epidemiology

Last reviewed 09/2021

Around 80% of sleep apnoea cases are thought to be undiagnosed. 

• in the UK, Up to 4% of middle-aged men and 2% of middle-aged women suffer from symptoms of obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA)
• this figure rises considerably in older people with 15 to 20% of those aged 70 and over estimated to have the condition.
• OSA may affect up to 3% of children, most of whom have large tonsils. It is also commonly seen in children with certain disabilities (e.g. - Down’s syndrome) and in very obese children (1)
• the risk of obstructive sleep apnea among relatives of patients with the disorder is almost twice
• it is also associated with an increased risk of motor vehicle accidents (2)

Reference:

• (1) British Lung Foundation. Top tips for GPs and primary care. Obstructive sleep apnoea.  
• (2) Basner RC. Continuous Positive Airway Pressure for Obstructive Sleep Apnea.N Engl J Med 2007; 356:1751