Accessibility to manage the obstructive sleep apnea within the Brazilian Unified Health System.

OBJECTIVE: To measure the average time for the diagnosis and for the therapeutic prescription of Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP) at a hospital in Botucatu Medical School - State University São Paulo, UNESP. METHOD: A retrospective observational study was carried out by collecting data from the electronic medical records of patients over 18-years of age, who had a diagnostic polysomnography testing scheduled between January and December 2017. RESULT: Of the 347 patients eligible for the study, 94 (27.1%) missed follow-up and 103 (29.7%) had a referral for CPAP use. Until February 2021, only 37 (35.9%) of these patients had already acquired and were using the device, the remaining 66 (64.1%) were waiting or gave up the therapy. The mean value of the waiting time interval between the referral of the diagnostic test and its performance was equivalent to 197 days (6.5 months). The mean time between diagnostic polysomnography and CPAP prescription was 440-days (14.5-months), with a total mean time of 624 days (21-months). CONCLUSION: As in other services, the diagnostic-therapeutic flow proved to be highly inefficient, with a long waiting period, difficult access to treatment and a high dropout rate. These findings highlight the need to establish new patient-centered strategies with measures that speed up the flow and facilitate access to CPAP, in order to reduce the morbidity and mortality associated with this condition. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level 3 - Non-randomized controlled cohort/follow-up study Recommendation B.

Accessibility to manage the obstructive sleep apnea within the Brazilian Unified Health System

Abstract Objective To measure the average time for the diagnosis and for the therapeutic prescription of Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP) at a hospital in Botucatu Medical School - State University São Paulo, UNESP. Method A retrospective observational study was carried out by collecting data from the electronic medical records of patients over 18-years of age, who had a diagnostic polysomnography testing scheduled between January and December 2017. Result Of the 347 patients eligible for the study, 94 (27.1%) missed follow-up and 103 (29.7%) had a referral for CPAP use. Until February 2021, only 37 (35.9%) of these patients had already acquired and were using the device, the remaining 66 (64.1%) were waiting or gave up the therapy. The mean value of the waiting time interval between the referral of the diagnostic test and its performance was equivalent to 197 days (6.5 months). The mean time between diagnostic polysomnography and CPAP prescription was 440-days (14.5-months), with a total mean time of 624 days (21-months). Conclusion As in other services, the diagnostic-therapeutic flow proved to be highly inefficient, with a long waiting period, difficult access to treatment and a high dropout rate. These findings highlight the need to establish new patient-centered strategies with measures that speed up the flow and facilitate access to CPAP, in order to reduce the morbidity and mortality associated with this condition. Level of evidence Level 3 - Non-randomized controlled cohort/follow-up study Recommendation B.

Impact of CPAP treatment for a short period in moderate-to-severe OSAS patients: a randomized double-blind clinical trial / Impacto do tratamento com CPAP por um curto período em pacientes com SAOS moderada a grave: um estudo clínico duplo-cego randomizado

Abstract Introduction: Obesity is the most frequent reversible agravating factor of obstructive sleep apnea syndrome, with physical activity very important for its control. Continuous positive air pressure during sleep is the ‟gold standard" treatment for obstructive sleep apnea syndrome. Objective: we aimed to investigate if the use of continuous positive air pressure for a short period (7 days), would improve sleep quality, daytime sleepiness, and the disposition for physical activity. Methods: Eighty obstructive sleep apnea syndrome patients were randomly assigned as follows: group I - continuous positive air pressure with a steady pressure of 4cm H2O; group II - ideal therapeutic pressure. After filling out the questionnaires related to the studied variables (International physical activity questionnaire long-form, Epworth sleepiness scale, Pittsburgh sleep quality index), patients underwent a baseline pulmonary function test and continuous positive air pressure titration. After continuous positive air pressure therapy for 4> hours a night for 7 consecutive days, patients returned and filled out new (International physical activity questionnaire long-form, Epworth sleepiness scale, Pittsburgh sleep quality index) forms. New spirometry was carried out. Results: 39 patients completed the study. The mean age was 52 ±11 years old and 28 patients (71.79%) were obese. Both groups were similar for all variables studied at baseline. After Continuous positive air pressure use, patients of group II presented more significant improvements (p< 0.05) for sleep quality and diurnal sleepiness. Time spent with physical activities did not change. Spirometric data were at normal range at baseline. Solely the variable FEF 25%-75% was significantly enhanced (p< 0.05) in group II. Conclusion: Continuous positive air pressure therapy for 1 week, with ideal pressure, improves daytime sleepiness and sleep quality, enhances pulmonary function, but does not change the mean time spent with physical activities.

