Effect of personality traits on adherence with positive airway pressure therapy in obstructive sleep apnea patients

Sleep Breath. 2018 May;22(2):369-376. doi: 10.1007/s11325-017-1559-5. Epub 2017 Aug 30.

Abstract

Purpose: Patient adherence with positive airway pressure (PAP) therapy is a significant clinical problem in obstructive sleep apnea treatment. Personality traits may be a factor for non-adherence. The aim of this study is to investigate the relationship between PAP therapy adherence and patient personality traits.

Methods: Patients were screened and recruited during their visit to a sleep clinic. Baseline data were collected from each patient's electronic chart. Behavioral inhibition system/behavioral activation system (BIS/BAS) scales, short measure of five-factor model personality traits (mini-IPIP), positive and negative affect score (PANAS), and appetitive motivation scores (AMS) tests were used to measure personality traits. Data from the PAP device were obtained following a minimum of an initial 30 days, with adherence defined as >4 h/night on 70% of nights. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression and Pearson correlation tests were used to analyze the data.

Results: A total of 400 patients were recruited. Three hundred twenty-one patients had all the data and were included in the study. Behavioral activation system-fun seeking (BAS-FS) and, to a certain extent, negative affect were significantly associated with adherence. Intellect/imagination was marginally significant. Additionally, older age (>65 years), profession, PAP type, side effects, efficiency, apnea-hypopnea index (AHI), and residual AHI showed significant associations with patient adherence with PAP therapy. Multivariate analysis revealed that BAS-FS was still a significant predictor of adherence even after adjusting for other covariates.

Conclusion: BAS-FS, negative affect, and intellect/imagination are significant factors for adherence to PAP therapy in obstructive sleep apnea patients.

Keywords: Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA); Personality trait; Positive airway pressure (PAP) adherence.

Publication types

  • Observational Study

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Continuous Positive Airway Pressure / psychology*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Patient Compliance / psychology*
  • Personality*
  • Polysomnography
  • Prospective Studies
  • Sleep Apnea, Obstructive / psychology*
  • Sleep Apnea, Obstructive / therapy*