A randomised controlled trial of a simplified management strategy versus standard care in moderate to severe OSA [ 2004 - 2006 ]

Research Grant

Researchers: Prof R. Douglas Mcevoy (Principal investigator) ,  E/Pr Michael Hensley ,  Prof Matthew Naughton ,  Prof Nick Antic

Brief description Currently breathing difficulties during sleep known as obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) are undertreated in our community. This reflects an inability of the current diagnostic and treatment strategies to deal with the high clinical burden of OSA. As a result, in particular in rural and remote areas, many have long waits for treatment, or no access to therapy at all. The purpose of this project is to evaluate a simplified protocol for the management of OSA. This will be done using diagnostic devices and treatment strategies that are more widely available than the current approaches to the diagnosis and management of obstructive sleep apnea. This will involve measurement of the numbers of falls in oxygen levels in a patient via a device to measure oxygen levels called an oximeter. These falls in oxygen levels correlate well with breath holding episodes during sleep characteristic of OSA. Treatment can be commenced in the patient's home depending on these results. We intend to compare these new approaches with the current best practice in OSA. If the outcomes are good these stategies could be applied to reduce the waiting times for to diagnose and manage OSA and make therapy more widely available throughout the community.

Funding Amount $AUD 561,400.00

Funding Scheme NHMRC Project Grants

Notes Standard Project Grant