Effect of rapid eye movement-related obstructive sleep apnea on adherence to continuous positive airway pressure

Objective Rapid eye movement (REM)-related obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is characterized by respiratory events such as apnea and hypopnea predominately or exclusively during REM sleep. Several studies have revealed clinical predictors of adherence to the use of continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP). However, the effect of REM-related OSA on adherence to CPAP use remains unclear. Therefore, we investigated the effects of REM-related OSA on adherence to CPAP use 6 months after treatment initiation. Methods We enrolled 161 patients in this study and divided them into 3 groups: the good adherence, poor adherence, and dropout groups. We compared polysomnographic data and clinical findings, including those regarding morbidity of REM-related OSA, among the three groups to identify predictors of adherence to CPAP use. Results None of the 43 patients in the good adherence group had REM-related OSA. Multivariate logistic regression analysis of the good adherence and dropout groups indicated that REM-related OSA was the only factor associated with adherence to CPAP use (odds ratio, 41.984; 95% confidence interval, 2.257-781.007). Conclusions REM-related OSA is a reliable risk factor for dropout from CPAP therapy.