RT Journal Article SR Electronic T1 Early adopters of CPAP in India: an exploratory study JF ERJ Open Research JO erjor FD European Respiratory Society SP P34 DO 10.1183/23120541.sleepandbreathing-2017.P34 VO 3 IS suppl 1 A1 Abhishek Goyal A1 Namrata Agarwal YR 2017 UL http://openres.ersjournals.com/content/3/suppl_1/P34.abstract AB Introduction It is general perception that Indian patients don't buy CPAP due to its high cost but no study is available to support this.Aims To understand the reasons and barriers for uptake of CPAP by Indian OSA patientsMethodology We compared socioeconomic status, disease severity, CPAP buying behavior of “buyers” v/s “non buyers” group and CPAP compliance behavior of “compliant” v/s “noncompliant” group. Result: Out of 187 OSA pt who were prescribed PAP therapy, 79 followed up for study. Only 29 patients (36.7%) bought CPAP and out of these only 24 pt (30.3%) were compliant. Out of non buyers patients {30/50 i.e.50.5%} patients said cost of CPAP as the major barrier in buying CPAP. In patients who are able to buy CPAP, a good adherence pattern (24/29 i.e. 82.7%) was seen. Patients with higher monthly income {above 36,997 INR (USDollar 550)} were more compliant to use CPAP than lower income group (p=0.029) but there was borderline difference found in CPAP buying behaviour in these two groups (p=0.058). When we compared the income of people who said that money was one of the primary reasons for not being able to buy CPAP with those who said they bought CPAP despite of financial constraints, there was no difference in income. This shows that attitude of patients towards their disease is also an important factor. Patients with more severe disease(lower nadir O2, higher AHI or OHS) were more eager to buy CPAP and were more compliant to therapy.Conclusion Main reason for not using CPAP in India is inability to buy CPAP followed by pt's behavior and attitude. Awareness regarding benefits of CPAP needs to be increased among patients. More severe OSA patients are more likely to buy and adhere to CPAP.