Work

P013 Screening and diagnosis pathways for Australians with obstructive sleep apnea

Year: 2025

Type: conference-abstract

Abstract: Introduction Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA) is a common, but largely under-recognised, respiratory condition with negative outcomes. There is limited information on how Australian adults with OSA are screened, diagnosed and managed. As such, this study sought to understand OSA screening, diagnosis, referral pathways, and management from the perspective of Australian health care professionals (HCPs). Methods A survey of 201 HCPs was completed in April 2025. Recruitment included: 161 general practitioners (GPs) and 40 sleep/respiratory specialists (SRS) who had treated >10 people with suspected or diagnosed OSA in Australia in the previous 6 months. HCPs reported screening, diagnosis, and referral pathways from primary care for people with OSA. Results OSA screening tools were used by 84.5% of GPs, with Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS) and STOP-BANG questionnaire the most common; used in 78.3% and 69.6% of cases, respectively. 90.1% of GPs saw challenges regarding the use of screening tools, with time constraints (70.2%) identified as most common. GPs referred 93.2% of patients with suspected OSA to a sleep study, of which 82.0% underwent the study. According to GPs, 76.3% of patients undergoing sleep studies were diagnosed with OSA (33.9% Mild, 41.0% Moderate, 25.0% Severe). GPs referred 84.2% of patients with suspected OSA to specialists, SRS being the most common (68.5%). Further information will be presented on treatment patterns and management. Discussion OSA screening rates were high, however GPs reported challenges with screening tools. People are commonly referred for sleep studies, however not all undergo these diagnostic tests. These data improve understanding of disease management in Australia.

Source: SLEEP Advances

DOI: 10.1093/sleepadvances/zpaf053.073

Authors: E Green, G Kilov, L Kauffman, J Lapthorn, S Colman, R Grunstein