LAUSR

Untreated obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) can impact numerous critical organ systems with drastic health ramifications while decreasing daily quality of life of individuals and their family. While Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP) can be highly effective, adherence is remarkably low. This is a preliminary initiative to gauge patient perceptions of a new non-surgical nasopharyngeal airway (NPA) device in development for OSA. An IRB-approved single-site study surveyed 10 patients with polysomnography-confirmed OSA and at least 3 months’ experience using CPAP therapy. An independent expert in patient-reported outcomes helped develop the instrument to understand perceptions and attitudes towards CPAP and gauge initial reactions to the NPA-OSA device. This was reviewed by three Sleep Medicine experts for content validity. An NPA-OSA device description and insertion training video were provided to elicit feedback. Sixty-minute telephone interviews were conducted with OSA patients and transcribed by the independent expert. Ten patients (4 male), participated with an age range from 31 to 82 years. Nine used CPAP nightly, although described situations when they would not. All participants described significant dissatisfaction with some aspect of their CPAP treatment (e.g., restrictions on sleep position, difficulty cleaning and traveling, reliance on electricity), though most cope and appreciate therapeutic benefit. Respondents were motivated to find new treatment options for OSA, but were not actively seeking new options. Surgical treatment was considered by most, but with fear of unsuccessful outcomes/complications. A few of the respondents had previously used oral appliances with limited success. When introduced to the NPA device, most participants were interested in trying it. Positive attributes were non-invasive, portable and not requiring electricity. Ultimately, participants believed that the device had the potential to improve sleep. Primary concerns were the potential of pain during insertion, discomfort during use, and treatment effectiveness. All those interviewed were interested in participating in a clinical trial using the device. Patients successfully using CPAP may still be dissatisfied and motivated to explore new options. The NPA-OSA device was considered a compelling option. This work was funded by the University of Michigan Coulter program.