Impact of NICE Guidelines on Sleep Apnoea Screening Before Surgery
Author Information
Author(s): Gabrielle Shaw, Ricki Leggatt, Paige Roberts, Amanda Peace Witton, Nicole Moll, Akshay Dwarakanath
Primary Institution: Mid Yorkshire Teaching NHS Trust
Hypothesis
The implementation of NICE guidelines will increase the prevalence of identified obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA) in surgical patients and affect surgical decisions.
Conclusion
The study found that a high prevalence of OSA in presurgical patients impacts surgical decisions and anaesthetic plans, highlighting the need for timely CPAP initiation.
Supporting Evidence
- 32% of patients had normal oximetry results, while 9% had severe OSA.
- Patients with moderate/severe OSA had a higher likelihood of surgical delays.
- CPAP therapy was initiated in a third of patients preoperatively.
Takeaway
Many patients going for surgery have sleep problems that can cause complications, but doctors can help by checking for these issues before the surgery.
Methodology
The study evaluated the impact of NICE guidelines on clinical outcomes in surgical patients with suspected OSA using a STOP-Bang score for screening and overnight oximetry for diagnosis.
Potential Biases
The study may have bias due to its retrospective nature and reliance on self-reported data for screening.
Limitations
The study was retrospective, had missing data, and only included patients scheduled for elective surgery, potentially underestimating the true prevalence of OSA.
Participant Demographics
The average age was 55 years, with 69% male and a mean BMI of 32.
Statistical Information
P-Value
p<0.0001
Confidence Interval
95% CI = 2.39–6.02
Statistical Significance
p<0.0001
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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