@article {SchochP441, author = {Otto D. Schoch and Florent Baty and Jolanda Niedermann and Jochen J. Ruediger and Martin H. Brutsche}, title = {Predictors of long-term PAP-adherence in obstructive sleep apnea syndrome}, volume = {40}, number = {Suppl 56}, elocation-id = {P441}, year = {2012}, publisher = {European Respiratory Society}, abstract = {Introduction: Few studies have assessed long-term adherence to positive airway pressure therapy (PAP) in OSAS. The aim of this retrospective study was to determine adherence and its potential predictors.Methods: All patients (pts) treated at the St.Gallen sleep centre from 11/2001 to 4/2011 were included for analysis of baseline data and follow-up information. The primary dependent variable of interest was continued use of PAP. Kaplan-Meier estimates and Cox-proportional hazards regression were used to model the risk of loss of adherence. A multivariate regression analysis was performed for age, gender, Epworth sleepiness score (ESS), BMI, apnea-hypopnea index (AHI) and oxygen desaturation index (ODI) at baseline.Results: During the study period, of 2160 pts started on PAP, 42(2\%) died on PAP, 91(4\%) no longer needed PAP (weight reduction, alternative treatments) and 311(14\%) were lost to follow-up. In 1716 pts, adherence at 1y was 74(95\% CI: 71-76)\%, at 5y 56(53-59)\%, and at 8y 52(49-56)\%. Results of univariate and multivariate analyses are summarized in the figure.Conclusion: Adherence is independently associated with clinical (ESS) and polysomnographic (ODI, AHI) measures of OSAS severity, but not with BMI, age, gender. Most pts who stopped PAP were lost to follow-up. With a relatively low long-term adherence, intensified efforts and alternative or novel follow-up options (e.g. telemetry) to support such patients should be tested.}, issn = {0903-1936}, URL = {https://erj.ersjournals.com/content/40/Suppl_56/P441}, eprint = {https://erj.ersjournals.com/content/40/Suppl_56/P441.full.pdf}, journal = {European Respiratory Journal} }