Sleep apnoea

It is estimated that about 110,000 people in the UK suffer from sleep apnoea/hypopnea. Prevalence is higher in men than in women and higher in those who are overweight^{^[i]}^{,^[ii]}

Obstructive Sleep Apnoea (OSA) is one of the most common sleep disorders. It’s frequency is similar to that of Type 1 diabetes and twice that of severe asthma[iii]

It affects an estimated 4% of males and 2% of females in the UK, although it is thought to be considerably higher in specific groups and occupations, such as long-distance lorry drivers, where the consequences can be fatal or lead to serious injury if left undiagnosed and un-treated[v]

It is estimated that only one in 10 patients with the syndrome has so far been diagnosed and treated. The rate of treatment in the UK is lower than most other developed countries^{^[vi]}

Untreated cases of obstructive sleep apnoea are costing the NHS £432million per year. This figure is based on the fact that 80% of patients are unaware of the condition and do not seek treatment, leading to hospital admissions and treatment for related conditions e.g. cardiovascular disease[vii]

Treating 500 patients for obstructive sleep apnoea/hypopnea syndrome for five years could be expected to prevent one fatal road accident, 75 accidents that cause injury and 224 accidents that involve damage to property. This equates to £5.3million saved against an estimated treatment cost of £0.4million[viii]

Obstructive sleep apnoea patients are prevented from driving whilst awaiting treatment[ix] and any delay in treatment can have serious implications for employment

Sufferers have a seven-fold increased risk of road accidents while driving^{^[x]}

[i] Sleep Apnoea Trust www.sleep-apnoea-trust.org/faq.html

[ii] Written answer to parliamentary question from Angela Smith MP to Iris Robinson MP – 07-06-04

[iii] http://www.osaonline.com/prevalence.asp

[iv] http://www.sleep-apnoea-trust.org

[v] http://www.osaonline.com/prevalence.asp

[vi] Lung Report III (2003) The British Lung Foundation

[vii]http://www.sleeping.org.uk/news/documents/SOSreport_pages_29.06.04.pdf

[viii] http://www.sleeping.org.uk/news/documents/SOSreport_pages_29.06.04.pdf

[ix] http://www.dvla.gov.uk/at_a_glance/ch7_renal_respiratory.htm

[x] Lung Report III (2003) The British Lung Foundation