______________________________________________________________________________________________ AI in Diagnostics
geographic challenges, and fragmented care pathways make it even less likely that patients with non-classical symptoms get a formal diagnosis,” the Professor adds.
Estimates put the annual societal cost of undiagnosed and untreated obstructive sleep apnea at about $ 150 billion
The clinical consequences stretch far beyond sleep clinics.“ Clinically, untreated sleep apnea links to hypertension, coronary artery disease, stroke, heart failure, type 2 diabetes, depression, cognitive decline, and a higher risk of dementia,” the Professor observes.
She highlights the impact of ongoing physiological stress.“ Repeated sleep fragmentation and intermittent low oxygen levels speed up the development and progression of chronic diseases. Patients with undiagnosed sleep apnea use healthcare services more often and rack up higher medical costs,” the Professor points out.
The economic impact goes well beyond healthcare budgets.“ From an economic perspective, the effect is substantial. Current US estimates put the annual societal cost of undiagnosed and untreated obstructive sleep apnea at about $ 150 billion, including direct healthcare costs, lost workplace productivity, and more motor vehicle and occupational accidents,” she explains.
She highlights a key risk area.“ Motor vehicle accidents alone account for several billion dollars each year,” the Professor continues. She ties this to functional impairment.“ Chronic sleep deprivation impairs concentration, decision-making,
americanhealthcareleader. com 27