Public health implications of obstructive sleep apnea burden

Ileana Baldi1, Achal Gulati, Giulia Lorenzoni

  • 1Unit of Biostatistics, Epidemiology and Public Health, Department of Cardiac, Thoracic and Vascular Sciences, University of Padova, Via Loredan, 18, 35121, Padova, Italy, ileana.baldi@unipd.it.

Insights

Treating obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) in Indian children reduces obesity and related diseases like stroke and diabetes. Early detection and intervention are crucial for public health policies to manage childhood OSA burden.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Sleep Medicine
  • Public Health
  • Epidemiology

Background:

  • Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is a growing concern in Indian children.
  • Childhood obesity is a significant risk factor for adverse health outcomes associated with OSA.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To evaluate the impact of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) burden on Indian children.
  • To estimate the number of obesity cases and associated adverse outcomes (stroke, CHD, type 2 diabetes) in children with OSA.

Main Methods:

  • Monte Carlo simulations were employed to model OSA-related obesity and its consequences.
  • Data were sourced from a literature review on pediatric OSA and obesity.

Main Results:

  • Treatment for OSA, including adenotonsillectomy (AT) and CPAP, significantly reduced obesity cases and associated adverse outcomes.
  • Despite treatment benefits, the cost of managing adverse outcomes was higher in treated OSA patients compared to untreated ones.

Conclusions:

  • Treating OSA in children leads to a substantial decrease in obesity-related adverse health events.
  • Urgent implementation of public health policies for early OSA screening and intervention in children is recommended to mitigate the OSA burden.
Abstract

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