Mixed
Untreated obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) imposes a massive global economic burden, with undiagnosed cases in the US alone costing an estimated $149.6 billion annually due to lost productivity, comorbidities, and accidents.
If you suspect you have sleep apnea (snoring, daytime sleepiness), seek diagnosis. The economic and health costs of leaving it untreated are substantial, including increased risk of accidents and chronic diseases. Treatment, particularly CPAP, is often cost-effective and can save money in the long run by preventing comorbidities.
In 2016, the AASM commissioned Frost & Sullivan to conduct a comprehensive analysis of the economic impact of OSA... 80% of adults, with 20% diagnosed and largely due to undiagnosed OSA among US adults in 2015 was $149.6 billion, consisting of $86.9 billion due to lost productivity and absenteeism, $30 billion from the increased risk of medical comorbidities, $26.2 billion from MVA and $6.5 billion from workplace accidents.
Why this rating
Based on large-scale epidemiological studies (Benjafield et al.) and commissioned economic analyses (Frost & Sullivan, Deloitte), though specific primary trial data for cost-effectiveness varies by region.
Source
Global burden of sleep‐disordered breathing and its implications
M. Melanie Lyons et al. · Respirology · 2020
DOI 10.1111/resp.13838
More from this paper
- Obesity and advanced age are the primary drivers of the increasing global prevalence of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA).Strong
- Positive airway pressure (PAP) therapy is more effective than no treatment in improving apnea-hypopnea index (AHI), Epworth Sleepiness Score (ESS), and disease-specific quality of life, and is cost-effective from a societal perspective.Good
Related findings · Mixed
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