Abstract
Introduction: We observed improvements in 1-month CPAP adherence for new OSAS patients supported with telemetrically triggered supporting interventions in a pilot study.
Methods: OSAS patients with AHI >5/h agreeing for long-term CPAP were randomized 1:1 to telemedicine (TM) or control group (non-TM). The primary endpoint was 1-month adherence. TM patients were monitored 3x per week for CPAP usage and mask leakage. Supportive phone calls were undertaken if there were 2 nights of usage <4h or excessive leakage.
Results: 240 patients were randomized. 17 early absconders (11 TM, 6 non-TM) were excluded Among TM patients, 28 (26%) had no, 40 (37%) 1 or 2 and 41 (37%) 3 or more calls. Usage did not differ between groups A significant increase in usage was observed in the quartile of patients with low baseline Epworth sleepiness scale (ESS) scores.
| With telemedicine | Without telemedicine | p-value | |
| N | 109 | 114 | |
| Gender (M/F) | 83.5% | 83.3% | 1 |
| Age (Years) | 55.1 [44.1-63.9] | 57.3 [47-65.3] | 0.597 |
| BMI (kg/m2) | 30.8 [27.3-35.2] | 31 [28-34.9] | 0.614 |
| AHI (events/h) | 37 [23-68] | 49.9 [27-67.5] | 0.0891 |
| ODI (events/h) | 31 [18-58] | 36 [21.5-59.5] | 0.216 |
| ESS (score points) | 10 [6-13.5] | 10 [8-13] | 0.704 |
Baseline characteristics of the study population
| With telemedicine | Without telemedicine | p-value | |
| N | 109 | 114 | |
| Daily usage | 5.23 [3.66-6.45] | 4.93 [3.69-6.56] | 0.868 |
| Proportion of nights with CPAP use | 0.967 [0.8-1] | 0.967 [0.8-1] | 0.876 |
| Prop. of nights with efficient CPAP use | 0.767 [0.47-0.93] | 0.733 [0.5-0.93] | 0.906 |
Conclusion: Targeted patient support to patients with CPAP usage problems in the first month did not result in significant increase in usage.
- Copyright ©the authors 2016
