European Respiratory Society statement on advanced telemedicine for obstructive sleep apnoea (e-Sleep)
Telemedicine as a means of remote patient-physician interaction is gaining popularity in nearly every field, and (respiratory) sleep medicine is no exception. Because obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA) is a chronic condition, and requires a continuous treatment and monitoring of therapy success, telematic communications could be useful to establish diagnostic and therapeutic strategies. This statement summarises the evidence and efficacy of telemedicine options in OSA. An interdisciplinary European Respiratory Society (ERS) task force evaluated the scientific literature based on a systematic search and two-step screening process (title/abstract and full text). Although the task force does not make recommendations for clinical practice, it describes its current practice of telemedicine applications in OSA. The literature shows that telemedicine has been studied in different areas of OSA management, with potential benefits. Telemedicine also served as a major research tool to provide big data related to positive airway pressure therapy. Telemedicine results in similar or improved compliance when compared with traditional face-to-face encounters. Telemedicine-based targeted troubleshooting and support based on individual patient data, and a combination <i>via</i> smartphone apps or coaching websites, are feasible and effective. Expanding evidence suggests that telemedicine is probably cost-effective. However, data do not consistently support staff time savings through telemedicine-based solutions. The potential benefits of telemedicine include improved access to healthcare, and increased adherence to (chronic illness) treatment plans. Benefits should be weighed against the overall costs of telemedicine and risks related to suboptimal compliance.
Authors
- Refika Ersu (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4317-2190)
- Matteo Bradicich (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6380-7395)
- Thomy Tonia (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-7896-6188)
- Piet-Heijn van Mechelen
- Dries Testelmans (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-7303-9799)
- Özen K. Başoğlu (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8168-6611)
- Hui‐Leng Tan (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6917-3434)
- Emanuele Amodio (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-5482-5268)
- Riccardo Bellazzi (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6974-9808)
- Ludger Grote (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7405-1682)
- Marie Bruyneel (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7035-1266)
- Carla Miltz
- Walter T. McNicholas (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-5927-2738)
- Johan A. Verbraecken (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6087-678X)
- Francesco Fanfulla (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8601-423X)
- Brigitte Fauroux (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6092-2662)
- Maria Rosaria Bonsignore (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4875-7796)
- Yüksel Peker (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-9067-6538)
- Bart Vrijsen (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-3882-661X)
- Carolina Lombardi (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1033-6053)
- Sofia Schiza
- Renaud Tamisier (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1128-6529)
- Monique Suárez
Institutions
- University of Bern (CH)
- Hôpital Necker-Enfants Malades (FR)
- Université Libre de Bruxelles (BE)
- Koç University (TR)
- University of Crete (GR)
- Inserm (FR)
- University of Pittsburgh (US)
- Lund University (SE)
- University of Pavia (IT)
- Children's Hospital of Eastern Ontario (CA)
- Royal Brompton & Harefield NHS Foundation Trust (GB)
- Sahlgrenska University Hospital (SE)
- British Lung Foundation (GB)
- Ege University (TR)
- Istituti Clinici Scientifici Maugeri (IT)
- Assistance Publique – Hôpitaux de Paris (FR)
- University Hospital of Zurich (CH)
- Antwerp University Hospital (BE)
- Department of Health (ES)
- St. Vincent's University Hospital (IE)
- The Task Force for Global Health (US)
- IRCCS Istituto Auxologico Italiano (IT)
- Institute of Social and Preventive Medicine (CH)
- Hospital Universitari Joan XXIII de Tarragona (ES)
- Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Saint-Pierre (BE)
- University of Milano-Bicocca (IT)
- Université Grenoble Alpes (FR)
- University of Palermo (IT)
- KU Leuven (BE)
Publication Details
- Journal
- European Respiratory Journal
- Published
- 2025-09-04
- DOI
- https://doi.org/10.1183/13993003.00557-2025
- Citations
- 7
- Primary Topic
- Tracheal and airway disorders
- Type
- article
- Field-Weighted Citation Impact
- 10.63
Funders
- European Respiratory Society