSAHS patients.

METHODS

Patients who were primary diagnosed with moderate-to-severe OSAHS were randomly divided into the IMB group (n=62) and the control group (n=58). The patients in the IMB group received CPAP therapy and the IMB skills intervention for 4 weeks. The patients in the control group received CPAP therapy and a usual health care provided by a registered nurse. We collected the baseline data of the general information, including age, sex, body mass index (BMI), the Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS) score, the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) score, and indicators about disease severity [apnea-hypopnea index (AHI), percentage of time with arterial oxygen saturation SaO2<90% (T90), average SaO2, lowest SaO2, arousal index]. After CPAP titration, we collected CPAP therapy-relevant parameters (optimal pressure, maximum leakage, average leakage, 95% leakage, and residual AHI), score of satisfaction and acceptance of CPAP therapy, and score of willingness to continue CPAP therapy. After 4 weeks treatment, we collected the ESS score, HADS score, CPAP therapy-relevant parameters, effective CPAP therapy time per night, CPAP therapy days within 4 weeks, CPAP adherence rate, score of satisfaction and acceptance of CPAP therapy, and score of willingness to continue CPAP therapy. Visual analog scale (VAS) of 0-5 was used to evaluate the satisfaction and acceptance of IMB intervention measures in the IMB group.

RESULTS

There were no significant differences in the baseline level of demographic parameters, ESS score, HADS score, disease severity, and CPAP therapy related parameters between the IMB group and the control group (all P>0.05). There were no significant differences in score of willingness to continue CPAP therapy, as well as score of satisfaction and acceptance of CPAP therapy after CPAP titration between the IMB group and the control group (both P>0.05). After 4 weeks treatment, the ESS score, HADS score, maximum leakage, average leakage, and 95% leakage of the IMB group were significantly decreased, while the score of satisfaction and acceptance of CPAP therapy and willingness to continue CPAP therapy of the IMB group were significantly increased (all P<0.05); while the above indexes in the control group were not different before and after 4 weeks treatment (all P<0.05). Compared with the control group, the ESS score, HADS score, maximum leakage, average leakage, and 95% leakage of the IMB group after 4 weeks treatment were significantly lower (all P<0.05); the effective CPAP therapy time, CPAP therapy days within 4 weeks, score of satisfaction and acceptance of CPAP therapy, score of willingness to continue CPAP therapy of the IMB group were significantly higher (all P<0.05). The rate of CPAP therapy adherence in 4 weeks of the IMB group was significantly higher than that of the control group (90.3% vs 62.1%, P<0.05). The VAS of overall satisfaction with IMB skills intervention measures was 4.46±0.35.

CONCLUSIONS

IMB skills intervention measures can effectively improve the adherence of CPAP therapy in OSAHS patients, and is suitable for clinical promotion.

Telemonitoring for the Follow-Up of Obstructive Sleep Apnea Patients Treated with CPAP: Accuracy and Impact on Therapy

Continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) telemonitoring (TMg) has become widely implemented in routine clinical care. Objective measures of CPAP compliance, residual respiratory events, and leaks can be easily monitored, but limitations exist. This review aims to assess the role of TMg in CPAP-treated obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) patients. We report recent data related to the accuracy of parameters measured by CPAP and try to determine the role of TMg in CPAP treatment follow-up, from the perspective of both healthcare professionals and patients. Measurement and accuracy of CPAP-recorded data, clinical management of these data, and impacts of TMg on therapy are reviewed in light of the current literature. Moreover, the crucial questions of who and how to monitor are discussed. TMg is a useful tool to support, fine-tune, adapt, and control both CPAP efficacy and compliance in newly-diagnosed OSA patients. However, clinicians should be aware of the limits of the accuracy of CPAP devices to measure residual respiratory events and leaks and issues such as privacy and cost-effectiveness are still a matter of concern. The best methods to focus our efforts on the patients who need TMg support should be properly defined in future long-term studies.

Long-term use of CPAP in patients with obstructive sleep apnea: a prospective longitudinal cohort study

Continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) is an efficient treatment for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). Reports of long-term usage vary, as do the factors that predict long-term usage. The aim of this study was to explore long-term CPAP usage and identify potential predictors. This prospective longitudinal cohort study included all patients referred to an outpatient clinic for CPAP treatment during an eight-month period. Clinical data were collected at baseline. Follow-ups were scheduled after one week, three months and two years. Use data were downloaded from the CPAP device at each follow-up. Of 163 included patients, 112 were available for long-term follow-up 2-4 years after starting CPAP, and use data were downloaded for 99 patients. Median duration of CPAP use was 6 h/night (IQR 4.2-7.1). The only significant variable predicting long-term usage was usage at three months. Nearly half (43%) of the patients needed extra consultations beyond the standard treatment plan. Most patients (69%) did not contact the clinic for their recommended two-year follow-up but were instead called into the clinic specifically for the study. There was no significant difference in long-term CPAP usage between patients who initiated contact themselves and those who were called in and would otherwise have been lost for follow-up. Most patients adhere well to CPAP in the long term, although many need extra follow-up. Patients lost for follow-up should not necessarily be considered non-adherent as their reason for not attending could be that they are managing treatment well on their own.

