Adherence to Positive Airway Pressure Therapy in a Cohort of Colombian Patients with Obstructive Sleep Apnea Syndrome

Abstract

Objective To describe the adherence to the use of positive air pressure (PAP) devices in a cohort of patients with sleep apnea syndrome in Colombia. Material and Methods Descriptive cross-sectional study of adult patients treated between January 2018 and December 2019 in the sleep clinic of a private insurer in Colombia. Results The analysis included 12,538 patients (51.3% women) with a mean age of 61.3 years; 10,220 patients (81.5%) use CPAP and 1,550 (12.4%) BIPAP. Only 37% are adherent (> 70% of use for 4 hours or more), adherence rates were highest in the >65 years age groups. 2,305 patients (18.5%) were hospitalized, on average 3.2 times; 515 of these (21.3%) had one or more cardiovascular comorbidities. Conclusion Adherence rates in this sample are lower than those reported elsewhere. They are similar in males and females and tend to improve with age.