Experiences of Using Positive Airway Pressure for Treatment of Obstructive Sleep Apnoea: A Systematic Review and Thematic Synthesis

Patient-reported experience with hypoglossal nerve stimulation in the treatment of obstructive sleep apnea

BACKGROUND

Breathing-synchronized hypoglossal nerve stimulation (HNS) is routinely used as an alternative treatment for patients with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). Significant and clinically relevant improvements in disease severity and OSA symptoms such as daytime sleepiness as well as overall quality of life have been reported in randomized-controlled trials and large real-world cohort studies. However, so far, few data exist on patient-reported experience with the treatment.

METHODS

A structured survey with 22 questions was constructed using five-level Likert scales (1 = no agreement, 5 = complete agreement) to evaluate patient experience with HNS and perception of the treatment in the domains "Overall experience with therapy," "Experience with treatment process," and "Side-effects from treatment." Additional data were collected on current symptom status, measured with Epworth sleepiness scale (ESS) questionnaire, and OSA disease history. Multiple linear regression analysis was conducted to test associations of medical variables and response behavior. Correlations between variables and domains, as well as individual items, were assessed using Spearman rank test.

RESULTS

A total of 75 patients from Germany who were treated with breathing-synchronized HNS were enrolled (mean age 57.3 years, 78% male), and 71 questionnaires with complete data were included for analysis. Two-thirds of participants (67%) had a history of OSA history for 5 years or longer. Of all patients, 76% had normalized OSA symptoms at time of the study (ESS: 6.4 ± 5.0) and 98% reported using stimulation therapy every night. Regression analysis revealed an association of current symptoms measured with ESS and response behavior. Hence, patients with normalized daytime sleepiness reported significantly more positive experience across all domains assessed, compared to patients with residual daytime sleepiness. Overall, only 2% of participants reported side effects that made them reduce or discontinue stimulation therapy. The rate of reported side effects was associated with current symptom control under therapy.

CONCLUSIONS

Overall patient-reported experience with breathing-synchronized HNS therapy was positive and high satisfaction with the treatment process was observed. Side effects occurred, but rarely affected subjective use of the therapy or satisfaction. Subjective experience and perception are influenced by residual daytime sleepiness with stimulation therapy.

Assessment of Patient Journey Metrics for Users of a Digital Obstructive Sleep Apnea Program: Single-Arm Feasibility Pilot Study

Background

Despite the importance of diagnosis and treatment, obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) remains a vastly underdiagnosed condition; this is partially due to current OSA identification methods and a complex and fragmented diagnostic pathway.

Objective

This prospective, single-arm, multistate feasibility pilot study aimed to understand the journey in a nonreferred sample of participants through the fully remote OSA screening and diagnostic and treatment pathway, using the Primasun Sleep Apnea Program (formally, Verily Sleep Apnea Program).

Methods

Participants were recruited online from North Carolina and Texas to participate in the study entirely virtually. Eligible participants were invited to schedule a video telemedicine appointment with a board-certified sleep physician who could order a home sleep apnea test (HSAT) to be delivered to the participant's home. The results were interpreted by the sleep physician and communicated to the participant during a second video telemedicine appointment. The participants who were diagnosed with OSA during the study and prescribed a positive airway pressure (PAP) device were instructed to download an app that provides educational and support-related content and access to personalized coaching support during the study’s 90-day PAP usage period. Surveys were deployed throughout the study to assess baseline characteristics, prior knowledge of sleep apnea, and satisfaction with the program.

Results

For the 157 individuals who were ordered an HSAT, it took a mean of 7.4 (SD 2.6) days and median 7.1 days (IQR 2.0) to receive their HSAT after they completed their first televisit appointment. For the 114 individuals who were diagnosed with OSA, it took a mean of 13.9 (SD 9.6) days and median 11.7 days (IQR 10.1) from receiving their HSAT to being diagnosed with OSA during their follow-up televisit appointment. Overall, the mean and median time from the first televisit appointment to receiving an OSA diagnosis was 21.4 (SD 9.6) days and 18.9 days (IQR 9.2), respectively. For those who were prescribed PAP therapy, it took a mean of 8.1 (SD 9.3) days and median 6.0 days (IQR 4.0) from OSA diagnosis to PAP therapy initiation.

Conclusions

These results demonstrate the possibility of a highly efficient, patient-centered pathway for OSA workup and treatment. Such findings support pathways that could increase access to care, reduce loss to follow-up, and reduce health burden and overall cost. The program’s ability to efficiently diagnose patients who otherwise may have not been diagnosed with OSA is important, especially during a pandemic, as the United States shifted to remote care models and may sustain this direction. The potential economic and clinical impact of the program’s short and efficient journey time and low attrition rate should be further examined in future analyses. Future research also should examine how a fast and positive diagnosis experience impacts success rates for PAP therapy initiation and adherence.

Trial Registration

ClinicalTrials.gov NCT04599803; https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT04599803