THE EFFECTS OF THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC ON CONTINUOUS POSITIVE AIRWAY PRESSURE (CPAP) ADHERENCE IN PEDIATRIC PATIENTS WITH OBSTRUCTIVE SLEEP APNEA (OSA)

ABSTRACT

Introduction: CPAP Adherence in children with OSA is often sub-optimal and there is concern for worsening during the COVID-19 pandemic. Although telehealth has been used in sleep clinics during the pandemic, there is little known about telemedicine's effectiveness in specialized care. The purpose of this study is to compare CPAP adherence and related outcome metrics in pediatric OSA patients seen before and during the COVID-19 pandemic and between those seen in person and by telemedicine. Methods: This retrospective cohort consisted of patients who were diagnosed with OSA, prescribed CPAP, and were seen in a CPAP clinic between 1/1/2018 and 9/31/2021. CPAP adherence data and outcome metrics including the Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS), Michigan Sleep-disordered Breathing (PSQ) and Pediatric Quality of Life questionnaires (Ped-QOL) were collected. Only patients with one pre-pandemic and at least one post-pandemic visit were included. All variables were reported as mean± SD. Statistical comparison was performed using the mixed-effects model. Results: 147 patients met criteria with 353 total visits. 147 were before the pandemic (pre) and 206 were during the pandemic (post). Demographic data indicated 57% male, 82% white, and 63% 12 years and older. Post-pandemic visits consisted of 78% telemedicine. Comparison between pre and post pandemic data demonstrated no statistically significant differences in % CPAP usage>4hrs (71±31% [pre] vs 73±33% [post], p=0.95), ESS (6.4±5.5 [pre] vs 5.9±5.8 [post], p=0.27), or PSQ (0.38±0.22 [pre] vs 0.36±0.22 [post] p=0.90). However, there was a significant difference in Psychosocial Health domain of Ped-QOL (68.6±19.4 [pre] vs 74.5±17.9 [post], p=0.012). Comparison between telemedicine and in-person visits during the pandemic showed no differences in %CPAP usage>4hrs (73±31% [Tele] vs 73±37%, p=0.73), ESS, PSQ, or Ped-QOL. Conclusion: In our cohort, children with OSA had no significant changes in CPAP adherence, sleepiness, or OSA symptoms during the COVID-19 pandemic. CPAP telehealth visits provided the same effectiveness as in-person visits, as evidenced by similar adherences and outcome metrics. Interestingly, patients reported higher psychosocial health during the pandemic despite no difference in CPAP adherence. Factors not related to OSA management may contribute to the improvement of quality of life in this population.