A Bayesian cost-effectiveness analysis of a telemedicine-based strategy for the management of sleep apnoea: a multicentre randomised controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: Compliance with continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) therapy is essential in patients with obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA), but adequate control is not always possible. This is clinically important because CPAP can reverse the morbidity and mortality associated with OSA. Telemedicine, with support provided via a web platform and video conferences, could represent a cost-effective alternative to standard care management. AIM: To assess the telemedicine impact on treatment compliance, cost-effectiveness and improvement in quality of life (QoL) when compared with traditional face-to-face follow-up. METHODS: A randomised controlled trial was performed to compare a telemedicine-based CPAP follow-up strategy with standard face-to-face management. Consecutive OSA patients requiring CPAP treatment, with sufficient internet skills and who agreed to participate, were enrolled. They were followed-up at 1, 3 and 6 months and answered surveys about sleep, CPAP side effects and lifestyle. We compared CPAP compliance, cost-effectiveness and QoL between the beginning and the end of the study. A Bayesian cost-effectiveness analysis with non-informative priors was performed. RESULTS: We randomised 139 patients. At 6 months, we found similar levels of CPAP compliance, and improved daytime sleepiness, QoL, side effects and degree of satisfaction in both groups. Despite requiring more visits, the telemedicine group was more cost-effective: costs were lower and differences in effectiveness were not relevant. CONCLUSIONS: A telemedicine-based strategy for the follow-up of CPAP treatment in patients with OSA was as effective as standard hospital-based care in terms of CPAP compliance and symptom improvement, with comparable side effects and satisfaction rates. The telemedicine-based strategy had lower total costs due to savings on transport and less lost productivity (indirect costs). TRIAL REGISTER NUMBER: NCT01716676.

A REVIEW OF GRAPHICAL REPRESENTATIONS USED IN THE DIETARY GUIDELINES OF SELECTED COUNTRIES IN THE AMERICAS, EUROPE AND ASIA.

INTRODUCTION: Food-Based Dietary Guidelines (FBDGs) are an initiative by the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and the World Health Organization (WHO) designed to help countries establish their own nutrition education principles. Such principles should be expressed through clear and specific messages that provide guidance and promote good health among populations. Many of these guidelines contain graphical representations (GRs) as visual aids for dietary guidance. OBJECTIVES: to analyze the characteristics of GRs used in various countries on four continents to identify international trends in these graphical messages and assess their usefulness as educational tools for their target populations. METHODS: a review of GRs used in the FBDGs of countries in the Americas, Europe and Asia for which data were available in Spanish or English. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION: the models most used are the food circle and pyramid. The GRs (n = 37) depict the following recommendations: food groups (37), physical activity (21), water intake (17), low salt intake (7), family meals (1) and relaxation (1). In addition, 10 quantitative recommendations were detected. The GRs of Greece and the United States do not show images of food. The aspects considered in the GRs vary by the regions, cultures and epidemiological characteristics of each country. A tendency to use the food circle and to include lifestyle recommendations in illustrations was observed in the United States, Spain and Mexico. Quantitative recommendations may help to clarify information provided during the educational process.

Introducción: las Guías Alimentarias Basadas en Alimentos "Food-Based Dietary Guidelines" (FBDG) son una propuesta de la Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) y la World Health Organization (WHO) para que cada país plantee sus principios de educación nutricional de manera clara y concreta con el fin de orientar y promover la buena salud en la población. Muchas de estas guías incluyen una representación gráfica (GR) como ayuda visual en el proceso de orientación alimentaria. Objetivos: analizar las características de las GR de países de tres continentes, para conocer las tendencias internacionales de los mensajes gráficos y para facilitar su transmisión durante el proceso educativo a la población a la que van dirigidos. Métodos: revisión de las GR de las FBDG de países de América, Europa y Asia, cuya información estuviera accesible, en español o en inglés. Resultados y discusión: las figuras más utilizadas son el círculo y la pirámide. Las GR ilustran las siguientes recomendaciones: todas (n = 37) grupos de alimentos, 21 actividad física, 17 consumo de agua, 7 restricción de sal, 1 convivencia familiar, 1 relajación y 10 recomendaciones cuantitativas. Las GR de Grecia y Estados Unidos no muestran imágenes de alimentos. Los aspectos considerados en las GR dependen de la región, la cultura y algunas características epidemiológicas de cada país. Se observa una tendencia al uso de la figura del círculo en países como Estados Unidos, España y México, además de incluir recomendaciones sobre el estilo de vida en la ilustración. Las recomendaciones cuantitativas pueden clarificar la información en el proceso educativo.

Diseño y validación de la Guía de Salud Integral como una representación gráfica alternativa para las guías alimentarias mexicanas

bjetivo: diseñar y validar una Representación Gráfica (RG) de guía alimentaria mexicana, como alternativa al Plato del Bien Comer" (PBC).Métodos: la nueva RG se diseñó considerando: la revisión de RG internacionales; el análisis, en el ámbito internacional y en México, de la situación epidemiológica y las recomendaciones nutricionales; la identificación de las áreas de oportunidad del PBC. Validación en dos fases: 1) Análisis de contenido sobre la apreciación de los mensajes transmitidos por la Guía de Salud Integral (GSI) entre 19 alumnos universitarios y 41 pacientes de consulta externa. 2) Comparativo de la percepción de los mensajes transmitidos entre GSI y PBC en 28 padres de familia de alumnos de primaria.Resultados: se generó una RG denominada GSI incluyó cuatro grupos dentro del círculo: frutas, verduras, cereales integrales y proteínas saludables. Además, incorporó grasas saludables, agua natural, actividad física y convivencia familiar. La validación muestra que 59,3 % (fase 1) y 60 % (fase 2), identifica que la GSI representa alimentos saludables; 25,4 % (fase 1) y 40 % (fase 2) percibe que la GSI incluye estilos de vida saludables, datos independientes del tipo de población. La GSI obtuvo datos similares al PBC e incluso más favorables en la inclusión de frutas, grasas y agua natural al elaborar un menú ejemplo.Conclusión: la GSI puede ser utilizada como una RG alternativa para facilitar el proceso educativo, la adopción de hábitos alimentarios saludables y de estilo de vida. Puede ser empleada por profesionales de la salud para impactar de manera positiva en la población.

bjective: To design and validate a Graphic Representation (RG) of mexican food guide, as an alternative to "Healthy eating plate" (PBC).Methods: The new RG was designed considering: the revision of international RG; the analysis, at the international level and in Mexico, of the epidemiological status and nutritional recommendations; the identification of the aspects to improve the PBC. Validation in two phases: 1) Content analysis on the evaluation of the messages transmitted by the Full Health Guide (GSI) among 19 university students and 41 outpatients. 2) Comparison of the perception of messages transmitted between GSI and in 28 parents of elementary school students.Results: An RG denominated , was generated; included four groups within the circle: fruits, vegetables, whole grains and healthy proteins. In addition, it incorporated healthy fats, natural water, physical activity and share time with family. Validation shows that 59.3% (phase 1), and 60% (phase 2), identifies GSI as healthy food; 25.4% (phase 1) and 40% (phase 2) perceived that the GSI included healthy lifestyles, data independent of population type. The GSI obtained data similar to the PBC, and even more favorable, in the inclusion of fruits, fats and natural water when elaborating an example menu.Conclusion: GSI can be used as an alternative RG to facilitate the educational process, adoption of healthy eating habits, and lifestyle. It can be used, by health professionals, to positively influence the population.