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

Is there a correlation of sleep apnea and migraine/severe or chronic headaches?

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

yes

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

Use of CPAP, Tooth guard, UPPP and other options to control sleep apnea and the incidence in headaches.

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 sleep apnea. Patients with migraine/chronic severe headaches.

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

Obese vs. Non obese patients

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

Improvement in migraines and chronic severe headaches through best treatment for sleep apnea, as well as an understanding of the correlation of the two health issues.

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

Chronic use of headache medication and it's impact on sleep patterns or exacerbation of sleep apnea.

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.?

yes

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

EHC Priority Conditions (updated in 2008)

• Depression and other mental health disorders
• Obesity

AHRQ Priority Populations

• Women

Federal Health Care Program

• Medicaid
• Medicare
• State Children's Health Insurance Program (SCHIP)
• Other

Importance

Describe why this topic is important.

Understanding the correlation of the two problems might lead to more effective treatment for both. A high incidence of both conditions could indicate a need to find appropriate treatments so as not to exacerbate one condition or the other.

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 have sleep apnea, use a CPAP, but have migraines/severe headaches daily. I am not overweight and am looking for solutions.

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.)

If yes, please explain:

Clinical care or protocols.

Potential Impact

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

If the correlation is significant, it could lead to effective treatment for both conditions.

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

I have suffered with both problems for over 15 years, so I have no timeframe.

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

The biggest inequity is that sleep apnea, while treatable renders a person uninsurable.

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)

If the correlation is significant, it could lead to effective treatment for both conditions.

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

Good housekeeping magazine