National Knowledge-Driven Management of Obstructive Sleep Apnea-The Swedish ApproachShow others and affiliations
2023 (English)In: Diagnostics, ISSN 2075-4418, Vol. 13, no 6, article id 1179Article in journal (Refereed) Published
Abstract [en]
Introduction: This paper describes the development of "Swedish Guidelines for OSA treatment" and the underlying managed care process. The Apnea Hypopnea Index (AHI) is traditionally used as a single parameter for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) severity classification, although poorly associated with symptomatology and outcome. We instead implement a novel matrix for shared treatment decisions based on available evidence. Methods: A national expert group including medical and dental specialists, nurses, and patient representatives developed the knowledge-driven management model. A Delphi round was performed amongst experts from all Swedish regions (N = 24). Evidence reflecting treatment effects was extracted from systematic reviews, meta-analyses, and randomized clinical trials. Results: The treatment decision in the process includes a matrix with five categories from a "very weak"" to "very strong" indication to treat, and it includes factors with potential influence on outcome, including (A) OSA-related symptoms, (B) cardiometabolic comorbidities, (C) frequency of respiratory events, and (D) age. OSA-related symptoms indicate a strong incitement to treat, whereas the absence of symptoms, age above 65 years, and no or well-controlled comorbidities indicate a weak treatment indication, irrespective of AHI. Conclusions: The novel treatment matrix is based on the effects of treatments rather than the actual frequency of respiratory events during sleep. A nationwide implementation of this matrix is ongoing, and the outcome is monitored in a prospective evaluation by means of the Swedish Sleep Apnea Registry (SESAR).
Place, publisher, year, edition, pages
MDPI, 2023. Vol. 13, no 6, article id 1179
Keywords [en]
standardized care, treatment indication, diagnosis, CPAP, oral device, upper airway surgery, weight reduction, positional therapy
National Category
Dentistry
Identifiers
URN: urn:nbn:se:mau:diva-61077DOI: 10.3390/diagnostics13061179ISI: 000957925800001PubMedID: 36980487Scopus ID: 2-s2.0-85152670671OAI: oai:DiVA.org:mau-61077DiVA, id: diva2:1771293
2023-06-202023-06-202025-10-09Bibliographically approved