Early objective adherence to hypoglossal nerve stimulation therapy

STUDY OBJECTIVES

To assess early adherence to therapy with hypoglossal nerve stimulation therapy.

METHODS

This is a prospective study of consecutive patients with moderate to severe obstructive sleep apnea who underwent implantation of hypoglossal nerve stimulation therapy within a single academic practice and attended a follow-up appointment after greater than 30 days of therapy use. Objective adherence data were extracted from an objective monitoring database and compared to patient characteristics.

RESULTS

The study population was 79 participants who were 29.1% female with a mean age of 58.7 ± 12.8 years old, body mass index of 28.9 ± 3.4 kg/m², and baseline apnea-hypopnea index of 33.8 ± 17.6 events/h. In the first 7 days after device activation, average use was 7.8 h/night, with 91.9% of nights with greater than 4 hours of therapy use and an average of 0.2 pauses in therapy per night. These figures remained stable after 30 days of use: 7.7 h/night, 91.0% of nights longer than 4 hours, and 0.3 pauses per night. Objective evidence of difficulty with acclimatization was associated with age less than 60 years (odds ratio 2.8, 95% confidence interval 1.1-7.1, P = .03) and a history of prior upper airway surgery (3.9, 1.2-11.9, P = .015). Insomnia was present in 31 patients and was not associated with objective evidence of difficulty tolerating therapy.

CONCLUSIONS

Early adherence to hypoglossal nerve stimulation is excellent (92.4% >4 hours on >70% of nights), suggesting that the acclimatization period is straightforward in most. Younger age and a history of prior upper airway surgery appear to be associated with an increased risk of difficulty with acclimatization.

CITATION

Huyett P. Early objective adherence to hypoglossal nerve stimulation therapy. J Clin Sleep Med. 2022;18(2):631-636.

An overview of noninvasive ventilation in cystic fibrosis

Noninvasive ventilation (NIV) use was initially reported in cystic fibrosis (CF) in 1991 as a bridge to lung transplantation, and over the decades, the use of NIV has increased in the CF population. Individuals with CF are prone to various physiologic changes as lung function worsens, and they benefit from NIV for advanced lung disease. As life expectancy in CF has been increasing due to advances such as highly effective modulator therapy, people with CF may also benefit from NIV for other diagnosis beyond advanced lung disease. NIV can improve gas exchange, quality of sleep, exercise tolerance, and augment airway clearance in CF. CF providers can readily become comfortable with this therapeutic modality. In this review, we will summarize the physiologic basis for NIV use in CF, describe indications for initiation, and discuss how to order and monitor patients on NIV. We will discuss aspects unique to people with CF and the use of NIV, as well as suggestions on how to reduce risks such as infection. We hope that this serves as a resource for CF providers, in particular those who do not have dedicated training in sleep medicine as we all continue to care for the CF patient population.

Factors Affecting Long-Term Compliance of CPAP Treatment-A Single Centre Experience

Continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) has been the standard treatment of obstructive sleep apnoea/hypopnoea syndrome (OSA) for almost four decades. Though usually effective, this treatment suffers from poor long-term compliance. Therefore, the aim of our one centre retrospective study was to assess factors responsible for treatment failure and long-term compliance. Four hundred subsequent patients diagnosed with OSA and qualified for CPAP treatment were chosen from our database and compliance data were obtained from medical charts. Many differing factors kept patients from starting CPAP or led to termination of treatment. Overall, almost half of patients ended treatment during the mean time of observation of 3.5 years. Survival analysis revealed that 25% of patients failed at a median time of 38.2 months. From several demographic and clinical covariates in Cox’s hazard model, only the presence of a mild OSA, i.e., AHI (apnoea/hypopnoea index) below 15/h was a factor strongly associated with long term CPAP failure. The compliance results of our study are in line with numerous studies addressing this issue. Contrary to them, some demographic or clinical variables that we used in our survival model were not related to CPAP adherence.

