Sleep Research
The Silent Epidemic: A New Study Unveils Obstructive Sleep Apnea's Public Health Challenge
This blog delves into a pressing issue concerning Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA), a serious health condition associated with elevated morbidity and mortality risks. Despite extensive research in high-risk groups, limited data exist on OSA's prevalence in the general population. A comprehensive study, led by Dr. Pauline Balagny and her team, seeks to bridge this knowledge gap by examining the prevalence and determinants of OSA in a population in France. The study's findings are startling, revealing that one in five participants, representing 20.9% of the population, had a high likelihood of OSA, but only 3.5% were receiving treatment for the disorder. This alarming statistic underscores a significant underdiagnosis of OSA in the general population. The prevalence of severe snoring was found to be 37.2%, with hypersomnolence affecting 14.6% of the population.
Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA) is a severe health condition associated with increased morbidity and mortality rates. Although OSA has been extensively studied in high-risk populations, data on its prevalence in the general population remains limited. A comprehensive study published in ERJ Open Research seeks to bridge this knowledge gap by assessing the prevalence and determinants of OSA on a population in France.
The research was spearheaded by Pauline Balagny, MD, from the University of Paris-Cité, and her team, including Emmanuelle Vidal-Petiot, Adeline Renuy, Joane Matta, Justine Frija-Masson, Philippe Gabriel Steg, Marcel Goldberg, Marie Zins, Marie-Pia d'Ortho, and Emmanuel Wiernik. The study, involving 20,151 French adults aged between 18 and 69 years, paints a concerning picture of OSA prevalence and diagnosis rates.
The study leveraged data from the French population-based CONSTANCES cohort. Participants were either being treated for sleep apnea or screened for OSA using the Berlin questionnaire, a widely-used tool for OSA risk assessment. Key metrics assessed included the prevalence of severe snoring and hypersomnolence, two common OSA symptoms, along with data on high blood pressure and obesity.
The findings were startling: one in five participants, representing 20.9% of the population, had a high likelihood of OSA, but only 3.5% were being treated for the disorder. This alarming statistic underscores the major underdiagnosis of OSA in the general population. The prevalence of severe snoring was 37.2%, and hypersomnolence was 14.6%.
The study also identified key factors associated with either treated OSA or a positive Berlin questionnaire result: male sex, older age, previous cardiovascular events, smoking, low educational level, low physical activity, and depressive symptoms. Notably, women were at a higher risk of having undiagnosed OSA.
The gap between OSA's prevalence and its diagnosis rate is disconcerting. Many people with OSA remain unaware that their symptoms of snoring and daytime sleepiness are signs of a serious problem. "OSA is a major health hazard," said Balagny, "but if patients are diagnosed with the condition, they can be given treatments and advice to mitigate the risks."
The call for raising OSA awareness is resounding. Once diagnosed, individuals can access treatment and advice that significantly lower the risk of severe complications such as stroke, heart disease, and diabetes. The study further emphasizes the need to improve the detection of OSA in women, who appear to be at a higher risk of remaining undiagnosed.
While the study offers valuable insights, it does have limitations. It relied on a questionnaire rather than testing participants in a sleep clinic, which might have provided more definitive results. However, its strength lies in its large and representative sample of the French population, providing a comprehensive overview of the situation.
At Neurobit, we're devoted to enhancing sleep health research and management. We offer cutting-edge technologies that contribute to a deeper understanding of sleep patterns and their impact on health, including OSA management. Our suite of solutions includes Neurobit Score, an AI and deep learning platform for accurate sleep event labeling, Z3 Pulse, a wearable ECG device for detailed sleep reports with personalized guidance, and Neurobit Hub, a platform for collecting and analyzing large datasets, promoting the discovery of novel biomarkers and treatment strategies for conditions like OSA.
In the fight against OSA, early detection and intervention are vital. With more awareness, improved diagnosis, and innovative solutions like ours, we can start addressing this hidden epidemic more effectively, thus reducing the related health risks and improving the quality of life for many.
The researchers involved in the study are continuing to probe deeper into OSA, particularly its links with cardiovascular diseases. They are also exploring if screening for OSA could aid heart attack patients, potentially paving the way for more comprehensive and effective health care strategies. While the findings of this study are based on the French population, the issue of OSA underdiagnosis is a global concern. Regardless of location, many with the condition are likely unaware of their status. It underscores the need for increased global awareness, comprehensive screening programs, and advanced sleep health technologies.
At Neurobit, we're committed to playing our part in this international effort. Our technologies are designed to empower users with a deeper understanding of their sleep health and support clinicians in providing effective and personalized treatment strategies. By harnessing the power of technology, we can help to unmask the silent epidemic of OSA, providing better health outcomes for patients across the globe.
Join us in this endeavor. If you're interested in learning more about our solutions or if you have any questions, don't hesitate to get in touch. Together, we can make a difference in the fight against OSA.
As the saying goes, "Sleep well, to live well." At Neurobit, we're committed to making this a reality for everyone.
Email: Research@Neurobit.com
Citation:
Balagny, P., Vidal-Petiot, E., Renuy, A., Matta, J., Frija-Masson, J., Steg, P. G., Goldberg, M., Zins, M., d’Ortho, M.-P., & Wiernik, E. (2023). Prevalence, treatment and determinants of obstructive sleep apnoea and its symptoms in a population-based French cohort. ERJ Open Research, 9(3), 00053–02023.
Revolutionizing data management & analysis in sleep health and population health research.
Clinically validated, fully featured, AASM compliant, Cloud-AI powered automatic sleep scoring system.
Sleep Research
A New Frontier in Technology-Enabled Biomarker Discovery and Sleep Disorder Diagnosis: Moving Past Traditional AHI and Highlighting Ventilatory Burden
Sleep Research
Study Emphasizes Prioritizing Sleep Regularity Over Quantity or Quality for Impact on OSA and Hypertension Management
Sleep Research
Breathing Life into Memories: The Role of Respiration in Sleep-Induced Memory Consolidation
Sleep Research
The Future of Pediatric Cardiology: The Emergence of Smart Wearables in Cardiac Monitoring and Arrhythmia Detection
Sleep Research
Impact of Sleep on Athletic Performance
Sleep Research