Cost-effectiveness of CPAP treatment in a tax-funded healthcare system – a scoping review and suggestions for cost reduction of CPAP treatment

Abstract

Aims Obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA) is an increasing global public health problem. The primary treatment option is continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP). The cost-effectiveness of CPAP in patients with OSA is incompletely characterized.Methods For this scoping review, we conducted a PubMed search for cost-effectiveness analysis of CPAP treatment in European countries with tax-funded healthcare systems and for clinical practices to reduce costs of CPAP without reducing treatment quality. OSA severity was classified by the overnight apnoea-hypopnea index (AHI). The primary outcome was to define the cost-effectiveness of CPAP in high-income European countries with tax-funded healthcare systems. The second outcome was to describe possible clinical practices that may reduce costs of CPAP for patients with OSA without reducing CPAP treatment quality.Results CPAP is a cost-effective treatment for those with severe or moderate OSA with symptoms, especially for middle-aged and overweight males. However, the cost-effectiveness remains unclear in mild OSA or moderate OSA without disabling sleepiness. Although CPAP adherence affects cost-effectiveness, this was not considered in all cost-effectiveness studies. The cost of CPAP treatment can be reduced, for instance, by choosing overnight polygraphy at home for diagnostics, remote contacts, nurse- and primary care-led follow-up, and by evaluating the number of necessary healthcare contacts for CPAP.Conclusion CPAP seems to be cost-effective and should be initiated at least for those with severe OSA or moderate OSA with symptoms. CPAP adherence should be considered in cost-effectiveness studies. There are clinical practices that can reduce CPAP treatment costs without reducing treatment quality.

Keywords

• Sleep apnoea
• CPAP
• APAP
• cost
• cost effectiveness
• cost minimization