Relationships and CPAP adherence among women with obstructive sleep apnea

Background: Obstructive sleep apnea contributes to daytime sleepiness, poor quality of life and increased risk for heart disease and hypertension among women. Continuous positive airway pressure improves sleepiness and quality of life and may reduce health risks but few studies have evaluated predictors of adherence among women. The goal of this study was to evaluate the role of relationship factors in women’s continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) adherence and change in relationship quality among married/partnered women. Methods: Women recently diagnosed with obstructive sleep apnea completed relationship quality, social support questionnaires and spousal involvement interviews. CPAP adherence was collected at 12 weeks. Results: Data were available for 16 women. Average CPAP adherence was 3.6 SD = 2.7 h per night. Women with higher reports of social support had higher adherence. None of the unmarried/partnered participants were adherent to the recommendation of CPAP use≥ 4 h per night at 12 week follow-up. Marital status was not associated with demographic, disease severity or social support measures. Relationship conflict among married/partnered participants was associated with lower adherence. In qualitative surveys, encouragement and support were the two most commonly reported types of partner involvement. Relationship quality did not change between baseline and 3 months. Conclusion: Results suggest relationship factors are robust predictors of CPAP adherence among women with obstructive sleep apnea.