Insomnia symptoms influence CPAP compliance

Area of Science:

• Sleep Medicine
• Respiratory Medicine
• Psychiatry

Background:

• Obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS) is a prevalent condition requiring effective treatment.
• Continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) therapy is a primary treatment for OSAS.
• Patient adherence to CPAP therapy is crucial for treatment success but often challenging.

Purpose of the Study:

• To identify baseline parameters influencing 6-month CPAP therapy compliance in OSAS patients.
• To investigate the role of demographic, polysomnographic, and psychometric factors in CPAP adherence.

Main Methods:

• A prospective study involving 73 OSAS patients undergoing CPAP therapy.
• Baseline data collected included demographics, BMI, polysomnography (AHI, ODI, O2 saturation), and psychometric assessments (e.g., Epworth Sleepiness Scale, Regensburg Insomnia Scale).
• Correlation and linear regression analyses were used to evaluate the impact of baseline parameters on 6-month CPAP compliance.

Main Results:

• The Regensburg Insomnia Scale (RIS) score at baseline was a significant predictor of 6-month CPAP compliance (r = -0.376, R² = 0.14, p < 0.001).
• No other baseline parameter showed a significant correlation with CPAP compliance.
• Patients with less than 4 hours/night of CPAP use reported higher RIS scores, indicating more severe insomnia symptoms.

Conclusions:

• Pre-treatment insomnia symptoms, as measured by the RIS, negatively affect long-term CPAP compliance in OSAS patients.
• These findings suggest that insomnia may be a significant barrier to successful CPAP therapy.
• Further research is warranted to explore whether treating insomnia symptoms can improve CPAP adherence.