Obstructive sleep apnea costs the US and UK economies more than £137 billion ($185 billion) a year, a report says. the study.
People with serious health conditions repeatedly and temporarily stop breathing during sleep. They tend to snore very loudly and sometimes wake up gasping for breath.
Patients often feel extremely tired during the day. The condition is thought to affect around 1 billion people worldwide (including 8 million people in the UK), but up to 85% are undiagnosed. If untreated, it can lead to an increased risk of heart attack and stroke.
A new study led by researchers at University College London surveyed more than 4,000 adults in the UK and US and found that around one-fifth of respondents reported stopping breathing for three or more nights and excessive daytime sleepiness, core criteria for the diagnosis of sleep apnea.
Next, they estimated the impact of symptoms due to absence from work and poor performance. The authors calculated that obstructive sleep apnea costs the US economy $180bn (£133bn) and the UK economy £4.2bn each year.
They concluded that this was probably an underestimate because the analysis did not include increased medical costs, road transport costs or the costs of accidents at work.
A study published in the journal Thorax calls for workplace screening. and early treatment.
“Considering the important yet often overlooked burden, [obstructive sleep apnoea] “Given this and its economic impact, we urge policymakers to allocate resources to developing effective testing strategies and implementing targeted public health campaigns and policies,” the authors write.
“Early detection and treatment” [obstructive sleep apnoea]Together with proactive early follow-up, this can lead to significant savings where productivity costs can reach billions of dollars annually. ”
However, while new low-cost technologies and screening algorithms may make it easier to diagnose the condition, maintaining treatment is not always easy.
Nearly two-thirds of patients discontinue continuous positive airway pressure therapy, the standard treatment for sleep apnea. Alternatives, e.g. weight loss drugsa mouthguard to keep the airway open, hypoglossal nerve stimulation implant, It is not suitable for all patients with this condition.
And some workers may fear being punished, some experts warn. Unite, the union representing many road and passenger transport drivers, supports testing, but only if drivers are fully protected and not targeted. Adrian Jones, Unite’s national director, said: ‘Professional drivers often hide their sleep apnea problems for fear of losing their job.
“Before introducing screening, employers must be well educated that sleep apnea can be managed effectively. Workers must have confidence that if a problem is identified, they will be supported rather than dismissed.”
