Quality of Life, Mental Health, and CPAP Compliance in Thai Patients with Obstructive Sleep Apnea during COVID-19 Pandemic.

Background: This study is aimed at determining the quality of life, mental health, and adherence to continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) therapy for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) among Thai OSA patients during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic as this data has been lacking. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted at a university hospital between September 2021 and April 2022. OSA patients aged 18 years or older who required home CPAP treatment were included. Sleep Apnea Quality of Life Index (SAQLI) and Depression Anxiety Stress Scales-21 (DASS-21) were used to assess quality of life and mental health, respectively. Results: A total of 142 participants (62% male) were included, with a mean age of 54.4 ± 14.7 years and a body mass index of 29.9 ± 6.8 kg/m2. Polysomnographic data showed a mean apnea-hypopnea index of 48.0 ± 32.4 events/hour and a mean lowest oxygen saturation of 79.2 ± 12.2%. Severe OSA was observed in 66.9%. CPAP compliance was reported in 50.7%. The SAQLI score was 2.32 ± 1.12. Depression, anxiety, and stress scores in DASS-21 were 2.89 ± 3.31, 3.94 ± 3.67, and 4.82 ± 4.00, respectively. Compared to the CPAP compliance group, the CPAP noncompliance group had higher daily activity scores in SAQLI (2.98 ± 1.25 vs. 2.45 ± 1.33, P = 0.015). Conclusions: The quality of life for Thai OSA patients during the COVID-19 era was moderate degree. Poor CPAP compliance was significantly associated with limited daily activity. Enhancing CPAP compliance could improve the quality of life in these patients. This trial is registered with TCTR20211104004.

Positive airway pressure therapy adherence for obstructive sleep apnea during the COVID-19 pandemic.

PURPOSE: Positive airway pressure (PAP) adherence is a significant issue among patients with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). However, the data are limited regarding PAP adherence during the current COVID-19 pandemic. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted between February and October 2020 at the Excellence Center for Sleep Disorders, King Chulalongkorn Memorial Hospital, Bangkok, Thailand. Patients with ongoing PAP-treated OSA were recruited. Data on PAP adherence before and during the COVID-19 pandemic were collected. Furthermore, pre-test and post-test questionnaires on knowledge on COVID-19, OSA, and PAP before and after tele-education were also evaluated. RESULTS: Of a total 156 patients, the majority had severe OSA (72%). By self-report, there was no significant difference in PAP usage in hours per day before compared to during the pandemic (p = 0.45), though in a subgroup with highest educational attainment (degree higher than bachelor's), PAP usage did increase during the pandemic (mean difference 0.23 ± 0.10; 95% CI 0.02-0.40, p = 0.03). However, objective PAP usage data demonstrated a trend towards increased usage comparing before and during the pandemic (4.64 ± 1.49 vs 5.12 ± 1.41; mean difference 0.48 ± 1.33; 95% CI 0.13-10.90, p = 0.12). Basic knowledge was significantly improved after tele-education (p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: By objective data, there was a trend towards increased PAP usage during the COVID-19 pandemic for the entire group. In a subgroup of patients with highest educational attainment, PAP adherence increased by self-report. Tele-education appeared to improve knowledge on COVID-19, OSA, and PAP usage.

Interest of hand grip strength to predict outcome in mechanically ventilated patients.

BACKGROUND: Weaning from mechanical ventilation is a crucial process for critically ill patients. Hand grip strength (HGS) is an assessment tool for respiratory muscle function to assist guidance of extubation. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate HGS as a predictor for in-hospital clinical outcomes in mechanically ventilated patients. METHODS: A prospective study was conducted. Patients requiring mechanical ventilation with tracheal intubation in medical wards and intensive care units were recruited. HGS, reintubation, number of ventilator-free days and mortality were recorded. RESULTS: A total of 34 patients (52.9% men) were included. When compared to the non re-intubation group, the re-intubation group had significantly lower HGS at 10 min and 30 min after starting spontaneous breathing trial (7.6 ± 4.8 kg Vs 13.4 ± 6.5 kg, P = 0.045, and 8 ± 5.1 kg Vs 13.2 ± 5.7 kg, P = 0.047). Moreover, at 1 h and 48 h of post extubation, the re-intubation group had lower HGS than the non re-intubation group. HGS at 1 h of post extubation was positively correlated with ventilator-free day at 28 days (r = 0.34, P = 0.05). HGS did not differ between survival group and death group in hospital over time. CONCLUSIONS: Hand grip strength may be a predictive tool for extubation failure in mechanically ventilated patients. Low strength corresponded to significantly increased re-intubation rate. Furthermore, this measurement could not predict in-hospital mortality.