Patients’ perspectives and values on home positive airway pressure: Preliminary Findings from the ERS-CRC IMPORTANCE Patient Survey

The use of home mechanical ventilation (HMV) and positive airway pressure (PAP) therapies has been increasing but practices vary widely across countries and patients’ perspectives and values are less known. As part of the ERS-CRC IMPORTANCE, we explored patients’ views on these therapies. A web-based cross-sectional survey was distributed through patients on long-term HMV/PAP. Patients’ characteristics, treatment, preferable outcomes, treatment benefits and side-effects and future improvements were collected. Table 1 depicts the responses of 4724 patients (60% male, 88% aged 41-80) from 59 countries, most with obstructive sleep apnoea (60%) and using an APAP/CPAP device (75%). 16% used an HMV mostly due to neuromuscular disorders (30%). Most patients used the equipment for more than 5 years (43%), only at nighttime (83%). Treatments started mostly at outpatient appointments (45%). Most valued outcomes were improving quality of life (72%) and sleeping better (68%), and the most perceived benefits were sleeping better (65%) and feeling less tired during the day (63%). Leaks (87%) and mucosal dryness (84%) were the most common side effects. 72% would like more comfortable masks/interfaces in the future. Preliminary findings show a positive perception of treatment effect, but clear improvements to the interfaces are needed according to patients. <fig><object-id>erjor;12/suppl_17/93/F1</object-id><object-id>F1</object-id><object-id>F1</object-id><graphic></graphic></fig>