Longitudinal Analysis Evaluating Self-Reported CPAP Use for OSA during the COVID-19 Pandemic

Area of Science:

• Sleep Medicine
• Respiratory Medicine

Background:

• Continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) therapy is crucial for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) management.
• Suboptimal CPAP adherence is a persistent challenge in OSA treatment.
• The COVID-19 pandemic introduced significant disruptions to healthcare services and daily life, potentially impacting CPAP adherence.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on CPAP adherence and usage patterns.
• To assess changes in sleep quality among OSA patients using CPAP during the pandemic.
• To investigate potential predictors of CPAP use during the pandemic.

Main Methods:

• An online survey was administered to sleep medicine patients at baseline and six months later (January-May 2021).
• Participants provided data on CPAP use, sleep quality, adherence to prescribed use, and daily habits.
• Statistical analyses included chi-square association testing and logistic regression.

Main Results:

• Longitudinal analysis revealed significant improvements in CPAP use as advised and enhanced sleep quality with CPAP use from baseline to follow-up.
• Pre-pandemic sleep study metrics (apnea-hypopnea index, respiratory disturbance index) did not predict self-reported CPAP use during the pandemic.
• Overall, sleep medicine patients demonstrated improved CPAP adherence and reported better sleep quality during the pandemic period.

Conclusions:

• Despite pandemic-related challenges, sleep medicine patients showed positive trends in CPAP adherence and self-reported sleep quality.
• The findings suggest resilience and adaptation in OSA patient management during unprecedented public health circumstances.
• Further research may explore factors contributing to improved adherence and sleep quality in this context.