Nighttime-breathing Treatments Backed by Strongest Evidence among Options To Treat Sleep Apnea

Nighttime-Breathing Treatments Backed by Strongest Evidence Among Options to Treat Sleep Apnea

Among the treatments for obstructive sleep apnea, the effectiveness of a nighttime-breathing machine called a “CPAP” was backed by the strongest evidence, and a mouthpiece worn at night was also shown to be effective, according to a new AHRQ-funded report. Sleep apnea is a disorder that disrupts sleep for an estimated 12 million Americans, with millions more likely undiagnosed. The report found that the continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) machine, which pumps air through a mask while the patient is asleep, is highly effective in improving sleep and related symptoms of obstructive sleep apnea by improving airflow. Another treatment, a mouthpiece called a mandibular advancement device, can also be very effective. Weight loss and surgery may also be effective, although the evidence behind these treatments is not as strong, according to a comparative effectiveness review prepared by the Tufts Medical Center Evidence-based Practice Center for AHRQ's Effective Health Care Program. The report does note that all treatments have possible side effects. To highlight the findings of the report, AHRQ also published guides for consumers and clinicians that summarize the latest evidence for treating obstructive sleep apnea, a disorder that can lead to heart disease, diabetes, and multiple other health problems. The report and the companion guides are available on AHRQ's Effective Health Care Program Web site. The consumer guide, Treating Sleep Apnea: A Review of the Research for Adults, defines sleep apnea for patients and their families, summarizes treatment options, offers a list of questions to discuss with a doctor and contains basic cost information. The clinician guide, Comparative Effectiveness of Diagnosis and Treatment of Obstructive Sleep Apnea in Adults, covers these topics, provides "confidence ratings" for existing scientific evidence, and offers a "clinical bottom line" to give clinicians tools to discuss treatment options with their patients. Select to read our press release.

first step [full-text]►
Nighttime-breathing Treatments Backed by Strongest Evidence among Options To Treat Sleep Apnea: "- Enviado mediante la barra Google"

second step [full-text]►
Comparative Effectiveness of Diagnosis and Treatment of Obstructive Sleep Apnea in Adults - Clinician Guide | AHRQ Effective Health Care Program: "- Enviado mediante la barra Google"

third step [full-text]►
Treating Sleep Apnea: A Review of the Research for Adults - Consumer Guide | AHRQ Effective Health Care Program: "- Enviado mediante la barra Google"

fourth step [full-text]►
Diagnosis and Treatment of Obstructive Sleep Apnea in Adults - Executive Summary | AHRQ Effective Health Care Program: "- Enviado mediante la barra Google"