LAUSR

Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is a prevalent disorder affecting 9-38% of the global population and is linked to multiple health complications. Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP) is regarded as the gold standard treatment for OSA, but its efficacy is limited by poor patient compliance. Studies have linked many clinical and lifestyle factors to CPAP adherence, but have produced conflicting outcomes. Based on the current literature, it is assumed patients diagnosed with severe OSA are more likely to be compliant with CPAP due to a greater improvement in quality of life. The goal of this study is to compare the compliance rate of CPAP for patients with mild, moderate, and severe OSA, as well as identify other potential predictors of CPAP compliance. This study is a retrospective chart review of 100 patients who were newly diagnosed with OSA and started on CPAP between January 1, 2017 and January 1, 2018. Baseline demographic data, past medical history, OSA severity, Epworth sleepiness scale, and compliance to CPAP therapy were recorded. Compliance was defined as CPAP usage greater than four hours per night for at least 21 days per month. Mean follow-up time after CPAP initiation was 3.19 months. Overall 77% of patients were compliant to CPAP therapy, of which 48% were males and 52% were females (P=0.48). CPAP compliance rates for mild OSA (79.3%), moderate OSA (73.7%), and severe OSA (78.8%) showed no significant difference for independence (P=0.83) or correlation with compliance (P=0.99). Only seasonal allergic rhinitis showed a positive association with CPAP adherence (P=0.031) and depression showed a negative association (P=0.027). The level of OSA severity is not a significant predictor of short-term CPAP compliance among newly diagnosed patients. Parkview Physicians Group, Indiana School of Medicine - Fort Wayne, and the Dr. Luis and Anne B Schneider Foundation.