title: The economic impact of obstructive sleep apnea.
abstract: Untreated obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) increases healthcare utilization and is associated with reduced work performance and occupational injuries. The economic burden related to untreated OSA is substantial, accounting for billions of dollars per year. Furthermore, therapy of OSA is an extremely cost-efficient use of healthcare resources, comparing highly favorably with other commonly funded medical therapies. Governments, transportation agencies, industry, and insurance companies need to be better informed concerning the economic impact of untreated OSA and the benefits of therapy.
authors: Department of Medicine, University of British Columbia, and Respiratory Division, Vancouver General Hospital, British Columbia, Canada.
authors: Nayef
authors: N
authors: AlGhanim
authors: Vikram R
authors: VR
authors: Comondore
authors: John
authors: J
authors: Fleetham
authors: Carlo A
authors: CA
authors: Marra
authors: Najib T
authors: NT
authors: Ayas
mesh_terms: D000062:Accidents, Occupational / Q000191:economics; D001294:Attitude to Health; D045422:Continuous Positive Airway Pressure / Q000191:economics*; D017281:Cost of Illness; D003362:Cost-Benefit Analysis; D004526:Efficiency; D017048:Health Care Costs; D015276:Health Care Rationing; D005102:Health Expenditures; D006296:Health Services / Q000191:economics* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006297:Health Services Accessibility / Q000191:economics; D006801:Humans; D011361:Professional Competence / Q000191:economics; D020181:Sleep Apnea, Obstructive / Q000191:economics* / Q000628:therapy*; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014940:Work Schedule Tolerance