0434 Long-Term Positive Airway Pressure Usage Disparities in Black or Hispanic of any Race Adults with OSA

Abstract

Abstract Introduction Black or African American and Hispanic of any race (B/H) adults are disproportionately affected by obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). Positive Airway Pressure (PAP) treatment may reduce disparities, but short-term PAP outcomes are worse among under-represented minority (URM) adults compared to other, mainly White, adults. No studies have examined if adherence disparities persist/worsen long-term. We evaluated disparities in PAP usage between B/H adults and other race/ethnicities. Methods We defined a clinical cohort of adults with moderate-severe OSA (apnea-hypopnea index [AHI]≥15 events/h) that underwent diagnostic sleep studies and initiated PAP between 01/2015-03/2018. Logistic regression was used to examine differences in the likelihood of still using PAP or meeting adherence threshold of ≥4 hours/night at 18-24 months. We performed mixed model for repeated measures to examine differences in h/night of PAP use over two years. Analyses were controlled for age, sex, BMI, AHI, and 3-month PAP usage to understand whether disparities emerged independent of short-term differences. Results Analyses included 1,518 individuals (694 [45.7%] B/H) with PAP usage at 3 months, who were middle-aged (53.4±14.1 years-old), majority men (64.4%), obese (38.2±9.8 kg/m2) and had severe OSA (46.6±30.2 events/h). B/H adults had 70% higher odds (OR [95% CI] = 1.70 [1.33-2.17]) of no longer using PAP 18-24 months after initiation. B/H adults using PAP had ~2 hours/night less usage than other race/ethnicities at 18-24 months (2.72 [2.49-2.97] vs. 4.52 [4.31-4.73] hours/night; p< 0.0001). This difference was attenuated but remained significant after accounting for 3-month usage (mean [95% CI] difference = -0.64 [-0.92, -0.37] hours/night). B/H adults using PAP were also 3-times more likely to be non-adherent at 18-24 months (OR [95% CI] = 3.00 [2.28-2.95]), and remained 2-times more likely to be non-adherent controlling for 3-month usage (2.14 [1.56-2.92]). Conclusion At 18-24 months, Black or Hispanic of any race adults with moderate-severe OSA were less likely to use PAP, had less usage when still using PAP, and were less likely to achieve adherence thresholds. Long-term PAP disparities exist, even after accounting for short-term differences. Promoting longer-term PAP adherence for URM is a priority to reduce these disparities and address healthcare inequities. Support (if any) AHA (20CDA35310360), NIH P01 HL094307, AHRQ K12HS026372