Resumo Introdução: A obesidade é o fator causal reversível mais frequente da síndrome da apneia obstrutiva do sono, a atividade física é muito importante para o seu controle. A pressão positiva contínua na via aérea, CPAP, durante o sono é o tratamento padrão ouro para essa condição clínica. Objetivo: Avaliar se o uso do CPAP na síndrome da apneia obstrutiva do sono por um curto período (7 dias) melhoraria a qualidade do sono, a sonolência diurna e a disposição para a prática de atividades físicas, além da função pulmonar. Método: Oitenta pacientes com síndrome da apneia obstrutiva do sono foram distribuídos aleatoriamente da seguinte forma: grupo I - CPAP com pressão constante de 4cm H2O; grupo II - pressão terapêutica ideal. Após o preenchimento dos questionários relacionados ao estudo das variáveis (PSQI, ESS e IPAQ-L), os pacientes foram submetidos a teste de função pulmonar basal e titulação da CPAP. Após terapia com CPAP por ≥ 4 horas por noite durante sete dias consecutivos, os pacientes retornaram e preencheram novos questionários PSQI, ESS e IPAQ-L. Nova espirometria foi feita. Resultados: Apenas 39 pacientes completaram o estudo. A média de idade foi de 52 ± 11 anos e 28 pacientes (71,79%) eram obesos. Ambos os grupos eram semelhantes quanto às variáveis avaliadas no início do estudo. Após o uso de CPAP, os pacientes do grupo II apresentaram melhorias mais significantes (p < 0,05) para qualidade do sono e sonolência diurna. O tempo gasto com atividades físicas não mudou. Os dados espirométricos estavam na faixa normal no início do estudo. Apenas a variável FEF 25%-75% aumentou significantemente (p < 0,05) no grupo II. Conclusão: A terapia com CPAP por uma semana, com pressão ideal, melhora a sonolência diurna e a qualidade do sono, melhora a função pulmonar, mas não altera o tempo médio despendido com atividades físicas.

Impact of CPAP treatment for a short period in moderate-to-severe OSAS patients: a randomized double-blind clinical trial.

INTRODUCTION: Obesity is the most frequent reversible agravating factor of obstructive sleep apnea syndrome, with physical activity very important for its control. Continuous positive air pressure during sleep is the "gold standard" treatment for obstructive sleep apnea syndrome. OBJECTIVE: we aimed to investigate if the use of continuous positive air pressure for a short period (7 days), would improve sleep quality, daytime sleepiness, and the disposition for physical activity. METHODS: Eighty obstructive sleep apnea syndrome patients were randomly assigned as follows: group I - continuous positive air pressure with a steady pressure of 4 cm H2O; group II - ideal therapeutic pressure. After filling out the questionnaires related to the studied variables (International physical activity questionnaire long-form, Epworth sleepiness scale, Pittsburgh sleep quality index), patients underwent a baseline pulmonary function test and continuous positive air pressure titration. After continuous positive air pressure therapy for 4≥ hours a night for 7 consecutive days, patients returned and filled out new (International physical activity questionnaire long-form, Epworth sleepiness scale, Pittsburgh sleep quality index) forms. New spirometry was carried out. RESULTS: 39 patients completed the study. The mean age was 52 ±â€¯11 years old and 28 patients (71.79%) were obese. Both groups were similar for all variables studied at baseline. After Continuous positive air pressure use, patients of group II presented more significant improvements (p <  0.05) for sleep quality and diurnal sleepiness. Time spent with physical activities did not change. Spirometric data were at normal range at baseline. Solely the variable FEF 25%-75% was significantly enhanced (p <  0.05) in group II. CONCLUSION: Continuous positive air pressure therapy for 1 week, with ideal pressure, improves daytime sleepiness and sleep quality, enhances pulmonary function, but does not change the mean time spent with physical activities.