Predictors of continuous positive airway pressure use during the first week of treatment

Summary This study aimed to identify pre‐treatment and immediate early treatment factors predicting continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) use during the first week of therapy, when the pattern of non‐adherence is established. Four domains of potential predictors were examined: pre‐treatment demographic and clinical factors, patients’ perceived self‐efficacy, treatment delivery (mask leak and bothering side effects) and immediate disease reduction (residual respiratory events and flow limitation). The Autoset™ Clinical System objectively documented daily CPAP use, mask leak, residual respiratory events and flow limitation. Ninety‐one CPAP‐naive patients with newly diagnosed obstructive sleep apnea were followed for 1 week after treatment initiation. Mean CPAP daily use during the first week was 3.4 ± 2.7 h, with significantly lower use observed in black than non‐black participants (2.7 versus 4.4 h, respectively, P  = 0.002). Less intimacy with partners caused by CPAP was the only treatment side effect correlated with CPAP use ( r  = −0.300, P  = 0.025). Reduced CPAP use during the first week was associated simultaneously with being black, higher residual apnea–hypopnea index and the treatment side effect of less intimacy with partners. The three factors together accounted for 25.4% of the variance in the CPAP use ( R 2  = 0.254, P  < 0.01). These data suggest the need to assess the impact of CPAP on intimacy and troubleshooting aspects of the treatment that interfere with sexual relationships. Assessing the presence of residual respiratory events may be important in promoting CPAP adherence. The association of race and CPAP use needs to be explored further by including more socioeconomic information.