scholarly journals Telemedicine Strategy to Rescue CPAP Therapy in Sleep Apnea Patients with Low Treatment Adherence: A Pilot Study

2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (18) ◽  
pp. 4123
Author(s):  
Onintza Garmendia ◽  
Ramon Farré ◽  
Concepción Ruiz ◽  
Monique Suarez-Girón ◽  
Marta Torres ◽  
...  

Patients with sleep apnea are usually treated with continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP). This therapy is very effective if the patient′s adherence is satisfactory. However, although CPAP adherence is usually acceptable during the first months of therapy, it progressively decreases, with a considerable number of patients accepting average treatment duration below the effectiveness threshold (4 h/night). Herein, our aim was to describe and evaluate a novel telemedicine strategy for rescuing CPAP treatment in patients with low adherence after several months/years of treatment. This two-week intervention includes (1) patient support using a smartphone application, phone and voice recorder messages to be answered by a nurse, and (2) daily transmission and analysis of signals from the CPAP device and potential variation of nasal pressure if required. On average, at the end of the intervention, median CPAP adherence considerably increased by 2.17 h/night (from 3.07 to 5.24 h/night). Interestingly, the procedure was able to markedly rescue CPAP adherence: the number of patients with poor adherence (<4 h/night) was considerably reduced from 38 to 7. After one month, adherence improvement was maintained (median 5.09 h/night), and only 13 patients had poor adherence (<4 h/night). This telemedicine intervention (103€ per included patient) is a cost-effective tool for substantially increasing the number of patients with CPAP adherence above the minimum threshold for achieving positive therapeutic effects.

2000 ◽  
Vol 35 (2) ◽  
pp. 169-175 ◽  
Author(s):  
Robert A. Quercia ◽  
Ronald Abrahams ◽  
C. Michael White ◽  
John D'Avella ◽  
Mary Campbell

A pharmacy-managed anemia program included distribution and clinical components, with the goal of making epoetin alpha therapy for hemodialysis patients more cost-effective. The Pharmacy Department prepared epoetin alpha doses for patients in unit-dose syringes, utilizing and documenting vial overfill. Pharmacists dosed epoetin alpha and iron (oral and intravenous) per protocol for new and established patients. Baseline data were obtained in 1994, one year prior to implementation of the program, and were re-evaluated in 1995 and 1998. Cost avoidance from utilization of epoetin alpha vial overfill in 1995 and 1998 was $83,560 and $91,148 respectively. In 1995 and 1998, cost avoidance from pharmacy management of anemia was $191,159 and $203,985 respectively. The total cost avoidance from 1995 through 1998 was estimated at $1,018,638. The number of patients with hematocrits under 31% decreased from 32% in 1994 to 21% and 14% in 1995 and 1998 respectively. We conclude that a pharmacy-managed anemia program for hemodialysis patients results in significant cost savings and better achievement of target hematocrits.


2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (8) ◽  
pp. 3365
Author(s):  
Benjie Law ◽  
Hui Yuh Soh ◽  
Syed Nabil ◽  
Rama Krsna Rajandram ◽  
Abd Jabar Nazimi ◽  
...  

Osteoradionecrosis (ORN) of the jaws and medication-related osteonecrosis of the jaws (MRONJ) are uncommon but serious diseases affecting the oral and maxillofacial region with clinically similar appearance but distinct pathophysiology. Management of ORN and MRONJ is inherently challenging and the treatment outcomes are unpredictable. The use of autologous platelet concentrates (APCs) to promote hard and soft tissue healing is well described in the literature, and the efficacy of leucocyte and platelet-rich fibrin (L-PRF) has been well documented in a number of clinical studies. The aim of this study was to present our treatment strategy and the outcomes of incorporating L-PRF as a surgical adjunct in management of ORN and MRONJ in our centre. Methods: eight cases of ORN and MRONJ were treated with a combination of sequestrectomy and L-PRF as a surgical adjunct. Results: the overall success was 87.5%. Using L-PRF as an adjunct, we were able to predictably manage ORN and MRONJ without causing significant morbidity. Conclusion: our experience shows that L-PRF may be used as a valuable and cost-effective adjunct to surgical management of ORN and MRONJ. However, due to a limited number of patients, and a short period of review, the true effectiveness of the method is yet to be demonstrated in a longer follow-up study including a greater number of patients, besides the inclusion of a control group.


