Social and Economic Impacts of Managing Sleep Hypoventilation Syndromes

Hypoventilation during sleep is often an early indicator of the development of respiratory failure. Alterations in ventilation are more pronounced during sleep and often present before the onset of daytime symptoms. This article discusses the most common sleep-related hypoventilatory disorders and recommended treatment approaches for obesity hypoventilation, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and neuromuscular disorders. Accurate diagnosis and appropriate treatment is of paramount importance because of the impact on individual health outcomes and overall cost of health care delivery. Appropriate treatment is successful at reducing hospitalizations and health care costs as well as improving quality of life and individual economic burden.