Treatment of Adult Obstructive Sleep Apnea with Positive Airway Pressure: An American Academy of Sleep Medicine Clinical Practice Guideline

Introduction:This guideline establishes clinical practice recommendations for positive airway pressure (PAP) treatment of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) in adults and is intended for use in conjunction with other American Academy of Sleep Medicine (AASM) guidelines in the evaluation and treatment of sleep-disordered breathing in adults.Methods:The AASM commissioned a task force of experts in sleep medicine. A systematic review was conducted to identify studies, and the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation (GRADE) process was used to assess the evidence. The task force developed recommendations and assigned strengths based on the quality of evidence, the balance of clinically significant benefits and harms, patient values and preferences, and resource use. In addition, the task force adopted recommendations from prior guidelines as“good practice statements” that establish the basis for appropriate and effective treatment of OSA. The AASM Board of Directors approved the final recommendations.Good Practice Statements:The following good practice statements are based on expert consensus, and their implementation is necessary for appropriate and effective management of patients with OSA treated with positive airway pressure:Treatment of OSA with PAP therapy should be based on a diagnosis of OSA established using objective sleep apnea testing.Adequate follow-up, including troubleshooting and monitoring of objective efficacy and usage data to e...
Source: Journal of Clinical Sleep Medicine : JCSM - Category: Sleep Medicine Source Type: research