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. 2021 Mar 4;57(3):2002722.
doi: 10.1183/13993003.02722-2020. Print 2021 Mar.

Sleep laboratories reopening and COVID-19: a European perspective

Sophia Schiza  1 , Anita Simonds  2 , Winfried Randerath  3 , Francesco Fanfulla  4 , Dries Testelmans  5 , Ludger Grote  6 , Joseph M Montserrat  7 , Jean-Louis Pepin  8 , Johan Verbraecken  9 , Refika Ersu  10 , Maria R Bonsignore  11
Affiliations

Sleep laboratories reopening and COVID-19: a European perspective

Sophia Schiza et al. Eur Respir J. .

Abstract

Clinical activities regarding sleep disordered breathing (SDB) have been sharply interrupted during the initial phase of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) epidemic throughout Europe. In the past months, activities have gradually restarted, according to epidemiological phase of COVID-19 and national recommendations. The recent increase in cases throughout Europe demands a reconsideration of management strategies of SDB accordingly. Diagnosis of SDB and initiation of treatment pose some specific problems to be addressed to preserve the safety of patients and health personnel. This perspective document by a group of European sleep experts aims to summarise some different approaches followed in Europe and United States, which reflect national recommendations according to the epidemiological phase of the COVID-19 infection. Respiratory sleep medicine is likely to change in the near future, and use of telemedicine will grow to avoid unnecessary risks and continue to provide optimal care to patients. In addition, the document covers paediatric sleep studies and indications for titration of noninvasive ventilation, as well as precautions to be followed by patients who are already on positive airway pressure treatment. A single consensus document developed by the European Respiratory Society and national societies would be desirable to harmonise SDB management throughout Europe.

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Conflict of interest statement

Conflict of interest: S. Schiza has nothing to disclose. Conflict of interest: A. Simonds has nothing to disclose. Conflict of interest: W. Randerath has nothing to disclose. Conflict of interest: F. Fanfulla has nothing to disclose. Conflict of interest: D. Testelmans has nothing to disclose. Conflict of interest: L. Grote has nothing to disclose. Conflict of interest: J.M. Montserrat has nothing to disclose. Conflict of interest: J-L. Pepin has nothing to disclose. Conflict of interest: J. Verbraecken has nothing to disclose. Conflict of interest: R. Ersu has nothing to disclose. Conflict of interest: M.R. Bonsignore has nothing to disclose.

Figures

FIGURE 1
FIGURE 1
Flow chart summarising the screening procedures commonly adopted before access to the sleep laboratory or clinic. In phases of high coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19) transmission in the community, access to the sleep laboratory is limited to very urgent cases, and may require PCR testing.
FIGURE 2
FIGURE 2
Flow chart summarising diagnostic procedures and precautions. In phases of high coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19) transmission in the community, PCR is usually required if in-laboratory polysomnography (PSG) is considered essential for diagnosis.
FIGURE 3
FIGURE 3
Flow chart summarising positive airway pressure (PAP) titration procedures and precautions. In phases of high coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19) transmission in the community, in-laboratory titration is avoided, and may require PCR testing. PSG: polysomnography; NIV: noninvasive ventilation.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

References

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