Implementation of a computer-guided consultation in the assessment of suspected obstructive sleep apnoea syndrome.

Background: We describe implementation of a clinical decision support system, a computer-guided consultation (CGC), in the assessment of subjects referred with suspected obstructive sleep apnoea syndrome (OSAS).

Methods: Two cohorts of patients were assessed. The first 100 cases had data collected with the CGC by a specialist sleep physician (stage1).

A Screening Study to Determine the Prevalence of Airway Disease in Heroin Smokers.

Over the last 20 years smoking has become the most common method of heroin use and increasing numbers of heroin smokers are presenting to local medical services, before the age of 40 years, with severe airway disease. To determine COPD prevalence we recruited 129 subjects from two local community drug services, of whom 107 were heroin smokers. We collected demographic, medical and treatment data, smoking history (including cannabis and opiates) and details of symptoms including MRC dyspnoea.