RT Journal Article SR Electronic T1 A bayesian cost-effectiveness analysis of a telemedicine-based strategy for the management of sleep apnea: A multicenter randomized controlled trial JF European Respiratory Journal JO Eur Respir J FD European Respiratory Society SP PA3376 DO 10.1183/13993003.congress-2015.PA3376 VO 46 IS suppl 59 A1 Valentina Isetta A1 Miguel A. Negrín A1 Carmen Monasterio A1 Juan F. Masa A1 Nuria Feu A1 Ainhoa Álvarez A1 Francisco Campos-Rodriguez A1 Concepción Ruiz A1 Jorge Abad A1 Ramon Farré A1 Marina Galdeano A1 Patricia Lloberes A1 Cristina Embid A1 Mónica De la Peña A1 Javier Puertas A1 Mireia Dalmases A1 Josep M. Montserrat YR 2015 UL http://erj.ersjournals.com/content/46/suppl_59/PA3376.abstract AB Background: Compliance with CPAP therapy is essential in patients with OSA but an adequate control is not always possible. This is of clinical importance as CPAP reverses OSA morbidity and mortality. Alternative and more cost-effective approaches are needed. A telemedicine-based strategy could be of great interest.Methods: One hundred thirty nine patients were randomized in a controlled trial that was performed to compare a telemedicine-based strategy for CPAP follow-up (patients' support based on a web platform support and videoconferences) with the standard face-to-face control. Main outcomes were CPAP compliance and cost-effectiveness (Bayesian analysis). Secondary outcomes: Quality of life (QoL), satisfaction and secondary effects questionaries.Results: At six months, similar levels of CPAP compliance, improvement in sleepiness, QoL, side effects and degree of satisfaction were found in both groups. Despite observing more extra visits, the telemedicine group was more cost-effective: costs were lower and difference in effectiveness was not relevant.Discussion: A telemedicine-based strategy for the follow-up of OSA patients under CPAP treatment proved to be as effective as the standard hospital-based care in terms of CPAP compliance and improvement. Cost-effectiveness analysis showed that the telemedicine-based strategy presented lower total costs due to savings on transport and indirect costs of productivity losses.Funding: Supported by SEPAR/FIS PI14/00416. Supported in part by grant ECO2013-47092 (MINECO, Spain).