448 Association between Positive Airway Pressure Adherence and Healthcare Costs

Abstract

\n \n \n The impact of positive airway pressure (PAP) therapy for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) on healthcare costs is uncertain. We explored the relationship between 3-year PAP adherence and direct healthcare cost utilizing the Tele-OSA study cohort.\n \n \n \n The Tele-OSA randomized clinical trial demonstrated improved PAP adherence in patients receiving automated feedback messaging regarding their PAP use versus usual care. The study enrolled patients at Kaiser Permanente Southern California, a large integrated healthcare system, from 2014–2015. Patients with moderate-severe OSA (Apnea Hypopnea Index [AHI] ≥15) from all study arms were consolidated, then stratified into PAP adherence groups based on mean PAP hours and PAP use patterns over 3-year follow-up period: (a) high adherence (consistent ≥4 hours/night); (b) moderate adherence (2–3.9 hours/night or inconsistent ≥4 hours/night); (c) low adherence (<2 hours/night). Healthcare costs (2020 US dollars) were derived by assigning costs from Federal fee schedules to healthcare utilization extracted from electronic health records. The 6-month mean healthcare costs during follow-up were estimated using generalized linear models adjusting for patient demographics, comorbidities, Medicaid coverage, prior healthcare cost, and AHI.\n \n \n \n Of 374 patients (mean age 50 years, 63% male), 22% were categorized into high adherence, 18% moderate adherence, and 60% low adherence to PAP therapy. Mean (SD) hours of PAP use were 6.5 (1.1) hours, 3.7 (1.3) hours, and 0.3 (0.5) hours for high, moderate, and low adherence groups, respectively. The high adherence group had the lowest average (SE) adjusted 6-month healthcare costs compared with other groups (High: $2,991 [$234]; Moderate: $3,604 [$412]; Low: $3,854 [$300]). Cost savings of high vs low adherence were $862 (95% CI $1540, $185). Cost savings of moderate vs low adherence were $250 (95% CI -$694, $1,193).\n \n \n \n Better PAP adherence was associated with significantly lower healthcare costs over 3 years in patients with moderate-severe OSA. Findings support the importance of care strategies to enhance long-term PAP adherence for OSA therapy.\n \n \n \n The Tele-OSA Study was supported by AASM Foundation SRA Grant #: 104-SR-13\n