University of Arizona Receives $1.4 Million Grant For Peer Supported Program to Assist Sleep Apnea Patients

Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute (PCORI) has rewarded University of Arizona College of Medicine - Tucson Professor Sairam Parthasarathy, MD a nearly $1.4 million grant for a peer-support program for sleep apnea patients.

The program will allow Dr. Parthasarathy and his research team to implement findings of a previous project in which peers were trained to help patients treat sleep apnea.

Patients of Banner - University Medicine clinics in Tucson will be able to access the program, along with 11 other Banner Health systems' centers in six states joining in the near future. The Banner Health system currently conducts 11,000 sleep studies, and treats 9,000 patients for sleep disorders, annually.

Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) currently affects 12% of the US population, nearly 50% of which are treated via CPAP machines. Proper use of CPAP treatments can lead to reductions in fatal and nonfatal cardiovascular events that are often seen in patients suffering from OSA, while improper use can lead to increases in such events.

“Our biggest barrier to treating sleep apnea is helping individuals use a CPAP machine. We are creating a therapy program that trains 'peer buddies' to educate and support new CPAP patients on how to use a CPAP machine. ” -Dr. Sairam Parthasarathy

Executive Director of PCORI, Joe Selby, MD, MPH stated "This project was selected for PCORI funding not only for its scientific merit and commitment to engaging patients and other health-care stakeholders in a major study conducted in real-world settings but also for its potential to answer an important question about the effective treatment of sleep apnea and to fill a crucial evidence gap. We look forward to following the study's progress and working with the University of Arizona to share its results."

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