Implementation of a physical therapy protocol in the treatment of obstructive sleep apnea at Hospital Alemão Oswaldo Cruz – São Paulo, Brazil

ABSTRACT Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is a high prevalence sleep-disordered breathing associated with cardiovascular and metabolic complications. Adherence to continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) therapy is crucial to treatment success and efficiency. Patients are frequently diagnosed during hospitalization, and they do not have access to the right support or orientation about the risks associated with this disorder and the importance of treatment. In this scenario, it is relevant to standardize a protocol of excellence in the OSA treatment. The primary aim of this report is to describe the OSA treatment protocol implemented in a tertiary care hospital. As a secondary aim, to describe the characteristics of the patients included. This is a descriptive and retrospective study, via the analysis of electronic medical records of the patients, who were included in the OSA treatment protocol designed by the sleep physical therapy group, in the Inpatient Units of a hospital in São Paulo during a five years-period. During the study period, 126 patient were analyzed, and 108 were included and had their profiles described. According to the reviewed medical records, the average age of patients was 73 years with 70% males. The most prevalent comorbidity was hypertension (80%) followed by diabetes (50%). In total, 74% were adherents to therapy with CPAP during hospitalization. It is feasible to implement a protocol for treatment of hospitalized patients with the diagnosis of OSA.