Impact of Snoring on US Economy!

“It is estimated that sleep apnea costs the U.S. Economy over $ 88.4 billion each year” A 10 year survey of 5600 patient shows a significant socioeconomic impact of snoring and sleep apnea.                

Philadelphia PA, May 31, 2006 – In a recent survey of 5,600 snoring patients, doctors focused on the impact of snoring and sleep apnea in three levels of the patient’s daily life: personal, institutional and socioeconomic.  “We know that patients who suffer from severe snoring and sleep apnea have an increased level of morbidity and mortality,” according to Dr. Mansoor Madani, Chairman of Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery at the Capital Health System in Trenton and associate professor of oral surgery at Temple University in Philadelphia. “Over 35% of patients also suffered from depression, anxiety and reported having family issues directly related to their snoring,” added Madani.  The study revealed that these personal issues affected their job performance as well. Over 48% had trouble concentrating at work and got tired easily.  It was also noted that these patients in the study had continued difficulties in problem solving and performing complex tasks. “Our concern was the impact it had on their driving habits.  18% of patients reported they dozed while driving at least once over the last five years and 7% were involved in accidents causing injuries to themselves and others,” explained Dr. Madani, who has been treating patients with snoring and sleep apnea for the last twelve years and is one of pioneering surgeons in laser surgery.  Incidentally, there are alternatives to coping with the effects of snoring, such as new non-invasive surgical procedures.

Of an estimated 25 million patients who suffer from sleep apnea, only 5% have actually been diagnosed with sleep apnea.  “Snoring is one of the main indicators of sleep apnea and unfortunately is largely being ignored,” says Madani. “It costs the economy of United States over $88.4 billion dollars each year in poor performance, accident claims and healthcare costs,” adds Madani.   However, corporate employee health and wellness programs are on the rise.  One of the latest trends for corporations is to invite professionals like Madani to go to their site and discuss the health risks of snoring and sleep apnea.  “After all snoring is not funny and has potential to kill if is associated with severe sleep apnea,” according to Dr. Madani.  His extended findings will be published in an upcoming issue of the Clinics of North America.

For more information, visit www.snorenet.com.

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How did the experts calculate the impact of sleep apnea on the economy?

A few assumptions:

1.  *25 million American suffer from sleep apnea

2.  *200,000 each year are involved in MVA (Motor Vehicle Accidents) because of sleep problems

·   Of these at least 50,000 are estimated to be directly related to sleep apnea

·   Insurance cost per accidents is estimated to be over $80,000

·   Total estimated insurance cost for MVA related to sleep apnea only $ 4 Billion 

3. *38,000 die each year from complications of sleep apnea (i.e. heart attack, stroke etc.)

·  Cost of healthcare in the ER or ICU is in excess of $ 50,000 per patient

·  The total estimated cost is $ 1.9 Billion

4. There are over 2500 sleep labs in the US

·   Each sleep lab has an average of 4 beds

·   They operate an average of 5 night per week, 50 weeks a year

·   Total number of studies about 1000

·   Cost of sleep studies are about $ 2,000.00 per patient per night

·   Total estimated number of people that could be studied per year 2,500,000 (That’s only 10% of total people who are estimated to have sleep apnea.)

·   Total cost of sleep studies for 2.5 million patient only is $ 5 billion

·   Cost of CPAP treatment per patient is about $2000.00

·   Cost of CPAP for ½ of 2.5 million patients (assuming that the other half did not want to use or try CPAP is $ 2.5 Billion

5. Productivity ratio is at least 10% less in people who suffer from sleep apnea

·  That is estimated to costs the US economy $ 75 Billion each year

(The above statistics are related to sleep apnea and the numbers indicated by (*) are estimations by the American Sleep Apnea Association) 

** Source Center for Corrective Surgery, Bala Cynwyd, PA
 

Economic Impact of Sleep Apnea
By Dr. Mansoor Madani

1. Personal impacts

   1. Major medical issues

                   i.   Increased morbidity & mortality

                   ii.   Heart attacks

                   iii.  Stroke

                  iv.  Hypertension

2. Emotional issues

                   i.  Depression

                   ii.  Anxiety

                  iii.   Agitation

3. Quality of life issues

                  i.   Family issues

                  ii.  Increased divorce rate

4. Personal financial impacts

                  i.  Cost of medical care

                  ii.  Prescription & over the counter drug expenses

2. Institutional impacts

   1. Job Performance

                  i. Inability to focus & concentrate at work

                  ii. Reduced problem solving ability

                  iii. Inability to perform complex tasks

                 iv. Tired at work

                  v. PM performance gap issues

2. High healthcare expenses

                   i.      Illness related job loss

3. Social & society impacts

   1. Increased risk of accidents

   2. Causing injuries to others (bus & truck drivers)

   3. Causing injuries to co-workers

   4. Creating disasters: Chernobyl Accident, Three mile Island, Exxon Valdese

For more information, visit http://www.snorenet.com.