Compliance with CPAP in elderly patients with OSA.
Background: Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is common in the general population and especially in the geriatric age group. Nasal continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) is a highly effective treatment but can be difficult for some patients to use.Objective: We investigated the question if older patients were less compliant with CPAP therapy than younger patients and may not realize its benefits.Methods: We conducted a prospective, non-randomized study comparing use of CPAP in patients over age 65 with patients under age 65. One hundred and seven consecutive patients with a new diagnosis of obstructive sleep apnea were started on therapy with nasal CPAP. We obtained follow-up data on all 107 patients. Compliance with CPAP was assessed by patients subjective report of use and, in a subset of 21 patients, by objective measurement using a microchip installed in the CPAP unit that measures actual hours of use at therapeutic pressure.Results: The percentage of patients using CPAP regularly was not different in the two groups: 70% of patients in the over age 65 group used CPAP regularly vs. 72% of patients under age 65. The over 65 group used CPAP 6.5 nights per week, an average of 6.5 h of use per night. The under 65 group was not significantly different, using CPAP 6.8 nights per week, a mean of 6.7 h of use per night.Conclusion: Patients over age 65 are able to tolerate CPAP as well as patients under age 65.
Parish
JM
Mayo Clinic Sleep Disorders Center, Mayo Clinic, Scottsdale, AZ, Scottsdale, USA
Lyng
PJ
Wisbey
J