Monitoring Seasonal Compliance of Patients with Obstructive Sleep Apnea Using CPAP Systems via SD Card.

Background: Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is a common disorder characterized by recurrent upper airway collapse during sleep, leading to neurological and cardiovascular adverse effects.

Objective: The present study aimed to explore seasonal compliance with Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP) therapy among OSA patients in Greece.

Methods: Data from 954 OSA patients using CPAP devices were collected during summer and winter months. Factors evaluated included the Apnea-Hypopnea Index (AHI), mask type, mask leaks, and hours of CPAP device usage.

Results: The majority of patients were male (78.2%) and aged 60 years or above (58.5%). Most patients had been using CPAP for over 2 years (82.8%), with auto CPAP devices and nasal or pillow masks being most common. Compliance was observed in 57.7% of patients, while 22.1% were non-compliant. A significant number of patients (8.2% and 12%) were compliant only in summer or winter, respectively. Compliance was influenced by duration of CPAP use, BMI up to 25, and the use of nasal/pillow masks. Higher compliance was associated with lower summer severity and both low and severe winter severity. Logistic regression analysis confirmed these findings.

Conclusion: The findings suggest that utilizing CPAP device data can provide actionable insights on seasonal compliance among OSA patients. Summer compliance is lower, and the use of nasal/pillow masks and auto CPAP devices is recommended for improved compliance.