THURSDAY, Aug. 5 (HealthDay News) -- Sleep-laboratory diagnosis and initiation of therapy for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) doesn't lead to better four-week outcomes compared to home-based diagnosis and treatment, according to research published in the August issue of Chest.
Robert P. Skomro, M.D., of the University of Saskatchewan in Saskatoon, Canada, and colleagues analyzed data from 102 adults with suspected OSA. Subjects were randomized to home-based testing with a week of auto-continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) and fixed-pressure CPAP, or in-laboratory polysomnography (PSG), with mostly split-night protocol, and CPAP titration.
The researchers found that, after four weeks of CPAP therapy, the groups had similar measures of daytime sleepiness, sleep quality, and quality of life, as well as Short-Form 36 scores and blood pressure. The groups also had similar CPAP adherence.
"Our study has important implications for areas with limited access to PSG. OSA is already one of the most common chronic conditions and a significant public health problem. It is unlikely that access to PSG will keep pace with the rise in obesity and OSA rates; therefore, the home diagnosis and treatment approach may be useful in the treatment of a subgroup of subjects with OSA when access to PSG is limited. If confirmed by a larger, multicenter, randomized clinical trial, this approach may become a standard of care in a subset of patients with OSA," the authors write.
Equipment was provided by Saskatchewan Aids to Independent Living and ResMed.
Abstract
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