August 2014

This week, the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) released a draft research plan on screening for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) and is inviting public comment on the document. Once finalized, the research plan will be used to guide a systematic evidence review by the Agency for Health Research and Quality (AHRQ). The resulting evidence report will be the basis for new USPSTF recommendations on sleep apnea screening in the U.S. The deadline for comments on the plan in September 3.

The draft research plan outlines proposed questions to be systematically reviewed and the proposed research approach. Proposed questions focus on issues such as available evidence that screening for sleep apnea in adults improves health outcomes and on the accuracy and reliability of OSA diagnostic tests. The ATS will be commenting on the USPSTF plan. ATS members are encouraged to comment on the plan. To view the research plan, visit: http://www.uspreventiveservicestaskforce.org/draftresplan.htm