Year: 2024
Type: article
Study design: Observational Study
Abstract: Objective Obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS) causes multiple breathing interruptions during sleep and increases mortality if left untreated. Continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) therapy improves the prognosis of OSAS; however, patient adherence is often poor. This study investigated the relationship between monthly hospital visits and CPAP adherence to CPAP therapy in patients with OSAS. Methods We studied 119 patients (93 men and 26 women) at the Minami Kyoto Hospital between June 2022 and May 2023. CPAP adherence was measured daily. Hospital/clinic visits were categorized as "Last minute visits at the end of the month" (≥25th of the month) and analyzed in relation to CPAP adherence. Results The average duration of CPAP use duration were 5 h, 47 min, and 43 s. Patients visiting on or after the 25th of month had significantly lower CPAP use (4 h 17 min 05 s) compared to those visiting before the 25th of month (6 h 01 min 47 s, p=0.003). No significant correlation was found between the visit frequency and adherence to CPAP therapy, with a lower visit frequency unexpectedly corresponding to longer CPAP use (p=0.04). Conclusion The timing of monthly clinic visits significantly affected CPAP adherence, with late-month visits associated with poorer adherence. Visit frequency showed no clear correlation with adherence, suggesting that other factors may have influenced CPAP use. Further supportive interventions can enhance adherence and improve the treatment outcomes.
Source: Internal Medicine
Authors: Kensuke Sumi, Tomomasa Tsuboi, Yuichi Chihara, Nobuhiro Okagaki, Kaori Maeda, Mana Abe, Osamu Fukuda, Kenji Nishida, Atsuo Sato
Language: English
Subfield: Physiology
Field: Medicine
Domain: Health Sciences
Open Access status: diamond
OpenAlex ID: W4403715567