Early CPAP use identifies subsequent adherence to CPAP therapy

Study Objectives: To explore the relationship between specific factors such as sex and early continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) use, and 30-day adherence to CPAP therapy. Design and Setting: Retrospective study conducted at a single center in southeast Michigan. Patients: One hundred patients with obstructive sleep apnea who were recently initiated on CPAP therapy with electronic adherence information relayed from the CPAP device to a laboratory-based computer through telephone modem. Interventions: N/A. Measurements and Results: An empiric threshold value of objective CPAP use of greater than 4 hours per night measured 3 days following CPAP initiation was predictive of level of CPAP adherence measured 30 days later. Furthermore, CPAP adherence was directly proportional to age (R = 0.25, P = .018). There were no sex-related differences in adherence to CPAP therapy. Conclusions: Long-term adherence to CPAP therapy can be predicted as early as 3 days following CPAP initiation. The study also demonstrates that younger age and African-American race are independently associated with lower CPAP adherence.