Efficacy and adherence of auto-CPAP therapy in patients with obstructive sleep apnea: a prospective study

Abstract

Introduction: The use of auto-continuous positive airway pressure (auto-CPAP) therapy has been recommended for subjects with moderate-to-severe obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) without significant comorbidities. This study is aimed at evaluating the efficacy and adherence of auto-CPAP therapy in subjects with OSA. Methods: It was a perspective and descriptive study. All study subjects who had apnea-hypopnea index (AHI) >30/h, measured by polysomnography, were included. They were treated with auto-CPAP and followed-up for 6 months for evaluating the effect of CPAP-therapy on clinical and biological features and treatment adherence. Results: One hundred and thirty-nine subjects with severe OSA were accepted for auto-CPAP therapy at inclusion. BMI was 28.4±3.8 kg/m2; neck and abdomen circumferences were 38.2±6.4 and 85.7±11.6. Epworth and Pichot scores were 18.4±6.3 and 28.3±4.5, respectively; AHI was 39±7/h and arousal index was 39±13/hour. At 6th month, 96.4% of study subjects continued to use auto-CPAP-therapy within 6.5±2.4 hours/night. There was a significant correlation between the modification (Δ) of Epworth scores and (Δ) AHI after 3 and 6 months of auto-CPAP-therapy (R=0.568 and P=0.003; R=0.745 and P=0.002; respectively). At 6th month follow-up, the main side effects of auto-CPAP were difficult sleeping, dry mouth or nose, skin marks or rashes, discomfortable breathing, and nasal congestion (36.1%, 32.0%, 20.8%, 16.0%, and 11.9%; respectively). Conclusion: Auto-CPAP is effective in treatment of Vietnamese patients with severe OSA in short-term follow-up.