SLEEP 2011 Abstract Supplement

B. Clinical Sleep Science I. Sleep Disorders – Breathing
improve adherence have had inconsistent benefits. Education in group
settings has been shown to improve outcomes in other disease states.
The purpose of this study was to compare the impact of individual versus
group educational programs on CPAP adherence.
Methods: Retrospective review of consecutive patients newly diagnosed
with OSA between January 2009 and March 2010. All patients
received extensive education prior to initiating CPAP therapy either
individually or as part of a group educational program. We compared
objective measures of CPAP use between these two groups.
Results: 1858 patients (996 group, 862 education) were included.
79.1% were men with a mean age of 47.4±10.5 years. Mean BMI and
apnea-hypopnea index were 30.3±5.1 Kg/m2 and 31.9±22.2 events/
hour, respectively. Mean baseline ESS was 13.1±5.2. Patients who underwent
a group educational program had significantly greater use of
CPAP. Specifically, percentage of nights CPAP was used (66.4% vs.
61.6%, p=0.022) and the hours used per night CPAP was utilized (4.0h
vs. 3.7h, p=0.043) were greater in those undergoing group versus individual
education. Discontinuation was also less common among those
undergoing group education (15.6% vs. 10.0%, p