2013 ◽  
Vol 59 (2) ◽  
pp. 193-198 ◽  
Author(s):  
V. A. Falcone ◽  
M. F. Damiani ◽  
V. N. Quaranta ◽  
A. Capozzolo ◽  
O. Resta

2021 ◽  
Vol 12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Danwei Zhang ◽  
Zhen Zhang ◽  
Huihua Li ◽  
Kaimo Ding

Excessive daytime sleepiness (EDS) is a significant public health concern, with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) being a common cause, and a particular relationship exists with the severity of depression. A literature search on OSA, depression, and EDS was performed in PubMed. The chosen evidence was limited to human studies. Available evidence was systematically reviewed to ascertain the association of EDS with depression and OSA according to the general population and some specific population subgroups. In addition, effectiveness of continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) was analyzed as a standard therapy for improving EDS and depression in patients with OSA. In the general population, patients with OSA, and some other subpopulations, the review contributed to: (1) delineating the prevalence of EDS; (2) substantiating the relationship of EDS and depression; (3) presenting the relationship between EDS and OSA; and (4) revealing that the duration of CPAP is crucial for its therapeutic effects in improving EDS and depressive symptoms in patients with OSA.


Author(s):  
Nikinaz Ashrafi Shahmirzadi ◽  
Pardis Zaboli ◽  
Monireh Afzali ◽  
Bereket Molla Tigabu ◽  
Mirhamed Hajimiri ◽  
...  

Background and Objectives: Prostate cancer is an ever-increasing global incidence and has become the fifth leading cause of cancer-related mortality in men. A significant number of patients with prostate cancer develop metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC). There are a few second-line treatment options for patients with post-docetaxel mCRPC. This systematic review aimed to assess the cost-effectiveness of cabazitaxel for the treatment of mCRPC. Materials and Methods: Electronic bibliographic databases including: PubMed/Medline, NICE, CRD, and Scopus were searched in January 2018 for identifying full economic evaluations published in English and Persian. The risk of assessment bias and descriptive analyses of individual studies’ findings were presented. Results: Three articles that fulfilled the inclusion criteria were included in the current study. All the included records had a reasonable quality. Cabazitaxel was not recommended as the most cost-effective option for the treatment of docetaxel-refractory mCRPC. Abiraterone acetate and radium-223 were the recommended cost-effective treatments for mCRPC treatment. Conclusion: We found that, in general, while cabazitaxel had equal or slightly higher improvement in Quality-adjusted Life Year (QALY) as compared to the alternatives, it incurred a high cost. Despite the inclusion of a few studies in this review, cabazitaxel was not found to be a cost-effective option. Therefore, we recommend full economic evaluations to be conducted in this area.


Circulation ◽  
2007 ◽  
Vol 116 (suppl_16) ◽  
Author(s):  
Mark J Russo ◽  
Jonathan M Chen ◽  
Kimberly N Hong ◽  
Michael Argenziano ◽  
Ryan R Davies ◽  
...  

