Background:~Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is treated with a continuous positive airway pressure, so called CPAP, during sleep. CPAP startup and follow-up is performed at four sleep clinics in the West Swedish Region (SU / S, SÄS, SkaS, NÄL). Patient volumes are high, waiting times are long and long-term follow-up is inconsistent. A new technology that enables telemetric monitoring of CPAP therapy based on transfer of therapy data to a data cloud has been introduced. Healthcare personnel can identify patients with therapy problems.~Data from minor studies suggest several benefits of this telemedicine solution (increased therapeutic capacity, lower patient and community costs and a time benefit for the sleep medicine unit). Today, the sleep Clinical in the region use different procedures for monitoring CPAP treatment.~Scientific question:~Is telemedicine monitoring of CPAP treatment an adequate solution for follow up in all patients ? Is the additional cost of a telemedicine solution balanced by a better outcome after therapy?~Hypothesis:~Intensive telemedicine monitoring, especially at the start of CPAP therapy, leads to improved CPAP care at the participating sleep units.~Method:~The study randomizes 560 patients (moderate to severe sleep apnea) to different CPAP treatment follow up procedures: A) the current routine of the sleep clinic or B) the new telemedicine solution (1: 1 randomization). The main outcome parameter of the study is the mean CPAP use after 3 months of treatment. Secondary outcome parameters include the reduction of sleep apnea intensity, daytime sleepiness, and patient-related outcome measures (PROM).~Aim:~The aim of the study is to map the pros and cons of a telemedicine solution in CPAP therapy regarding treatment outcomes, patient quality of life and resource utilization at the sleep center.
Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is treated with a continuous positive airway pressure, so called CPAP. A new technology that enables telemetric monitoring of CPAP therapy. This study randomizes 560 patients to A) conventional follow up procedures or B to a telemedicine based follow up procedure. Main endpoint parameter is CPAP treatment compliance at 3 months after start of treatment.