Factors predictive of extensive use of CPAP treatment in obstructive sleep apnoea

In patients with obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA), the benefits of continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) therapy are increased for every additional hour of daily CPAP usage. However, the data of predictors of extensive usage is scarce, if any. Therefore, we evaluated potential predictors affecting extensive treatment usage.

In this retrospective study, we compiled an institutional cohort of consecutive patients diagnosed with who started CPAP therapy 1999–2022 and were included in a wireless telemonitoring system in May 2022 (N = 14,394). Patients using CPAP device ≥ 9 h/d were stratified into a younger (< 65 years; N = 124) and an older group (≥ 65 years; N = 131).

We found 255 patients (male 61%) eligible for our study, with a median age of 65 (interquartile range, IQR 55–73) years, and mean body mass index (BMI) of 36 ± 6.9 kg/m². Median CPAP use was 10 h/d (IQR 10–11). BMI and depressive symptoms (DEPS) in the younger group were higher than in the older group (37.9 ± 7 vs. 34.6 ± 6.4 kg/m², p < 0.001 and 11 (IQR 5–20) vs. 7 (IQR 5–14), p = 0.01, respectively). During follow-up, the BMI of the younger group increased (39.9 ± 12.5 kg/m² vs. 37.9 ± 7 kg/m², p = 0.009). DEPS values decreased in the younger group and became comparable between the groups. In multivariate models, the baseline BMI independently predicted extensive CPAP use among the younger age group, and the mask leak among the older group.

BMI at baseline in the younger and mask leak in the older group could be independent predictive factors for extensive use of CPAP.