Adequate health literacy is associated with adherence to continuous positive airway pressure in adults with obstructive sleep apnea

Abstract Study Objectives Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is a chronic disease with significant health implications and adequate adherence to continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) is essential for effective treatment. In many chronic diseases, health literacy has been found to predict treatment adherence and outcomes. In this study, the aim was to determine the health literacy of a sleep clinic population and evaluate the association between health literacy and CPAP adherence. Methods A prospective cohort study was undertaken, recruiting 104 consecutive patients with a variety of sleep diagnoses. The Short Form Rapid Estimate of Adult Literacy in Medicine (REALM-SF), a validated questionnaire, was administered to measure health literacy. In a sub-group of 91 patients prescribed CPAP for OSA, CPAP usage was measured, with adequate usage defined as greater than 4 h/night CPAP therapy. Results Seventy-one percent of the sleep clinic cohort was found to have adequate health literacy, as measured by the REALM-SF. In those prescribed CPAP for OSA, inadequate health literacy was associated with a twofold increased risk for inadequate CPAP usage (adjusted odds ratio [OR] 2.9, 95% CI: 1.1 to 8.22, p = 0.045). There was a 1.7 h/night difference in median CPAP usage comparing those with adequate to inadequate health literacy (4.6 h vs. 6.3 h/night). Conclusions The majority of this sleep disorders cohort had adequate health literacy as measured by the REALM-SF questionnaire. However, inadequate health literacy appears to be an independent predictor of treatment adherence and may represent a modifiable risk factor of poor treatment outcomes in OSA.

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P032 Adequate health literacy predicts adherence to continuous positive airway pressure in adults with Obstructive Sleep Apnoea

SLEEP Advances ◽

10.1093/sleepadvances/zpab014.080 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 2 (Supplement_1) ◽

pp. A31-A32

Author(s):

C Ellender ◽

S Le Feuvre ◽

M Boyde ◽

S Winter ◽

B Duce ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Health Literacy ◽

Continuous Positive Airway Pressure ◽

Treatment Adherence ◽

Obstructive Sleep Apnoea ◽

Airway Pressure ◽

Positive Airway Pressure ◽

Sleep Apnoea ◽

Adequate Health Literacy ◽

Obstructive Sleep ◽

Inadequate Health Literacy

Abstract Study Objectives Obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA) is a chronic disease with significant health implications and adequate adherence to continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) is essential for effective treatment. In many chronic diseases, health literacy has been found to predict treatment adherence and outcomes. In this study, the aim was to determine the health literacy of a sleep clinic population and evaluate the association between health literacy and CPAP adherence. Methods A prospective cohort study was undertaken, recruiting 104 consecutive patients with a variety of sleep diagnoses attending the clinic. The Short Form Rapid Estimate of Adult Literacy in Medicine (REALM-SF), a validated questionnaire was administered to measure health literacy. In a sub-group of 91 patients prescribed CPAP for OSA, CPAP usage was measured, with adequate usage defined as greater than 4hrs/night CPAP therapy. Results 71% of the sleep clinic cohort was found to have adequate health literacy as measured by the REALM-SF. In those prescribed CPAP for OSA, inadequate health literacy was associated with a two fold increase risk for inadequate CPAP usage (adjusted odds ratio 2.75, 95% CI: 1.00 - 7.6, p = 0.05). There was a 1.7hr/night difference in median CPAP usage comparing those with adequate to inadequate health literacy (4.6hrs versus 6.3hrs/night). Conclusions The majority of this sleep disorders cohort had adequate health literacy as measured by the REALM-SF questionnaire. However inadequate health literacy appears to be an independent predictor of treatment adherence, and may represent a potentially modifiable risk factor of poor treatment outcomes in OSA.

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0705 High Incidence Of Inadequate Health Literacy In Adults With Obstructive Sleep Apnea Is Not Associated With Positive Airway Pressure Use

SLEEP ◽

10.1093/sleep/zsaa056.701 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 43 (Supplement_1) ◽

pp. A268-A269

Author(s):

A J Watach ◽

B Saconi ◽

A M Sawyer

Keyword(s):

Obstructive Sleep Apnea ◽

Logistic Regression ◽

Health Literacy ◽

Sleep Apnea ◽

Airway Pressure ◽

Positive Airway Pressure ◽

Lead Author ◽

Obstructive Sleep ◽

The Relationship ◽

Inadequate Health Literacy

Abstract Introduction Inadequate health literacy (HL) is associated with 1.5 - 3 times increased risk for poor health outcomes, nonadherence and lack of skills needed to manage one’s own health. Inadequate HL prevalence in adults with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) may be as high as 30%. The relationship between HL and positive airway pressure (PAP) adherence has been rarely examined. Methods A secondary analysis of prospective observational data was conducted to: 1) examine the prevalence of inadequate HL in adults with newly-diagnosed OSA and 2) determine if inadequate HL is associated with 1-wk and 1-mo PAP use. HL was measured using a 3-item Health Literacy Screening Questionnaire. Descriptive statistics, multiple linear regression, and logistic regression were used. Results Participants (n=67) were white (85%), males (52%) and females (48%), middle-aged (50±12 yrs), 64.2% had a middle to high school education and severe OSA (mean AHI 38.2±21 events/hr). Mean PAP use was 4.62±2.43 hrs/night at 1-wk and 4.33±2.27hrs/night at 1-mo. Using a threshold of ≥4 hrs/night, 64% were adherent at 1-wk and 60% at 1-mo. Sixty two percent (n=42) screened positive for inadequate HL. A positive screen for inadequate HL (by individual screening items or by cumulative number of items screened positive) was not associated with PAP use (mean hr/night) at 1-wk or 1-mo (not retained in the final model). HL was also not associated with PAP non-adherence (<4hrs/night) or PAP failure (<2hrs/night) by logistic regression. Conclusion Inadequate HL may be prevalent in adults with OSA. OSA and PAP patient education content and design should align with HL abilities and skills. Disease and treatment education are influential on PAP adherence. Future research should consider adequacy of three generalized items to assess HL and disease-specific HL as more robust measures are available. Larger, heterogeneous sample sizes are needed to precisely estimate the relationship between HL and PAP adherence. Support Lead author receives support from NIH/NHLBI Award T32 HL07953.

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