Factors affecting obstructive sleep apnea patients' use of upper airway stimulation treatment

Upper airway stimulation (UAS) is an alternative treatment for obstructive sleep apnea that must be activated nightly. Although the implanted device offsets the mask- or pressure-related side effects often associated with continuous positive airway pressure therapy, some UAS recipients do not use the therapy consistently. This study qualitatively explored factors associated with UAS usage in obstructive sleep apnea patients.

Semistructured interviews were conducted with 24 obstructive sleep apnea patients who received UAS treatment. Twelve patients were categorized as high users with mean usage of ≥ 4 hours/night and 12 were categorized as low users with < 4 hours/night or nonuse. Interviews explored patients' experiences regarding barriers and facilitators to UAS use and their advice for new UAS recipients. Demographic and clinical data including the Insomnia Severity Index and Generalized Anxiety Disorder Scale were collected.

Compared to high users, low users had higher levels of insomnia (mean Insomnia Severity Index: 3.6 vs 15.2, respectively) and anxiety (mean Generalized Anxiety Disorder Scale: 3.4 vs 6.9). High users reported more positive experiences with UAS treatment, such as improvements in symptoms and convenience of treatment, as facilitators of use. Low users tended to focus on the negative aspects of treatment, particularly stimulation-related discomfort and associated sleep disturbance.

Insomnia with or without anxiety contributes to differing patient-reported experiences in high vs low user groups, with increased insomnia symptoms among low users. Improved understanding of the specific barrier and facilitators of UAS adherence may drive better long-term use and more personalized management strategies, including concomitant insomnia treatment.

Registry: ClinicalTrials.gov; Name: Stimulation Therapy for Apnea: Reporting Thoughts (START); URL: https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT04768543; Identifier: NCT04768543.

Luyster FS, Ni Q, Lee K, et al. Factors affecting obstructive sleep apnea patients' use of upper airway stimulation treatment. J Clin Sleep Med. 2022;18(9):2207-2215.