Long-Term Adherence in Overweight Patients with Obstructive Sleep Apnea and Hypertension-A Pilot Prospective Cohort...

Area of Science:

• Sleep Medicine
• Cardiology
• Pulmonology

Background:

• Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is linked to significant health issues, including cardiovascular disease, depression, and reduced quality of life.
• Positive airway pressure (PAP) therapy is a common treatment, but its long-term effectiveness and patient adherence require further investigation.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess long-term adherence to PAP therapy in overweight patients with moderate-to-severe OSA and hypertension.
• To analyze the impact of long-term PAP use on weight, sleepiness, quality of life, and psychological well-being.

Main Methods:

• A pilot prospective cohort study involving overweight patients with moderate-severe OSA and hypertension naive to PAP therapy.
• Patients received initial PAP therapy and lifestyle education, followed by a 5-year telephone-based interview and questionnaire assessment of PAP compliance, physical activity, diet, anxiety, and quality of life.

Main Results:

• After five years, only 39.58% of patients demonstrated adherence to PAP therapy.
• Long-term PAP use was associated with sustained weight loss, improved blood pressure control, reduced sleepiness, and enhanced quality of life.
• PAP compliance did not correlate with increased physical activity or healthier dietary habits.

Conclusions:

• Despite suboptimal adherence rates, long-term positive airway pressure therapy offers significant clinical benefits for overweight patients with moderate-to-severe obstructive sleep apnea and hypertension.
• Further strategies are needed to improve patient compliance with PAP therapy to maximize its health benefits.