Briefly describe a specific question, or set of related questions, about a health care test or treatment that this program should consider.

Is sporadic pneumothorax related to and or a precursor to sleep apnea?

Does your question include a comparison of different health care approaches? (If no, your topic will still be considered.)

no

If yes, explain the specific technologies, devices, drugs, or interventions you would like to see compared:

What patients or group(s) of patients does your question apply to? (Please include specific details such as age range, gender, coexisting diagnoses, and indications for therapy.)

Patients with sporadic pneumothorax and their caregivers.

Patients with sleep apnea and their caregivers.

Are there subgroups of patients that your question might apply to? (For example, an ethnic group, stage or severity of a disease.)

Is there a group that sporadic pneumothorax occurs in more frequently? (Young males?)

Describe the health-related benefits you are interested in. (For example, improvements in patient symptoms or problems from treatment or diagnosis.)

As a caregiver of a husband who suffered a sporadic pneumothorax, then later sleep apnea, I wonder if there is any connection. Could people perhaps be alerted to a potential connection here?

Describe any health-related risks, side effects, or harms that you are concerned about.

None that I am aware of.

Appropriateness for EHC Program

Does your question include a health care drug, intervention, device, or technology available (or likely to be available) in the U.S.?

Which priority area(s) and population(s) does this topic apply to? (check all that apply)

EHC Priority Conditions (updated in 2008)

• Pulmonary disease/asthma

AHRQ Priority Populations

• Low income groups
• Minority groups

Federal Health Care Program

• Other

Importance

Describe why this topic is important.

There is no conclusive evidence that I can find on this topic.

What specifically motivated you to ask this question? (For example, you are developing a clinical guideline, working with a policy with large uncertainty about the appropriate approach, costly intervention, new research you have read, items in the media you may have seen, a clinical practice dilemma you know of, etc.)

I am a caregiver of a patient who suffered a sporadic pneumothorax.

Does your question represent uncertainty for clinicians and/or policy-makers? (For example, variations in clinical care, controversy in what constitutes appropriate clinical care, or a policy decision.)

no

If yes, please explain:

Potential Impact

How will an answer to your research question be used or help inform decisions for you or your group?

This is a research question that I think would help many people.

Describe the timeframe in which an answer to your question is needed.

When possible

Describe any health disparities, inequities, or impact on vulnerable populations your question applies to.

Nominator Information

Other Information About You: (optional)

Please choose a description that best describes your role or perspective: (you may select more than one category if appropriate)

This is a research question that I think would help many people.

Are you making a suggestion as an individual or on behalf of an organization?

Individual

Please tell us how you heard about the Effective Health Care Program