USPSTF Halts Updating Guideline on OSA Screening in Asymptomatic Adults

The US Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) has found insufficient evidence to assess the benefits and harms of screening for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) in asymptomatic adults.  

According to data from the 1990s, prevalence of mild, moderate, and severe OSA were estimated to affect 10%, 3.8%, and 6.5% of the US population, respectively. However, current prevalence of OSA may be higher due to increasing rates of obesity.

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“Severe OSA is associated with increased all-cause mortality, cardiovascular disease and cerebrovascular events, diabetes, cognitive impairment, decreased quality of life, and motor vehicle crashes,” the researchers wrote. For this reason, the USPSTF sought to issue a new recommendation on screening for OSA in asymptomatic adults.

In its review, the USPSTF found that evidence supporting the use of validated screening questionnaires for diagnosing OSA in asymptomatic adults was inadequate.

In addition, researchers found inadequate evidence on the benefit and the direct harms of screening for OSA in asymptomatic populations.

“The USPSTF concludes that the current evidence is insufficient to assess the balance of benefits and harms of screening for OSA in asymptomatic adults,” the researchers concluded.

—Melissa Weiss

Reference:

Bibbins-Domingo K, Grossman DC, Curry SJ, et al; US Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF). Screening for obstructive sleep apnea in adults: US Preventive Services Task Force recommendation statement [published online January 24, 2017]. JAMA. doi:10.1001/jama.2016.20325.