From the Research
To qualify for Inspire, a patient must have moderate to severe obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) that is unable to be controlled with continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) therapy or oral appliance therapy, as indicated by a high apnea-hypopnea index (AHI) and symptoms such as excessive daytime sleepiness. The qualification process involves a comprehensive evaluation of the patient's sleep history, current symptoms, and response to existing treatments, including CPAP and oral appliance therapy 1. According to the most recent study, patients with OSA who are unable to tolerate CPAP therapy or have residual sleepiness despite CPAP treatment may be eligible for Inspire therapy 2. The patient's AHI, body mass index (BMI), and Epworth sleepiness scale scores are also taken into consideration during the qualification process.
Some key points to consider when qualifying for Inspire include:
- The patient must have moderate to severe OSA, as defined by an AHI of 15 or higher 3
- The patient must have tried and failed CPAP therapy or oral appliance therapy, or be unable to tolerate these treatments 4
- The patient must have symptoms such as excessive daytime sleepiness, as measured by the Epworth sleepiness scale 2
- The patient's BMI and AHI are also taken into consideration during the qualification process 2
It's worth noting that the most recent study on this topic, published in 2025, found that patients with residual sleepiness despite CPAP treatment were more likely to be female, have a lower BMI and AHI, and have poorer CPAP adherence 2. Overall, the qualification process for Inspire involves a comprehensive evaluation of the patient's sleep history, current symptoms, and response to existing treatments, and is based on the most recent and highest quality evidence available.