Sleep organizations release OSA resource

DARIEN, Ill. – Count on Sleep, a collaboration led by the American Academy of Sleep Medicine and the Sleep Research Society, has released a national indicator report for obstructive sleep apnea that provides an in-depth analysis of symptoms, risk factors, prevalence and burden. 

The report was made possible through a grant from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion.  

“Through this report, we can increase awareness of obstructive sleep apnea with patients, health workers, public health officials, regulators and others to spur prompt diagnosis and management, allowing patients to reap the many benefits of treatment,” said Dr. Indira Gurubhagavatula, chair of the project’s Tool Development and Surveillance Workgroup. “Benefits of treatment include improved daytime alertness, cardiovascular health, performance at home and at work, and quality of life.”   

Obstructive sleep apnea affects an estimated 30 million Americans, with 80% of cases remain undiagnosed. It can lead to substantial costs: Approximately 23.5 million cases of undiagnosed OSA in the U.S. incur $149.6 billion in costs annually due to greater health care utilization, increased motor vehicle and workplace accidents, and reduced productivity.  

Other partnering organizations in the project are the Alliance of Sleep Apnea Partners, American Academy of Dental Sleep Medicine, American Academy of Otolaryngology – Head and Neck Surgery, American College of Chest Physicians, American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery, American Thoracic Society, and National Sleep Foundation.