Abstract

FERNANDEZ, Alejandra et al. Access to auto-adjustable positive airway pressure devices for the treatment of obstructive sleep apnea during the COVID-19 pandemic. Medicina (B. Aires) [online]. 2022, vol.82, n.1, pp.55-60. ISSN 0025-7680.

The use of positive airway pressure is the treatment of choice for obstructive sleep apnea. Since the beginning of SARS-CoV-2 virus pandemic the recommenda tions were to avoid the administration of this therapy in the sleep laboratory and to start treatment with auto-adjustable continuous positive airway pressure devices. The objective was to evaluate access to these devices in the current epidemiological context. Sixty-six patients were included, the mean age was 50.7 ± 12.8, 44% men with an AHI of 35.5 (22.7-64.2) and a BMI of 38.3 (32.8-46.1). Forty-five percent had health insurance. Of the 50 (74%) who processed the device, 19 (29%) had access. Health insurance was the only significant variable between those who had access to the device and those who did not: 54% vs. 21% (p=0.016). The delay between the beginning of the procedure to access the device and the start of treatment was 31 ± 21 in patients who had medical insurance and 65 ± 35.2 in those who did not (p = 0.008). Access to auto-adjustable therapies during the COVID-19 pandemic was below our former experience and that described in other studies with fixed therapies. It is worth considering whether this decrease is a product of the pandemic and indepen dent of the type of therapy or is directly related to the higher costs of self-adjustable devices or to a lack of coverage from the healthcare providers.

Keywords : Obstructive sleep apnea; Positive airway pressure; Access to treatment.

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