[Guideline for the diagnosis and treatment of adult obstructive sleep apnea: a protocol].

Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is common in adults, and untreated OSA is associated with increased risks of traffic and occupational accidents, cardiovascular diseases, neurological diseases, and all-cause mortality, significantly increasing the social medical burden. To further standardize the screening, diagnosis, treatment, and disease management of adult OSA patients in China, the Sleep Related Breathing Disorders Group of Chinese Thoracic Society formed a guideline working group with Chinese respiratory experts. The group aims to formulate the <i>Guideline for the diagnosis and treatment of adult obstructive sleep apnea</i>. This protocol provides a comprehensive overview of the background, objectives, target population, intended users, members of the guideline development group, the process of collecting and selecting clinical issues, evidence retrieval and evaluation, and the development of recommendations, in order to provide a guiding implementation plan for the scientific development of the guideline.