Patterns of continuous positive airway pressure adherence during the first 3 months of treatment in children

Objective: To determine predictors of continuous airway pressure (CPAP) adherence in children.

Study design: Analysis of CPAP usage data for children between 2004 and 2008.

Results: During the study period, 32 children were prescribed CPAP; 2 failed to accept the mask, and 30 (mean ± SD age 9.1 ± 5.3 years) were included in further analysis. In the first 2 to 3 months of treatment, average (± SD) CPAP use was 4.7 ± 2.7 hours/night. Hours of use were not affected by age, sex, baseline obstructive apnea-hypopnea index, intellectual disability, or socioeconomic status (P > .05). Of the children, 10 (33%) used CPAP for one hour or more on more than 6 nights per week and were defined as consistent users. Consistent users treated with CPAP for significantly longer on nights of use than intermittent users (7.2 ± 2.0 hours vs 4.7 ± 2.4 hours, P = .008). The hours of use differed between the two groups after the second night of treatment (P < .05), and this difference persisted for the first 3 months of therapy.

Conclusions: Children who attempted to use CPAP at least 6 nights a week were treated with CPAP for a longer time on the nights of use. Usage in the first week of treatment predicted longer term use over 2 to 3 months. Monitoring adherence in the first week of treatment and intervening in cases of low adherence may improve long-term CPAP use.