Alternative Care Pathways for Obstructive Sleep Apnea and the Impact on Positive Airway Pressure Adherence: Unraveling the Puzzle of Adherence

Treatment outcomes among rural and urban patients with obstructive sleep apnea: a prospective cohort study

STUDY OBJECTIVES

To determine whether adherence to continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) in adults with uncomplicated OSA differs by rural versus urban residential address.

METHODS

In this prospective cohort study, we recruited adults who initiated CPAP for uncomplicated OSA that was diagnosed by a physician using sleep specialist-interpreted diagnostic testing. Participants were classified as urban (community size > 100,000) or rural by translating residential postal code into geographic census area. The primary outcome was mean daily hours of CPAP use compared between rural and urban patients. Secondary outcomes included: the proportion of patients who were adherent to CPAP; change in Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS) score; change in EuroQOL-5D score; and Visit-Specific Satisfaction Instrument score. All outcomes were measured three months after CPAP initiation.

RESULTS

We enrolled 242 patients (100 rural) with mean (SD) age 51 (13) years and respiratory event index 24 (18) events/hour. Mean (95% CI) CPAP use was 3.19 (2.8,3.58) hours/night and 35% were CPAP-adherent, with no difference between urban and rural patients. Among the 65% of patients who were using CPAP at three months, mean CPAP use was 4.89 (4.51,5.28) hours/night and was not different between rural and urban patients. Improvement in ESS and patient satisfaction were similar between groups, but EuroQOL-5D score improved to a greater extent in rural patients. Urban or rural residence was not associated with CPAP adherence in multivariable regression analysis.

CONCLUSIONS

Rural versus urban residence was not associated with differences in CPAP adherence when guided by specialist-interpreted diagnostic sleep testing.

Peer-driven intervention to help patients resume CPAP therapy following discontinuation: a multicentre, randomised clinical trial with patient involvement

INTRODUCTION

Obstructive sleep apnoea syndrome (OSAS) is one of the most common chronic diseases. It may be associated with symptoms of excessive daytime sleepiness and neurocognitive and cardiovascular complications. First line therapy for OSAS involves home continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP), however, nearly half of patients do not adhere with this treatment over the long term. Cognitive-behavioural interventions that include health professionals and patient and public involvement are increasingly advocated in the fields of education and research. We hypothesise that a peer-driven intervention could help patients with OSAS to resume CPAP use after discontinuation.

METHODS AND ANALYSIS

We have designed a prospective, multicentre randomised, controlled trial that will be coconducted by health professionals, a home provider of CPAP and patients as experts or peers or participants. The primary aim is to evaluate the impact of a 6-month, peer-driven intervention to promote the resumption of CPAP after discontinuation. We anticipate that 20% of patients in the intervention group will reuse CPAP as compared with 6% in control group, thus, 104 patients must be included in each group. The secondary aims are (1) to evaluate the impact of the peer-driven intervention on adherence to CPAP compared with the control group (mean adherence and percentage of nights with at least 4 hours' use/night for 70% of nights); (2) to determine factors associated with resumption of CPAP; (3) to assess patient satisfaction with the peer-driven intervention at 6 months; (4) to evaluate the feasibility and the execution of the peer-driven intervention and peer satisfaction. Adult outpatients with an established diagnosis of severe OSA (Apnoea-Hypopnoea Index >30 events/hour) that have stopped using CPAP within 4-12 months after initiation will be recruited. The peers who will perform the intervention will be patients with OSAS treated with CPAP with good adherence (at least 4 hours/night, 70% of nights) and trained in motivational enhancement and cognitive-behavioural therapies. Trained peers will conduct three interviews within 6 months with participants.

ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION

Ethical approval has been obtained from the French Regional Ethics Committee CPP Ouest II-Angers, (IRB 21.02.25.68606 (2021/2025)). All participants will sign written informed consent. The results will be presented at conferences and published in peer-reviewed journals as well as public media.

TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER

NCT04538274.