{
  "abstract": "Introduction Mild Obstructive Sleep Apnoea (OSA) is often assumed a lower symptom burden and healthcare utilisation than moderate and severe, which may overlook true patient experiences. Recent findings support a symptom-based approach to treatment over AHI-based alone. 1 This study compares the symptom and treatment burden of mild OSA with moderate and severe OSA.Methods A retrospective analysis at a central London sleep centre for all patients newly diagnosed with OSA over a 5-month period. Inclusion criteria consisted of a confirmed OSA diagnosis and completion of a clinical sleep symptom questionnaire. Symptom profile, treatment modality (continuous positive airway pressure [CPAP] or mandibular advancement appliance [MAA]) and healthcare utilisation data were analysed and compared across severity groups.Results 307 patients were identified. Mean age was 51 years (SD 14); median BMI was 33.5 (IQR 10.4); 68% were male (n=210). The most reported symptoms were feeling ‘tired, fatigued or sleepy’ during daytime (88%), snoring loudly (83%) and unrefreshed morning wakening (82%) ( table 1). 42% had mild OSA (n=130), 32% moderate (n=98) and 26% severe (n=79). Symptom prevalence did not differ across severity groups (p=0.155–0.810). Excessive daytime somnolence (Epworth Sleepiness Score ≥11) was present in 52% of mild, 39% of moderate and 57% of severe OSA (p>0.05). Treatment provision varied: 88% of the severe group received CPAP, 69% of moderate and 31% of mild; 29% of the mild group received MAA versus 6% of moderate and 2% of severe. Healthcare visit burden in the first year was significantly higher in mild OSA patients than other severities (3.6 mean appointments vs 2.8 and 2.9, p<0.001), predominantly due to MAA treatment, shown in further analysis.Abstract P51 Table 1Sleep Symptom Distribution Across Severity GroupsConclusion Our study showed that patients with mild OSA experience a symptom burden comparable to those with moderate or severe disease. Healthcare visit burden was higher in this cohort. Our findings highlight the limitations of AHI-based definitions in estimating clinical burden and the often under-appreciated impact for patients with mild OSA.Reference Wimms AJ, et al. MERGE Trial Investigators. Mild obstructive sleep apnoea in females: post hoc analysis of the MERGE randomised controlled trial. ERJ Open Res. 2024 Feb 5;10(1):00574–2023. doi:10.1183/23120541.00574–2023.",
  "authors": [
    {
      "affiliations": [
        "GKT School of Medical Education, London, UK"
      ],
      "name": "MT Lam"
    },
    {
      "affiliations": [
        "GKT School of Medical Education, London, UK"
      ],
      "name": "S Hussain"
    },
    {
      "affiliations": [
        "GKT School of Medical Education, London, UK"
      ],
      "name": "M Jahangir"
    },
    {
      "affiliations": [
        "GKT School of Medical Education, London, UK"
      ],
      "name": "R Syed"
    },
    {
      "affiliations": [
        "GKT School of Medical Education, London, UK",
        "King’s College Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK"
      ],
      "name": "KK Lee"
    }
  ],
  "title": "P51 Mild but not minor: investigating the clinical burden of MAA use in mild obstructive sleep apnoea",
  "uid": "205d52ad-cd8f-5a4e-bcd9-adc2dc0d7f49"
}