A Pilot Study of CPAP Adherence Promotion by Peer Buddies With Sleep Apnea

Completed · Not applicable

Conditions studied: Sleep Apnea

In brief

Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is a highly prevalent condition in veterans with some estimates as high as 47%. Poor adherence to the primary treatment of OSA -- continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) therapy - is associated with increased risk for heart attacks, strokes and even death. The investigators plan to improve CPAP adherence in veterans through their interactions with peers who have successfully adopted CPAP therapy. Such "peer-buddies" may promote the well-being of veterans while remaining highly cost-effective when compared to healthcare providers. Our strategy is grounded on the rationale that veterans as a group are ecoculturally more homogenous than expected for the given level of differences in age, gender, ethnicity, or socioeconomic strata. Our long-term objectives are to initiate a larger, multi-site, research study for enhancing CPAP adherence in veterans with OSA. The ultimate goal of this research is to develop a cheap, effective and exportable system of care to promote CPAP adherence in patients with OSA.

Key facts

Study ID: NCT01164683
Run by: US Department of Veterans Affairs
People needed: 60
Starts: 2010-07-01
Expected to finish: 2012-06-01
Last updated by the study team: 2015-04-07

Who can join

Age: 21 and older, up to 85. Sex: any. Healthy volunteers: accepted.

You may qualify if…

Obstructive Sleep Apnea (defined by Apnea-hypopnea index [AHI] > 5 per hour; with hypopneas defined as greater than 30% reduction in airflow with 4 or greater drop in oxygen saturation). AHI will be determined by full night or split-night polysomnography.
Age range 21 - 85 years old.
Stable medical history and no change in medications, including anti-hypertensive and thyroid replacement, in the previous 4 months.
No regular use (> 3 times/week) of sedative or hypnotic medications in the last 4 months.

You may not qualify if…

Central sleep apnea (central apnea index > 5 per hour and >50% of Apnea-hypopnea index constituted by central apneas and non-obstructive hypopneas).
Complex sleep apnea or CPAP emergent central apnea (Central apnea index > 5 per hour during CPAP titration with >50% of Apnea-hypopnea index constituted by central apneas and non-obstructive hypopneas).
Requiring oxygen or bi-level positive airway pressure for treatment of OSA or hypoventilation.
Decompensated cardiac (heart failure or angina) or pulmonary (severe COPD or uncontrolled asthma) disease
Chronic narcotic use
Nasal obstruction (nasal congestion score > 15) or enlarged tonsils
Diagnosis of another sleep disorder in addition to OSA based on PSG (e.g., periodic limb movement disorder [ 15 limb movements/hour of sleep with arousal], central sleep apnea [ 50% of apneas on diagnostic PSG are central apneas], insomnia, obesity hypoventilation syndrome, or narcolepsy).
Previous treatment with positive airway pressure, home oxygen therapy, tracheotomy, uvulopalatopharyngoplasty, or other surgery for OSA.
Night shift workers in situations or occupations where they regularly experience jet lag, or have irregular work schedules by history over the last 6 months.
Routine consumption of more than 2 alcoholic beverages per day.
Recent or recurring history of recreational drug use leading to tolerance or dependence.
Unable to perform tests due to inability to communicate verbally, inability to write and read in English; less than a 5th grade reading level; visual, hearing or cognitive impairment (e.g. previous head injury); or upper extremity motor deficit (e.g., previous stroke that prevents patient from using CPAP treatment).

Where it is running

Southern Arizona VA Health Care System, Tucson, AZ — Tucson, Arizona, United States

Full record on ClinicalTrials.gov

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