Screening for obstructive sleep apnea on the internet: randomized trial.

Full Abstract

BACKGROUND: Obstructive sleep apnea is underdiagnosed. We conducted a pilot randomized controlled trial of an online intervention to promote obstructive sleep apnea screening among members of an Internet weight-loss community. METHODS: Members of an Internet weight-loss community who have never been diagnosed with obstructive sleep apnea or discussed the condition with their healthcare provider were randomized to intervention (online risk assessment+feedback) or control. The primary outcome was discussing obstructive sleep apnea with a healthcare provider at 12 weeks. RESULTS: Of 4700 members who were sent e-mail study announcements, 168 (97% were female, age 39.5 years [standard deviation 11.7], body mass index 30.3 [standard deviation 7.8]) were randomized to intervention (n=84) or control (n=84). Of 82 intervention subjects who completed the risk assessment, 50 (61%) were low risk and 32 (39%) were high risk for obstructive sleep apnea. Intervention subjects were more likely than control subjects to discuss obstructive sleep apnea with their healthcare provider within 12 weeks (11% [9/84] vs 2% [2/84]; P=.02; relative risk=4.50; 95% confidence interval, 1.002-20.21). The number needed to treat was 12. High-risk intervention subjects were more likely than control subjects to discuss obstructive sleep apnea with their healthcare provider (19% [6/32] vs 2% [2/84]; P=.004; relative risk=7.88; 95% confidence interval, 1.68-37.02). One high-risk intervention subject started treatment for obstructive sleep apnea. CONCLUSION: An online screening intervention is feasible and likely effective in encouraging members of an Internet weight-loss community to discuss obstructive sleep apnea with their healthcare provider.

Author information

Author/s: Hwang, Kevin O (KO); Hamadah, Abdurrahman M (AM); Johnson, Craig W (CW); Thomas, Eric J (EJ); Goodrick, G Ken (GK); Bernstam, Elmer V (EV);

Affiliation: Department of Internal Medicine, Division of General Medicine, The University of Texas Medical School at Houston, Houston, TX 77030, USA. Kevin.o.hwang(-atsign-)uth.tmc.edu

Journal and publication information

Publication Type: Journal Article; Randomized Controlled Trial; Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

Journal: The American journal of medicine (Am J Med), published in United States. (Language: eng)

Reference: 2009-Oct; vol 122 (issue 10) : pp 961.e1-6

Dates: Created 2009/09/29; Completed 2009/10/15;

PMID: 19786163, status: MEDLINE (last retrieval date: 10/15/2009, IMS Date: )

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