Came accross this study on the NAPS site.
I think it just bears out what most people knew. Untreated OSA sufferers are, not alone, a danger to everyone else but they also are above average users of healthcare systems.

CPAP usage lowers this usage.

As usual, any comments very welcome.



Daniel.
 

Sleep 2005;28(10):1306-11.
Utilization of healthcare resources in obstructive sleep apnea syndrome: a 5-year follow-up study in men using CPAP.
ALBARRAK M, BANNO K, SABBAGH AA, DELAIVE K, WALLD R, MANFREDA J, KRYGER MH.
Sleep Disorders Center, St Boniface General Hospital, Section of Respiratory Diseases, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada

STUDY OBJECTIVES: Patients with untreated obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS) have higher healthcare utilization than matched controls. However, the long-term impact of continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) use on healthcare utilization is unknown.

DESIGN: Retrospective observational cohort study.

SUBJECTS: There were 342 eligible men with OSAS and matched controls on whom there were utilization data for 5 years prior to initial OSAS diagnosis and for the 5 years on CPAP treatment of the cases.

INTERVENTIONS: Patients were treated with CPAP.

RESULTS: Patients with OSAS were typical cases (mean SD): age, 48.2 0.6 years; body mass index, 35.6 0.4 kg/m2; Epworth Sleepiness Scale score, 14.2 0.3; apnea-hypopnea index, 47.1 1.8 events per hour. The number of physician visits were higher by 3.46 0.2 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 2.57 to 4.36) in cases in the year before diagnosis, compared with the fifth year before diagnosis, then decreased over the next 5 years by 1.03 0.49 (95% CI: -1.99 to -0.07)(P<.0001). Physician fees, in Canadian dollars, were higher by dollars 148.65 dollars 27.27 (95% CI: 95.12 to 202.10) in cases in the year before diagnosis, compared with the fifth year before diagnosis, and then decreased over the next 5 years by dollars 13.92 dollars 27.94(95%CI: -68.68 to 40.83)(P=.0009). Preexisting ischemic heart disease at the time of OSAS diagnosis predicted about a 5-fold increase in healthcare utilization between the second and fifth year of treatment.

CONCLUSIONS: Treatment of OSAS reversed the trend of increasing healthcare utilization seen prior to diagnosis. Preexisting ischemic heart disease results in a negative impact on healthcare utilization. CPAP results in a long-term health benefit, as measured by the use of healthcare services.


_________________
The untreated Sleep Apnoea sufferer died quietly in his sleep.......
Unlike his three passengers who died screaming !!!!!!

(Anon)