Assessment of the impact on compliance of a new CPAP system in obstructive sleep apnea

BACKGROUND: Despite the efficacy of continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) for the treatment of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), compliance with therapy remains suboptimal. The aim of this study was to determine whether the use of S9(TM) increased compliance in established CPAP users. METHODS: Subjects with OSA (50) were recruited into the study. When subjects entered the study, 28 days of respective compliance data were downloaded from the patient's usual CPAP device. Subjects trialled the S9 CPAP for 28 days. Subjects then resumed use of their usual CPAP for 28 days. Compliance data from the patient's usual CPAP pre- and post-trialling S9 were compared with data from the S9 CPAP. RESULTS: Patients were significantly more compliant when using the S9 than their usual CPAP device both pre- and post-S9 based on average daily usage. CPAP pre-S9 = 6.58 ± 1.95 (mean hours ± SD), S9 = 7.08 ± 1.18 h and CPAP post-S9 = 6.71 ± 1.72 h. The difference between CPAP pre-S9 and S9 was 0.5 h (p = 0.003). The difference between S9 and CPAP post-S9 was 0.35 h (p = 0.01). There was no significant difference between CPAP pre-S9 and CPAP post-S9 (p = 0.34). Patients also completed questionnaires comparing the S9 system to their usual device. Subjective feedback showed a strong preference for the S9. CONCLUSIONS: Participants were significantly more compliant when using the S9 than their usual CPAP device both pre- and post-S9 use.