Adherence to CPAP therapy for sleep apnea in patients aged over 70 years old

PURPOSE: Adherence to continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) syndrome has not been established in patients over 70 years of age, whereas several studies have reported adherence below that age. This trial was designed to address this evidence gap. METHODS: Consecutive senior (> 70 years) patients with OSA, mean respiratory event index (REI) 34/h, body mass index (BMI) 31 kg/m(2), and junior (< 50 years) patients (REI 37/h, BMI 31 kg/m(2)) were included. RESULTS: At year follow-up among 72 senior patients (35 women) and 71 junior patients (17 women), there was no difference in the percentage of patients abandoning CPAP (senior 47% vs. junior 43%) or in CPAP daily use (4:53 ± 2:44 hh:min vs. 4:23 ± 3:00 hh:min). CONCLUSIONS: CPAP adherence in senior patients with OSA was not poorer than that of a younger group of OSA patients. Advanced age should not be an obstacle to CPAP initiation.