Therapeutic adherence in patients with Obstructive Sleep Apnea Syndrome: a retrospective cohort study

Obstructive Sleep Apnea Syndrome (OSAS) is a respiratory disorder characterized by repeated episodes of partial or complete airway obstruction. Continuous Positive Airway Pressure therapy (CPAP) is effective in improving sleep quality and daytime sleepiness. The aim of the study was to evaluate therapeutic adherence in a sample of patients with OSAS from the Pneumology ward of the "Cardinal Massaia" Hospital in Asti.

A sample of 221 patients with OSAS were collected and retrospectively analyzed from January 2019 to December 2021. Ventilation hours during device titration (T1), possible second titration (T2) and one-year control (T3) were considered. The use of the CPAP device equal to or greater than 4 h/night was considered as therapeutic adherence. Age, gender, severity of OSAS, smoking, interface used and Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS) score were considered.

The analysis data showed that the percentage of adhesion during T1 was 84%. Only 9% needed T2, with 84% adherence. At T3 the adherence was 86%. Correlation studies showed that only smoking had a positive correlation with adherence, while OSAS severity, gender, ESS score, interface used and age had no statistically significant correlation.

It was important to understand that OSAS is a disease with prolonged treatment, which affects the life of the person and his family. Therefore, the concept of assistance network was born, which sees the healthcare operators, the person and his family as the main actors involved in a care process.