Addressing concerns in long-term effects of OSA report

A multi-society commentary led by the American Academy of Sleep Medicine (AASM) is published in the Journal of Clinical Sleep Medicine examining the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) final report and systematic review on long-term health outcomes in OSA commissioned by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS).

With the expert input of several CHEST faculty, the article (linked below) raises concerns regarding the report’s conclusions and their potential implications for policy decisions. A major concern expressed in the commentary is that the AHRQ report inadequately acknowledges the benefits of CPAP for several established, long-term, clinically important outcomes including excessive sleepiness, motor vehicle accidents and blood pressure.

The commentary cautions that a consequence of reading the AHRQ report may be that stakeholders erroneously conclude that there are no clinically relevant benefits to the treatment of OSA.

Read the full article, Long-term health outcomes for patients with obstructive sleep apnea: placing the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality report in context—a multi-society commentary.