Recommendations for research

The guideline committee has made the following recommendations for research.

Key recommendations for research

1 Auto- versus fixed-level CPAP for OSAHS

What is the clinical and cost effectiveness of auto- and fixed-level continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) for managing mild obstructive sleep apnoea/hypopnoea syndrome (OSAHS)?

For a short explanation of why the committee made the recommendation for research, see the rationale section on treatments for mild OSAHS.

Full details of the evidence and the committee's discussion are in evidence review F: positive airway pressure therapy variants for OSAHS, OHS and COPD–OSAHS overlap syndrome.

What is the clinical and cost effectiveness of auto- and fixed-level continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) for managing moderate and severe OSAHS?

For a short explanation of why the committee made the recommendation for research, see the rationale section on treatments for moderate and severe OSAHS.

Full details of the evidence and the committee's discussion are in evidence review F: positive airway pressure therapy variants for OSAHS, OHS and COPD–OSAHS overlap syndrome.

2 Interventions to improve CPAP adherence

Which interventions, including behavioural interventions, are most clinically and cost effective to improve adherence to CPAP in people with OSAHS, obesity hypoventilation syndrome (OHS) and COPD–OSAHS (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease–OSAHS) overlap syndrome who have difficulty using CPAP?

For a short explanation of why the committee made the recommendation for research, see the rationale section on supporting adherence to treatment for OSAHS.

Full details of the evidence and the committee's discussion are in evidence review N: adherence.

3 Mandibular advancement splints for mild symptomatic OSAHS and moderate OSAHS

In mild symptomatic OSAHS, which clinical and physiological phenotypes predict treatment response to customised mandibular advancement splints?

For a short explanation of why the committee made the recommendation for research, see the rationale section on treatments for mild OSAHS.

Full details of the evidence and the committee's discussion are in evidence review G: oral devices.

In moderate OSAHS, which clinical and physiological phenotypes predict treatment response to customised mandibular advancement splints?

For a short explanation of why the committee made the recommendation for research, see the rationale section on treatments for moderate and severe OSAHS.

Full details of the evidence and the committee's discussion are in evidence review G: oral devices.

4 Mandibular advancement splints for severe OSAHS

What is the clinical and cost effectiveness of mandibular advancement splints for managing severe OSAHS?

For a short explanation of why the committee made the recommendation for research, see the rationale section on treatments for moderate and severe OSAHS.

Full details of the evidence and the committee's discussion are in evidence review G: oral devices.

5 Treatment for people with COPD–OSAHS overlap syndrome

What is the optimal treatment for people with COPD–OSAHS overlap syndrome: non-invasive ventilation or CPAP?

For a short explanation of why the committee made the recommendation for research, see the rationale section on treatments for COPD–OSAHS overlap syndrome.

Full details of the evidence and the committee's discussion are in evidence review F: positive airway pressure therapy variants for OSAHS, OHS and COPD–OSAHS overlap syndrome.

Other recommendations for research

Upper airway surgery in people unable to tolerate or adhere to CPAP

What is the clinical and cost effectiveness of upper airway surgical interventions for people with OSAHS who are unable to tolerate or adhere to CPAP?

For a short explanation of why the committee made the recommendation for research, see the rationale section on surgery for OSAHS.

Full details of the evidence and the committee's discussion are in evidence review J: surgery.

Oxygen therapy for OSAHS

What is the clinical and cost effectiveness of nocturnal oxygen compared with placebo in people with OSAHS who are unable to tolerate CPAP?

For a short explanation of why the committee made this recommendation and how it might affect practice, see the rationale section on oxygen therapy for OSAHS.

Full details of the evidence and the committee's discussion are in evidence review I: oxygen therapy.

  • National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE)