title: Early CPAP use identifies subsequent adherence to CPAP therapy.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  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.
  
  
  METHODS
  Retrospective study conducted at a single center in southeast Michigan.
  
  
  METHODS
  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.
  
  
  METHODS
  N/A.
  
  
  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.
authors.affiliation: Section of Pulmonary & Critical Care, Southern Arizona Veterans Affairs Health Care System (SAVAHCS), 3601 South 6th Avenue, Tucson, AZ 85723, USA. rohit.budhiraja@va.gov
authors.forename: Rohit
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Budhiraja
authors.forename: Sairam
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Parthasarathy
authors.forename: Christopher L
authors.initials: CL
authors.lastname: Drake
authors.forename: Thomas
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Roth
authors.forename: Imran
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Sharief
authors.forename: Pooja
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Budhiraja
authors.forename: Victoria
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Saunders
authors.forename: David W
authors.initials: DW
authors.lastname: Hudgel
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D045422:Continuous Positive Airway Pressure / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008134:Long-Term Care; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010349:Patient Compliance / Q000523:psychology*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D020181:Sleep Apnea, Obstructive / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy*; D013686:Telemetry