Positive Airway Pressure Adherence, Patient Satisfaction for OSA Treatment

There is a relationship between excessive daytime sleepiness (EDS) and positive airway pressure (PAP) adherence for patients with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), according to recent research.

The findings are being presented in a poster presentation at Psych Congress. On-site attendees can view live poster presentations at the Poster Pavillion on Saturday, October 30, 2021 at 1:30pm CST in Hall 1-2.

“There is a high rate of comorbid obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) among patients with psychiatric disorders, including depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, and post-traumatic stress disorder. Excessive daytime sleepiness (EDS) is a key symptom associated with OSA that negatively impacts quality of life,” wrote Sairam Parthasarathy, MD, Professor, University of Arizona, Tucson, Arizona, and co-researchers.

The relationship between EDS in OSA and patient satisfaction with care has been previously undocumented. Researchers aimed to evaluate the relationship between EDS, PAP adherence, and patient satisfaction with care within a population of patients with OSA.

Researchers collected online survey results via Evidation Health’s Achievement app from patients with self-reported clinician diagnosis of OSA between January 1, 2015 and March 31, 2020. Participants completed the Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS) in addition to surveys on PAP usage and patient satisfaction. A total of 2289 patients responded.
Researchers categorized PAP usage as nonuse, nonadherent, intermediate, or highly adherent based on participant responses.

A total of 700 patients were nonuse, 153 were nonadherent, 225 were intermediate, and 1211 were highly adherent. 

Seventy-two percent of patients reported being satisfied with their healthcare providers, and 65% reported being satisfied with their OSA care.

A total of 47% of nonuse patients reported EDS, while 52% of nonadherent patients, 53% of intermediate patients, and 36% of highly adherent patients reported EDS.

Among PAP users, higher satisfaction with OSA care and healthcare providers was associated with adherence. Patients who reported EDS were associated with less satisfaction in healthcare providers. Additional hours of nightly PAP use were associated with lower ESS scores.

“EDS was prevalent among highly adherent PAP users and was associated with lower satisfaction. Adherence was associated with greater satisfaction,” concluded Parthasarathy et al. 

Reference
Parthasarathy, Sairam, Hyman, Danielle, et al. A real-world study assessing the relationship between positive airway pressure treatment, excessive daytime sleepiness, and patient Satisfaction in Obstructive Sleep Apnea. Poster presented at: Psych Congress; October 29-November1, 2021.