[Adherence to CPAP Three Months after Starting Therapy in 1078 Patients with Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA)]

INTRODUCTION

 Nocturnal Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP) is considered the gold standard treatment for obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA). The CPAP therapy is a long-term treatment but does come with few possible side effects. The adherence to the therapy is frequently suboptimal. In this paper, adherence to therapy was assessed and typical problems were classified.

METHODS

 1078 OSA patients received CPAP therapy after a diagnostic polygraphy (PG) or polysomnography (PSG). Adherence to therapy was followed up three months after treatment induction. The following therapy adherence groups were defined: 1. correctly calibrated CPAP and good adherence, 2. CPAP non-acceptance, after initial use, 3. CPAP intolerance use due to side effects, 4. discontinuation due to lack of motivation/low rates of symptoms. 5. mask intolerance, 6. CPAP failure due to a lack of perceived treatment effect, 7. Change to another non-invasive ventilation method, 8. No control carried out.

RESULTS

 Out of 1078 OSA patients a therapy control was performed in 830 patients (77 %). Of these, 450 patients (54.2 %) were placed in group 1, 216 patients (26 %) in group 2, 71 patients (8.5 %) in group 3, 35 patients (4.2 %) in group 4, 14 patients (1.7 %) in group 5, 3 patients (0.4 %) in group 6 and 41 patients (4.9 %) in group 7. A mild obstructive index, low CPAP pressure and, as a trend, a low Epworth- Sleepiness score were predictors of CPAP failure. No significant predictors could be shown for adherence to therapy.

DISCUSSION

 An effective treatment use of 54 % after 3 months is a suboptimal result. Predictors of CPAP failure were parameters that indicated that the patient was less symptomatic prior to therapy. Despite a large patient cohort, neither anthropometric nor PSG-data provided any significant CPAP adherence predictors. Rather, experiences in the first nights of use could be decisive. CPAP devices offer comfort settings that have to be personalised to patients' needs and wants. A large selection of different mask shapes requires experience and training in patient-centred mask fitting. A three-month follow-up appointment seems too long to discuss therapy problems with the patient in a timely manner. Telemedical options or short-term telephone appointments should be considered.

Endorsement of: "treatment of adult obstructive sleep apnea with positive airway pressure: an American academy of Sleep Medicine Clinical Practice Guideline" by World Sleep Society

Guidelines for the evaluation and management of sleep disorders from national societies provide recommendations that may be regionally appropriate but may not always be practical or relevant in other parts of the world. A task force of experts from the World Sleep Society's (WSS) International Sleep Medicine Guidelines Committee and Sleep and Breathing Disorders Taskforce reviewed the American Academy of Sleep Medicine's Clinical Practice Guideline on the Treatment of Adult Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA) with Positive Airway Pressure with respect to its relevance and applicability to the practice of sleep medicine by sleep specialists in various regions of the world. To improve the evaluation of the guideline, surveys were sent by the senior author and the WSS to approximately 800 sleep doctors around the world to query the availability of OSA treatments in their respective region. The task force and the WSS guidelines committee endorsed the AASM's CPAP guidelines with respect to the indications for PAP therapy, utilization of different PAP modalities, and concurrent strategies to improve outcomes, noting appropriate caveats for universal applicability.

A Fully Remote Diagnostic and Treatment Pathway in Patients with Obstructive Sleep Apnoea during the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Single Centre Experience

The COVID-19 pandemic led to significant delays in the diagnostic and management pathway of patients with obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA). During the first wave of COVID-19, our department adopted a fully remote diagnostic (home cardiorespiratory polygraphy) and treatment (autoset continuous positive airway pressure, CPAP) approach. As a novel mode of service delivery, our aim was to evaluate our pathway and analyse factors associated with adherence to CPAP. We analysed the first 300 patients (51 ± 13 years, 48% men) who were set up on remote CPAP between 20 May 2020 and 11 September 2020. The associations between CPAP usage at 90 days and age, gender, body mass index, disease severity, Epworth Sleepiness Scale and comorbidities were investigated with linear and logistic regression analyses. A total of 124 patients (41.3%) were fully-adherent to CPAP therapy, defined as CPAP usage ≥ 4 h on ≥ 70% of the days. Only driving status was associated with adherence to CPAP. Patients who were adherent at 28 days were more likely to stay adherent at 90 days (3.77 odd ratio /3.10-4.45/ 95% confidence interval). We have shown that a fully remote diagnostic and treatment pathway for patients with OSA can be successfully delivered, and our preliminary outcomes of adherence to CPAP are comparable with published data.

