P053 Acceptability, Adaptability and Adherence to Continuous Positive Airway Pressure Therapy among Aboriginal Australians - The “A5” Top End Northern Territory Australian Study

Abstract

Abstract Obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA) is highly prevalent among the Australian Indigenous population. In this setting, alongside a high prevalence of chronic medical comorbidities, OSA may further perpetuate adverse health outcomes. Though CPAP is a well-established, proven therapeutic modality, acceptability, and adherence have not been examined among the Australian Indigenous population. 730 Indigenous Australian patients with a diagnostic sleep study recorded between 2011 and 2020 were included. CPAP therapy was assessed as Accepting (any recorded use), Adapting (≥30 days use) and Adhering (≥30 days with ≥4 hours use on ≥70% of nights). 649 (89%) Indigenous patients had OSA (25% mild, 25% moderate & 50% severe). The majority of patients were male (53%), aged a median 47 years and were obese (72%), with 44% residing in remote locations. 309 (48%) Accepted CPAP, 197 (30%) Adapted to CPAP and 67 (10%) Adhered to CPAP. Acceptance, Adaptation and Adherence were higher in patients with Severe vs. Mild OSA (63, 44 & 16% vs. 23, 10 & 3%). OSA severity was associated with Acceptance and Adaptation to CPAP therapy but was not associated with Adherence. Remote residence was significantly and negatively associated with Adaptation and Adherence to therapy. Remote location was found to be the major factor defining whether patients continued therapy for ≥30 days and adhered to therapeutic guidelines. Given that 80% of Indigenous Australians in the NT reside in remote communities significant work needs to be done to promote adaptation and adherence to therapy in order to reduce morbidity associated with sleep disorders.