The Global Socioeconomic Burden of Obstructive Sleep Apnea: A Comprehensive Review

Relevance: Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is a major public health problem with significant social and economic consequences. With increasing prevalence associated with urbanization and aging, untreated OSA is a considerable burden to the healthcare system, work productivity, and accident costs. Objectives: To analyze the global socioeconomic burden of OSA and evaluate epidemiological, economic, and healthcare policy perspectives across different regions and income levels. Materials and Methods: We conducted a narrative comprehensive review of published studies and WHO reports, covering direct medical costs, indirect social costs, and the cost-effectiveness of both existing and emerging diagnostic and therapeutic techniques. Results: OSA is estimated to afflict some 936 million adults around the world, and if it remains untreated, OSA results in 2.5 times higher healthcare costs compared to non-OSA individuals. The annual societal cost of untreated OSA in the U.S. now exceeds USD 150 billion, when considering direct medical expenses, productivity losses, and accident-related costs. Recent studies also highlight significant global costs, with annual per-patient estimates up to EUR 28,000 in the U.S. and EUR 1700–5000 in Europe. The inequality of treatment access continues between the affluent and the poor regions. Novel approaches as AI diagnostics and telemedicine, hold promise for reducing costs and improving treatment adherence among underserved populations with limited access to conventional care. Discussion: This review underscores the importance of uniform care throughout the world, timely diagnosis initiatives using portable technology, and scalable technological solutions to help reduce the social toll of OSA. Policymaker support, public education campaigns, and insurance changes are necessary to optimize both the cost and effectiveness of OSA management worldwide.