Cost-effectiveness and safety of continuous pulse oximetry for management of undiagnosed obstructive sleep apnea in bariatric surgery: a nationwide cohort study

Sophie L van Veldhuisen, Willem R Keusters, Kim Kuppens, Christel A L de Raaff, Ruben N van Veen, Marinus J Wiezer, Dingeman J Swank, Ahmet Demirkiran, Evert-Jan G Boerma, Jan-Willem M Greve, Francois M H van Dielen, Steve M M de Castro, Geert W J Frederix, Eric J Hazebroek*

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticleAcademicpeer-review

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Undetected obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is highly prevalent in patients undergoing bariatric surgery and increases perioperative risks. Screening for OSA using preoperative polygraphy (PG) with subsequent continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) is costly and time-consuming. Postoperative continuous pulse oximetry (CPOX) is less invasive, and is hypothesized to be a safe and cost-effective alternative. OBJECTIVES: This nationwide multicenter prospective observational cohort study compared CPOX monitoring with OSA-screening using PG. SETTING: High-volume bariatric centers. METHODS: Patients were either postoperatively monitored using CPOX without preoperative OSA-screening, or underwent preoperative PG and CPAP treatment when OSA was diagnosed. Cohort placement was based on local hospital protocols. Cost-effectiveness was analyzed using quality adjusted life years (QALYs) and healthcare costs. Surgical outcomes were also analyzed. Propensity score matching was used in sensitivity analyses. RESULTS: A total of 1390 patients were included. QALYs were similar between groups at baseline and 1-year postoperatively. Postoperative complications, intensive care unit (ICU)-admissions and admissions, particularly OSA-related, did not differ between groups. Mean costs per patient/year in the CPOX group was €3094 versus €3680 in the PG group; mean difference €-586 (95% CI €-933-€-242). Following propensity score matching, 1090 of 1390 included patients remained, and similar findings for cost-effectiveness, complications, and ICU admissions were observed. CONCLUSION: CPOX monitoring without preoperative OSA-screening was not associated with higher complication or readmission rates compared to PG. CPOX resulted in lower costs from a healthcare perspective and can therefore be considered a cost-effective alternative to routine OSA-screening in patients undergoing bariatric surgery.
Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)1244-1252
Number of pages9
JournalSurgery for Obesity and Related Diseases
Volume20
Issue number12
Early online date8 Jul 2024
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Dec 2024

Keywords

  • Bariatric surgery
  • Continuous pulse oximetry
  • Cost-effectiveness
  • Laparoscopic Roux-en-Y gastric bypass
  • Laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy
  • Obstructive sleep apnea
  • Perioperative care
  • Polygraphy

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