Sleep apnea syndrome in France: a common and underdiagnosed condition

Objectives. To estimate the prevalence of symptoms suggestive of sleep apnea-hypopnea syndrome (SAHOS) and the extent of underdiagnosis of SAHOS among adults in France. To estimate changes in the number of people treated for SAHOS in France between 2006 and 2011. Methods. Data from two self-reported surveys—the 2008 Health and Social Protection Survey (ESPS) in the general population and the 2007 Entred survey (a representative national sample of people with diabetes) among people with diabetes—were used. OSA-related sleep disorders were defined as frequent snoring associated with excessive daytime sleepiness or apneas observed by caregivers. The crude annual rates and age-standardized rates of individuals treated with continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) were calculated from 2006 to 2011 using data from the General Practitioner Sample of Health Insurance Beneficiaries (EGB). Results. In the general population, 4.9% of individuals reported having OSA-related symptoms and 2.4% had a diagnosed OSA. Among those with OSA-related symptoms, 15% had previously undergone a sleep study. Among people with type 2 diabetes, the prevalence of OSA-related symptoms was 16%, and 28% of symptomatic individuals had previously undergone a sleep study. The annual standardized rate of people treated with CPAP increased between 2006 and 2011 (+15% per year). In 2011, 0.9% of adults covered by the general health insurance system were treated with CPAP. (R.A.)

Author(s): Fuhrman C, Nguyen XL, Fleury B, Boussac Zarebska M, Druet C, Delmas MC

Publishing year: 2012

Pages: 510-4

Weekly Epidemiological Bulletin, 2012, n° 44-45, p. 510-4

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