Outcomes in patients diagnosed with OSA during preop screening vs previously diagnosed

Editor's Note

In this study, patients diagnosed on the day of surgery as moderate to high risk for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) had similar rates of adverse respiratory events (ie, perioperative hypoxemia and difficult airway management) as patients who had been diagnosed with OSA previously.

However, those diagnosed with OSA during screening had increased postoperative respiratory interventions, hospital use, and 30-day all-cause mortality.

Worse postoperative outcomes in newly diagnosed OSA patients could reflect the lack of awareness and appropriate management after PACU discharge, the researchers note. 

BACKGROUND: Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) affects up to 26% of US adults, is often undiagnosed, and increases perioperative morbidity. We hypothesized that patients screened on the day of surgery as moderate/high risk for OSA (S-OSA) present similar perioperative respiratory complications, hospit...