Economic evaluation of telemonitoring as a follow-up approach for patients with obstructive sleep apnea syndrome starting treatment with continuous positive airway pressure

Telemonitoring of obstructive sleep apnea patients is increasingly being adopted though its cost-effectiveness evidence base is scanty. This study investigated whether telemonitoring is a cost-effective strategy compared with the standard follow-up in patients with obstructive sleep apnea who are starting continuous positive airway pressure treatment. In total, 167 obstructive sleep apnea patients were randomised into telemonitoring (n = 79) or standard follow-up (n = 88), initiated continuous positive airway pressure treatment, and were followed up for 6 months. The frequencies of healthcare contacts, related costs (in USD 2021 prices), treatment effect and compliance were compared between the follow-up approaches using generalised linear models. The cost effectiveness analysis was conducted from a healthcare perspective and the results presented as cost per avoided extra clinic visit. Additionally, patient satisfaction between the two approaches was explored. The analysis showed no baseline differences. At follow-up, there was no significant difference in treatment compliance, and the mean residual apnea-hypoapnea index. There was no difference in total visits, adjusted incidence rate ratio 0.87 (0.72-1.06). Participants in the telemonitoring arm made eight times more telephone visits, 8.10 (5.04-13.84), and about 73% fewer physical healthcare visits 0.27 (0.20-0.36). This translated into significantly lower total costs for the telemonitoring approach compared with standard follow-up, -192 USD (-346 to -41). The form of follow-up seemed to have no impact on the extent of patient satisfaction. These results demonstrate the telemonitoring of patients with obstructive sleep apnea initiating continuous positive airway pressure treatment as a cost saving strategy and can be argued as a potential worthy investment.