The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) has published its first ever clinical guidelines for the diagnosis and management of obstructive sleep apnoea/hypopnoea syndrome (OSAHS), obesity hypoventilation syndrome (OHS) and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease with OSAHS (COPD–OSAHS overlap syndrome) in people over 16.
Developed by the National Guideline Centre (NGC), hosted by the Royal College of Physicians (RCP), this is the first NICE clinical guideline on this topic.
The guideline aims to improve recognition and management of OSAHS, OHS and COPD–OSAHS overlap syndrome, and ensure consistent provision of care. It gives advice to healthcare professionals on when and how to investigate, and how to manage each of these conditions. It also gives guidance on supporting people to adhere to treatment and providing follow-up.
The guideline includes recommendations on:
- OSAHS initial assessment, diagnosis and management
- OHS initial assessment, diagnosis and management
- COPD–OSAHS overlap syndrome initial assessment, diagnosis an
- d management
- Providing information for people with OSAHS, OHS or COPD–OSAHS overlap syndrome
The recommendations are also presented in four algorithms: one for the initial assessment and one for each condition on the investigations and treatments recommended.
The full guidelines can be found on NICE’s website.