How can I effectively monitor and follow up on patients diagnosed with obstructive sleep apnea after initiating treatment?

Follow-up for patients with diagnosed obstructive sleep apnoea/hypopnoea syndrome (OSAHS) should be tailored to the individual's overall treatment plan, including lifestyle modifications and management of comorbidities ¹.

For patients using CPAP, offer face-to-face, video, or phone consultations, including review of telemonitoring data if available, initially within 1 month and subsequently according to their needs until optimal control of symptoms and AHI or ODI is achieved ¹.

Once CPAP therapy is optimized, consider annual follow-up ¹.

For patients using mandibular advancement splints, offer follow-up at 3 months to review device adjustment and symptom improvement, then as needed until optimal control is achieved ¹.

For those using positional modifiers, offer follow-up within 3 months and subsequently as needed until symptoms and indices are controlled ¹.

Patients who have had surgery should have an initial follow-up with respiratory polygraphy within 3 months post-operation, with further follow-up based on individual needs ¹.

For drivers with excessive sleepiness, ensure follow-up aligns with DVLA guidance, including assessment of symptom control and treatment adherence, with review intervals as specified (every 3 or 12 months depending on severity) ¹.