Obstructive sleep apnoea in adults: A common chronic condition in need of a comprehensive chronic condition management approach

Obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA) is a common disorder that has all the characteristics of a chronic condition. As with other chronic conditions, USA requires ongoing management of treatments and problems, such as residual symptoms, deficits and co-morbidities. Also, many USA patients have modifiable lifestyle factors that contribute to their disease, which could be improved with intervention. As health systems are in the process of developing more comprehensive chronic care structures and supports, tools such as chronic condition management programs are available to enable USA patients and their health care providers to further engage and collaborate in health management. This review explains why the USA patient group requires a more comprehensive approach to disease management, describes the chronic care model as a platform for management of chronic conditions, and assesses the suitability of particular chronic disease management programs in relation to the needs of the USA population. Implementation of an evidence-based health-professional-led chronic condition management program into USA patient care is likely to provide a context in which health risks are properly acknowledged and addressed. Such programs present an important opportunity to enable more optimal health outcomes than is possible by device-focused management alone. (C) 2012 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.