The European INNOBICS-SAHS project, focused on innovation in the diagnosis and treatment of obstructive sleep apnea, has reached its final phase with highly positive results. The Girona Biomedical Research Institute (IDIBGI) has participated in this initiative through the Respiratory Research Group, linked to the Pulmonology Service of Trueta and Santa Caterina hospitals, which have led this European project, and the Translational Research group on Cardiovascular Respiratory Diseases.
The main objective of the INNOBICS-SAHS project has been to establish an efficient model for detecting and managing sleep apnea from Primary Care, in collaboration with the Sleep Unit at Trueta and Santa Caterina hospitals. Through the Virtual Support Unit, pulmonology and nursing professionals from the Sleep Unit interact with a trained nurse at each primary care center to implement the program. Patients suspected of having sleep apnea are given a digital medical record and provided with an electromedical device (a sleep polygraph), which they must use at home for one night to collect sleep data.
During the project's development (2022-2024), a total of 11,349 patients were attended in Primary Care, of whom 3,567 were at risk of sleep apnea. Additionally, 3,519 home respiratory polygraph tests were conducted, with a 94% success rate in evaluations by the Virtual Sleep Unit. Among these cases, 73% were confirmed as sleep apnea patients (2,524 cases). Research findings have demonstrated that this innovative system enables faster and more accurate diagnoses, reducing waiting times and facilitating access to personalized treatments for patients.
The initiative has been funded by the European organization EIT Health and was driven by a consortium led by the Institut Català de la Salut (ICS) Girona, with the participation of IDIBGI, the Fundació TIC Salut Social, Centro Hospitalar de Lisboa Norte, Pulso Ediciones, TRC Informática, ResMed Spain, and OXIGEN Salud.
This project has also helped consolidate the Sleep Unit at Trueta and Santa Caterina hospitals as a leading center for research and treatment of sleep disorders. Since its relocation to new facilities at the Martí i Julià Hospital Park in Salt in April 2023, the Sleep Unit has conducted 6,526 diagnostic tests, including 1,270 overnight studies such as full video-polysomnographies. These tests have improved patient monitoring for sleep apnea and other respiratory disorders related to sleep.
The INNOBICS project has represented a major step forward in the early detection and treatment of obstructive sleep apnea, a condition that may affect up to 25% of the population aged 30 to 70. Collaboration between researchers, healthcare professionals, and institutions has been essential in consolidating a model that could be extended to other regions in the future, improving the quality of life for individuals affected by this disorder.
Eric Rojas, doctor at the Pulmonology Service of Dr. Josep Trueta and Santa Caterina hospitals, a key reference in the Sleep Unit, and a researcher in IDIBGI’s Respiratory Research Group, explains: "Early diagnosis and treatment not only improve patients' quality of life but also prevent severe complications. Treating patients early and correctly reduces the risk of complications derived from cardiovascular diseases."
Sobre l’IDIBGI
L'Institut d'Investigació Biomèdica de Girona Dr. Josep Trueta (IDIBGI) fa recerca translacional per millorar la salut i la cura de les persones. L’IDIBGI s’organitza en 24 grups de recerca distribuïts en cinc àrees científiques (Cardiovascular i Respiratòria, Metabolisme i Inflamació, Neurociències, Oncohematologia i Salut Mental) que agrupen més de 400 persones, entre professionals de la salut i investigadors bàsics, a les comarques gironines.
L’IDIBGI és una fundació de dret privat del sector públic de la Generalitat de Catalunya, i el seu patronat està integrat pels Departaments de Salut i Recerca, l’Institut Català Salut (ICS) Girona, l’Institut d'Assistència Sanitària (IAS), l'Institut Català d’Oncologia (ICO) Girona, i la Universitat de Girona. L'IDIBGI és un centre CERCA (Centres de Recerca de Catalunya).
