Please use this identifier to cite or link to this item: http://hdl.handle.net/2445/175412
Title: Comprehensive management of obstructive sleep apnea by telemedicine: Clinical improvement and cost-effectiveness of a Virtual Sleep Unit. A randomized controlled trial
Author: Lugo, Vera M.
Garmendia, Onintza
Suarez Girón, Monique
Torres, Marta
Vázquez Polo, Francisco J.
Negrín, Miguel A.
Moraleda, Anabel
Roman, Mariana
Puig, Marta
Ruiz, Concepción
Egea, Carlos
Masa, Juan F.
Farré Ventura, Ramon
Montserrat Canal, José Ma.
Keywords: Síndromes d'apnea del son
Qualitat de vida
Telecomunicació en medicina
Sleep apnea syndromes
Quality of life
Telecommunication in medicine
Issue Date: 24-Oct-2019
Publisher: Public Library of Science (PLoS)
Abstract: Introduction: Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is a prevalent disease associated with significant morbidity and high healthcare costs. Information and communication technology could offer cost-effective management options. Objectives: To evaluate an out-of-hospital Virtual Sleep Unit (VSU) based on telemedicine to manage all patients with suspected OSA, including those with and without continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) therapy.Methods: This was an open randomized controlled trial. Patients with suspected OSA were randomized to hospital routine (HR) or VSU groups to compare the clinical improvement and cost-effectiveness in a non-inferiority analysis. Improvement was assessed by changes in the Quebec Sleep Questionnaire (QSQ), EuroQol (EQ-5D and EQ-VAS), and Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS). The follow-up was 3 months. Cost-effectiveness was assessed by a Bayesian analysis based on quality-adjusted life-years (QALYs).Results: The HR group (n: 92; 78% OSA, 57% CPAP) compared with the VSU group (n: 94; 83% OSA, 43% CPAP) showed: CPAP compliance was similar in both groups, the QSQ social interactions domain improved significantly more in the HR group whereas the EQ-VAS improved more in the VSU group. Total and OSA-related costs were lower in the VSU group than the HR. The Bayesian cost-effectiveness analysis showed that VSU was cost-effective for a wide range of willingness to pay for QALYs. Conclusions: The VSU offered a cost-effective means of improving QALYs than HR. However, the assessment of its clinical improvement was influenced by the choice of the questionnaire; hence, additional measurements of clinical improvement are needed. Our findings indicate that VSU could help with the management of many patients, irrespective of CPAP use.
Note: Reproducció del document publicat a: https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0224069
It is part of: PLoS One, 2019, vol. 14, num. 10, p. e0224069
URI: http://hdl.handle.net/2445/175412
Related resource: https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0224069
ISSN: 1932-6203
Appears in Collections:Articles publicats en revistes (IDIBAPS: Institut d'investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi i Sunyer)
Articles publicats en revistes (Medicina)
Articles publicats en revistes (Biomedicina)

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