1054 Should Non-sleepy Patients Screened Positive for Sleep Apnea During Hospitalization Be Treated?

Abstract Introduction Studies have shown that unrecognized sleep apnea in hospitalized patients results in increased hospital readmissions. However, it is unclear if poor outcome is limited to sleepy patients (ESS>10) or non-sleepy patients (ESS< 10) as well. In a formal hospital sleep medicine program, we evaluated the outcome of hospitalized patients diagnosed with OSA by monitoring their 6-month emergency department (ED) visits, hospital readmissions and mortality. Methods Patients were chosen based on two criteria: report of an ESS score and diagnosis of OSA through gold-standard outpatient polysomnography (PSG). During the period of August 2019 and June 2023, a total of 123 consecutive patients from a hospital sleep medicine service who were determined to have OSA and ESS ³ 10 were compared with a control of 123 patients with OSA and ESS < 10. Over the next 6 months, patients’ ED visits, hospital readmissions and mortality were monitored. Demographics, comorbidity, and medication information were also recorded for these patients. Results The sleepy cohort had a mean ESS of 14 (SD 3) compared to the non-sleepy cohort of 6 (SD 2). The mean age and BMI for the sleepy versus non sleepy cohort were 57.6 (SD 12.8) versus 59.9 (SD 12) and 42 (10.8) and 39.6 (10.9), respectively. The sleepy cohort had an AHI from PSG of 26.2 (26.3) and the non-sleepy cohort had an AHI from PSG of 28.4 (23), the severity of sleep apnea was also similar. For patients with OSA and ESS > 10, the adjusted odds ratio for emergency department visits was 0.74 (95% CI 0.41-1.33). Similarly, the OR for the sleepy cohort for hospital readmission and mortality was 1.07 (CI 0.66-1.73) and 1.0 (CI 0.99-3.63). Conclusion Hospitalized patients who were diagnosed with OSA did not display significant differences in 6-month readmission, ED visit and mortality based on their ESS score. Given OSA’s prevalence in the community, additional measures in addition to ESS scores must be taken to manage potential cases of OSA, thus improving clinical outcomes. Support (if any)