BACKGROUND: In order to offer the benefit of heart transplantation to a greater number of patients some centers match high-risk recipients (HR) with non-standard or ”marginal” donors (MD) in a strategy known as Alternate Listing Transplantation (ALT). However, pairing sicker recipients with lower quality donor organs remains both clinically and ethically controversial. The purpose of this study was to determine the cost-effectiveness of this strategy. METHODS: The United Network of Organ Sharing provided deidentified patient-level data. UNOS data was used to determine clinical outcomes, including waiting time, post-transplant survival, length of stay, re-hospitalizations, episodes of rejection, and infection, based on all adult heart transplant candidates (age [gt] 18 yo) and listed between 1995–2005 (n=35,049). Through a systematic literature review of randomized controlled trials and case series that estimated related costs, a cost model (see Table ) using an intention-to-treat assumption was developed to calculate the incremental cost-effectiveness ratio (ICER) for HR candidates who subsequently received marginal donor hearts (HTR) compared with candidates who were not transplanted (NTXP). High-risk recipient criteria included age [gt] 65yo, retransplantation, HepC+, HIV+, CrCl <30 ml/min, DM with PVD, DM with Crcl <40 ml/min. MD criteria included age [gt] 55yo, DM, HIV+, HepC+, EF<45%, and donor:recipient weight <0.7. RESULTS: Median survival from listing was 0.55 yrs and 5.1 yrs in the HTR and NTXP groups, respectively. The estimated ICER was $66,645($34,046–$127,491) ICER varied by HR recipient criteria. CONCLUSIONS: The ICER for ALT falls at the upper limits acceptability for being cost-effective. However, stratified analysis by HR group suggests that this strategy is not appropriate for all groups. Cost Model Assumptions


SLEEP ◽  
2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Donghao Wang ◽  
Yongkang Tang ◽  
Yanghang Chen ◽  
Sun Zhang ◽  
Danjie Ma ◽  
...  

Abstract Study objectives This meta-analysis aimed to explore the effect of non-benzodiazepine sedative hypnotics (NBSH) on continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) adherence in patients with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). Methods We conducted a systematic search through PubMed, Medline, the Cochrane Library, EMBASE, Scopus and ClinicalTrials (all searched from inception to 15 August 2020). Publications were limited to articles, clinical conferences and letters, including randomized controlled trials and retrospective studies. We used a random-effects model to calculate the odds ratio (OR) and mean difference (MD) with corresponding confidence interval (CI). Subgroup analyses were conducted to analyze the sources of heterogeneity. Results Eight studies fulfilled the inclusion and exclusion criteria for patients newly diagnosed with obstructive sleep apnea. Overall, the use of NBSH was associated with increased use of CPAP per night (MD = 0.62 h; 95% CI = 0.26-0.98) and use for more nights (MD = 12.08%; 95% CI = 5.27-18.88). When a study seriously affecting heterogeneity was removed, more patients adhered well with CPAP use (pooled OR = 2.48; 95% CI = 1.75-3.52) with good adherence defined as CPAP use for>4 h/night on>70% of nights. Among prescribed NBSHs, eszopiclone showed the most significant effect on CPAP adherence. Conclusion CPAP adherence may increase in OSA patients treated with non-benzodiazepine sedative hypnotics especially eszopiclone. The effect of zolpidem and zaleplon on CPAP adherence requires further investigation by larger scale, randomized, controlled trials.


Author(s):  
Emerson M. Wickwire ◽  
M. Doyinsola Bailey ◽  
Virend K. Somers ◽  
Mukta C. Srivastava ◽  
Steven M. Scharf ◽  
...  

Author(s):  
Giannicola Iannella ◽  
Claudio Vicini ◽  
Antonella Polimeni ◽  
Antonio Greco ◽  
Riccardo Gobbi ◽  
...  

Background: To investigate the presence of laryngopharyngeal reflux in patients with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) employing the salivary pepsin concentration method. To compare the results of pepsin concentration with the severity of the pathology. Methods: Seventy-five OSA patients (44 males, 31 females) were enrolled in the study. For each patient, the AHI (apnea–hypopnea index) and the BMI (body mass index) were initially evaluated. All the patients enrolled were assessed using the reflux symptom index (RSI) and the reflux finding score (RFS) in order to perform a clinical diagnosis of laryngopharyngeal reflux. In all patients a salivary sample was taken to estimate the presence of pepsin and its concentration. Results: The incidence of LPR (laryngopharyngeal reflux) in OSA patients, evaluated using the salivary pepsin concentration test (PEP-test), was found to be 32% of cases. Linear regression testing did not show any correlation between AHI and pepsin concentration in salivary samples (p = 0.1). Conclusion: A high number of patients with OSA seem to show positivity for salivary pepsin, correlated to an LPR. There does not appear to be a correlation between the severity of apnea and the grade of salivary pepsin reflux. On the other hand, direct correlation between BMI and the value of pepsin in salivary specimens was observed.


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