Long-term positive airway pressure therapy in obesity hypoventilation syndrome. Cost study

Abstract

Rationale: Obesity hypoventilation syndrome (OHS) is commonly treated with noninvasive ventilation (NIV) or CPAP. NIV is more complex and costly but provides ventilatory support. To date there have been no long-term or cost trials comparing these treatment modalities.

Methods: We performed a large, randomized, multicenter, open-label controlled trial in Spain to compare the long-term effectiveness of NIV and CPAP using hospitalization days/year-patient as the primary end point. We carried out a simple cost analysis including effectiveness cost during 3 year of follow-up. We included the following cost groups: visits, adjustment of NIV, tests, medication, therapies and hospital resources utilization. A sensitivity analysis was conducted according to 3 different scenarios guided by the International Gross Domestic Product.

Results: In total, 215 patients with untreated OHS and severe obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) were randomized to NIV or CPAP therapy and followed at least 3 years. The effectiveness was close between arms (mean difference NIV-CPAP: -0.19, 95% CI -1.13 to 0.75). The cost per patient/year was lower in the CPAP arm (1,898.2€; SD 1939.5) than the cost in the NIV arm (2,809.3€; SD 2901.6), mean difference -911.1€ (p <0.0001). The sensitivity analysis showed a minimum mean savings per patient/year with CPAP of -553.4€ (p <0.0001) and a maximum of -1,619.5€ (p<0.0001).

Conclusions: In stable patients with OHS and severe OSA, despite NIV having a slight advantage in effectiveness, CPAP could be considered the first line of treatment due to its lower cost but, a case-by-case assessment is recommended to detect patients who would benefit from a switch to NIV.