ABSTRACT
Purpose: This study evaluated the treatment acceptance rate and cost-effectiveness of the telemedicine model in clinical practice for adult patients with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). Patients and Methods: Patients admitted to the sleep center for snoring were randomly divided into telemedicine and control groups. Patients diagnosed with moderate-to-severe OSA using the Home Sleep Apnea Test (HSAT) were voluntarily treated with auto-adjusted positive airway pressure (APAP) therapy. The acceptance rate of the APAP treatment, cost of patient visits, time cost, and labor cost of doctors in the two groups were observed. Results: A total of 57 subjects were included, with an average age of 40.12±11.73 years, including 47 males (82.5%); 26 patients were in the telemedicine group, and 31 were in the control group. Follow-up results showed that the acceptance rate of APAP treatment was 57.7% and 54.8% in the telemedicine and control groups, respectively, with no significant difference between the two groups (p=0.829). The cost-benefit analysis showed that the telemedicine group reduced the cost of patients' medical treatment [-457.84(-551.19,1466.87)] but increased the extra intervention frequency and time outside the doctor's office. Further analysis showed that male subjects of older age, higher education level, distant residence, no fatty liver, poor sleep quality, severe insomnia, and higher OSA severity were more likely to receive telemedicine diagnosis and treatment. Conclusion: The APAP treatment acceptance rate and compliance of OSA patients in the telemedicine group were similar to those in the control group, and the cost of patients' medical treatment was reduced. However, telemedicine increases the frequency and duration of additional out-of-hospital interventions.
