Effect of Doctor and Device Manager on Adherence with Positive Airway Pressure Therapy in Obstructive Sleep Apnea Patients

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Although many studies have assessed factors related to adherence of PAP therapy, there were no studies about factors related to doctors or device managers. The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship between PAP therapy adherence and doctor or device manager. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: Between February 2013 and June 2015, 163 patients newly diagnosed with moderate to severe OSA in one of five hospitals were enrolled in this study. All patients received 4 weeks of PAP treatment with intervention consisting of mechanical support and motivation by doctor and device manager. Data from the PAP device were obtained following a minimum of an initial 30 days, with adherence defined as >4 h/night on 70% of nights. RESULTS: After 30 days, total adherence rate to PAP therapy was 35.6% (n=58). The adherence rate of device manager ① was 26.3% (31/118), and that of device manager ② was 60% (27/45), and there was statistically significant difference between the two device managers. Furthermore, there were statistically significant differences in the adherence to PAP therapy ranging from 85.6% to 0.0% according to doctor. CONCLUSION: Our study demonstrates that the device manager and doctor may be important factors for good adherence to PAP therapy in patients with OSA.