The Importance of Mask Selection on Continuous Positive Airway Pressure Outcomes for Obstructive Sleep Apnea. An Official American Thoracic Society Workshop Report

Continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) remains the major treatment option for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). The American Thoracic Society organized a workshop to discuss the importance of mask selection for OSA treatment with CPAP. In this workshop report, we summarize available evidence about the breathing route during nasal and oronasal CPAP and the importance of nasal symptoms for CPAP outcomes. We explore the mechanisms of air leaks during CPAP treatment and possible alternatives for leak control. The impact of nasal and oronasal CPAP on adherence, residual apnea-hypopnea index, unintentional leaks, and pressure requirements are also compared. Finally, recommendations for patient and partner involvement in mask selection are presented, and future directions to promote personalized mask selection are discussed.

PAP Adherence and Nasal Resistance. A Randomized Controlled Trial of CPAPflex versus CPAP in World Trade Center Responders

Rationale: Continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) adherence is often poor in obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) and may be influenced by nasal resistance. CPAP with a reduction of expiratory pressure (CPAPflex) may reduce discomfort in those with high nasal resistance and improve adherence in this subgroup.Objectives: To evaluate the association of positive airway pressure (PAP) treatment adherence to nasal resistance and examine if CPAPflex improves adherence over CPAP in subjects with high nasal resistance.Methods: A randomized double-blind crossover trial of 4 weeks each of CPAPflex versus CPAP in subjects exposed to World Trade Center dust with OSA stratified by nasal resistance, measured by 4-Phase Rhinomanometry.Results: Three hundred seventeen subjects with OSA (mean, apnea-hypopnea index with 4% O₂ desaturation for hypopnea = 17 ± 14/h) were randomized. Overall, PAP adherence was poor, but adherence to CPAP (n = 239; mean hours per night [95% confidence interval (CI)]), 1.97 h (1.68 to 2.26) was greater than adherence to CPAPflex (n = 249; 1.65 h [1.39 to 1.91]; difference of 0.31 h [0.03; 0.6]; P < 0.05). Contrary to our hypothesis there was no correlation between nasal resistance and adherence to CPAP (r = 0.098; P = not significant) or CPAPflex (r = 0.056; P = not significant). There was no difference in adherence between CPAP and CPAPflex (mean Δ hours [95% CI]) in subjects with low resistance (0.33 h [-0.10 to 0.76]) or high nasal resistance (0.26 h [-0.14 to 0.66]). No significant differences were observed in any of the secondary outcomes between PAP modes.Conclusions: Contrary to expectations, our data do not show better adherence to CPAPflex than to CPAP in subjects with high or low nasal resistance and do show clinically insignificant better adherence overall with CPAP.Clinical trial registered with www.clinicaltrials.gov (NCT01753999).

Efficacy of a telemonitoring system in continuous positive airway pressure therapy in Asian obstructive sleep apnea

STUDY OBJECTIVES

A telemonitoring system is a promising wireless technology that possibly enhances adherence to CPAP therapy. The study aimed to determine the effect of a telemonitoring system on CPAP therapy adherence among Asian patients with moderate-to-severe OSA.

METHODS

A prospective randomized controlled trial enrolled 60 Asian adults (70% male) with moderate-to-severe OSA. Thirty patients each were randomized to a group using CPAP with a telemonitoring system or a group using CPAP with usual care. The telemonitoring system functioned by transferring CPAP-usage data via cellular network. When there were any triggers occurring 2 nights consecutively (usage hours < 4 hours per night; leakage > 27 L/min or AHI > 5 events/h), the investigator contacted the patients. The primary outcome was the 4-week CPAP usage hours per night. The secondary outcomes included the percentage of good adherence (defined as a 4-week period of therapy with CPAP usage > 4 hours/night on > 70% of total days), median leakage per night, adverse events from CPAP therapy, sleep quality improvement, and daytime sleepiness reduction.

RESULTS

The mean AHI was 50.3 events/h. The mean 4-week CPAP usage hours per night were insignificantly higher in the telemonitoring group (5.16 ± 1.47 hours/night vs 4.42 ± 1.91 hours/night; P = .18). However, the percentage of good adherence was significantly higher in the telemonitoring group (64.2% vs 34.4%; P = .024). Median leakage per night was also significantly lower in the telemonitoring group. Furthermore, significant sleep quality improvement was observed in the telemonitoring group. Overall adverse events and daytime sleepiness reduction were not different.

CONCLUSIONS

The telemonitoring system implementation showed a trend toward increasing CPAP nightly usage hours and significantly improved adherence and sleep quality among Asian patients with moderate-to-severe OSA.