Telemedicine and Humidification for Cpap IN Osas Key Treatment (THINK Study) (THINK)
Sleep Apnea, Obstructive, OSA, Sleep
About this trial
This is an interventional treatment trial for Sleep Apnea, Obstructive focused on measuring Telemedicine, CPAP
Eligibility Criteria
Inclusion Criteria: • Consecutive symptomatic OSAS patients with an AHI and an oxygen desaturation index (ODI) of >15/h in polysomnography (PSG) or Home Sleep Test (HST) consenting to start long term CPAP treatment.
Exclusion Criteria:
- Age <18 years
- Unable to communicate in Italian
- Previous usage of CPAP treatment
- Alcohol consumption > 4 units >4 times a week
- Acute manifestation of psychiatric diseases
- Life expectancy of < 6 months for any reason
- Surgical obesity treatment planned within the next 6 months
- Predominantly Central sleep apnea and cheyne stokes respiration
Sites / Locations
Arms of the Study
Arm 1
Arm 2
Active Comparator
No Intervention
Telemedicine & Humidification Intervention
Control without Telemedicine & humidification
In the telemedicine intervention arm, a telemetry device is instructed and attached to the CPAP. Patients are instructed to use CPAP every night. Data of the CPAP are downloaded to the internet once daily. On week days, a nurse/sleep technologist is checking the downloaded data three times per week. The contacts will be due to: CPAP usage <4h/ night for 3 consecutive night the median leakage was above 0.4 L/sec on 3 consecutive nights The nurse/sleep technologist informs the patient of the problem observed, asks for explanations and gives advice on possibilities to solve the problem. The common problems and the respective solutions (Dry mouth/throat, nasal congestion, skin irritation, conjunctivitis, headache, loss of benefits) will be discussed. The patient is encouraged to use CPAP every night. In the case of adherence >4h/night and acceptable leakage, a congratulatory message is sent to the patient via sms or e-mail.
In the control arm, no wireless telemedicine and humidifier will be used with CPAP but data stored in the CPAP machine are collected at the follow-up visit after 1 month