Impact of a multimodal telemonitoring intervention on CPAP adherence in symptomatic low-cardiovascular risk sleep apnea: a randomized controlled trial

Background: One of the major challenges in treating obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is to achieve adequate continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) adherence. We determined the effect of a multimodal telemonitoring intervention on CPAP adherence, quality of life and functional status in symptomatic OSA patients with low cardiovascular risk. Study Design and Methods: In a multicenter, randomized controlled trial, newly diagnosed OSA patients were randomly assigned to multimodal telemonitoring(TM) for 6 months vs usual care (UC). TMconsisted ofbuilt-in electronic alert algorithms for early adjustment of CPAP treatment in case of side effects, leaks or persistent residual events.The outcomesincluded CPAP adherence, daily symptoms such as fatigue and sleepiness, and quality of life. Results: Of 206 OSA patients aged 50.6 [42.1;58.1] (median [IQR]) years;predominantly male (63%) with body mass index of 30.6 [26.8;35.1] kg/m2and an AHI of 45.2 [34.0;60.0] events/hour) 102 received UC and 104 TM. After 6 months of treatment, CPAPadherence was similar in the two groups when assessed either by mean duration of usage (4.73±2.48 hours/night in the TM group and 5.08±2.44 hours/night in the UC group, p=0.30) or in % of patients adherent to treatment (over 4 hours usage/night, > 70% nights; 64% in TM vs 72% in UC, p=0.24). There was no significant difference between the groups in effect size of improvement in fatigue and sleepiness. Interpretation: In severe OSA patients with low cardiovascular risk, multimodal telemonitoring did not increase CPAP adherence. For both TM and UC groups similar improvements in daytime symptoms were achieved.