International Consensus Statement on Obstructive Sleep Apnea

Area of Science:

• Sleep Medicine
• Pulmonology
• Internal Medicine

Background:

• Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is a significant clinical challenge requiring consolidated evidence for effective patient management.
• An international multidisciplinary expert collaborative developed the International Consensus statement on Obstructive Sleep Apnea (ICS:OSA).

Purpose of the Study:

• To consolidate current literature on obstructive sleep apnea (OSA).
• To determine key factors for clinical management of adult OSA patients.
• To establish a resource for evidence-based practice and identify future research needs in OSA.

Main Methods:

• Literature review (LR), evidence-based review (EBR), and evidence-based review with recommendations (EBR-R) formats were used for focal OSA topics.
• Available evidence was summarized and graded for study quality.
• The ICS:OSA was created through iterative review and author consensus.

Main Results:

• The ICS:OSA covers OSA definitions, pathophysiology, epidemiology, risk factors, screening, diagnostics, and treatment modalities.
• Specific evaluations included outcomes of positive airway pressure (PAP) and surgical treatments for OSA.
• The consensus statement addresses the effects of OSA treatment on associated comorbidities.

Conclusions:

• The ICS:OSA consolidates existing knowledge and highlights limitations in current OSA evidence.
• Future research is needed to improve OSA metrics, screening, PAP adherence, treatment selection, and individualized therapy.
• This consensus aims to guide evidence-based practice and future research directions for obstructive sleep apnea.