Distance follow-up by a remote medical care centre improves adherence to CPAP in patients with obstructive sleep apnoea over the short and long term

• Published in: Journal of telemedicine and telecare 2024-03, p.1357633X241238483-1357633X241238483
• Main Authors: Schisano, Matteo, Libra, Alessandro, Rizzo, Ludovica, Morana, Giorgio, Mancuso, Salvatore, Ficili, Antonella, Campagna, Davide, Vancheri, Carlo, Bonsignore, Maria R, Spicuzza, Lucia
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• ISSN: 1357-633X; 1758-1109
• DOI: 10.1177/1357633X241238483

Adherence to continuous positive air pressure (CPAP) in patients with obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA) has remained invariably low over the last decades. Remote monitoring of the nocturnal CPAP treatment, within telemedicine (TM)-based follow-up programs, in these patients has been suggested as a potential tool to improve adherence and release the workload of sleep units. The aim of this study was therefore to assess whether a follow-up program carried out by a Remote Medical Care Centre (RMCC), outside the sleep unit, improves adherence to CPAP in the short and long term in patients with OSA. In this pilot protocol, we enrolled 37 patients starting CPAP in our Sleep Centre (SC). After three months of standard care in our SC, patients initiated a six-month remote follow-up carried out by the RMCC, functioning as an intermediary between patients and SC. Monthly reports and indication for face-to-face visits were sent to the SC for six months. After this period patients returned to usual care for one year. Results were compared with those obtained in 38 patients (controls) followed with usual care over the same time range. Mean nightly use of CPAP increased from 3.2 ± 2.4 h pre-RMCC to 5.2 ± 1.9 h post-RMCC (