Dana Tran1, Jeanne Wallace. 1. Pulmonary and Critical Care Division, University of California, Irvine Medical Center, Orange, CA, USA.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Despite its current recognition as a major health concern, little has been published about obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS) as a health problem in public healthcare systems where limited resources, language and cultural differences may present barriers to detection and treatment. OBJECTIVE: To describe patients referred for suspected OSAS in a large county-funded healthcare system. METHOD: A retrospective, descriptive observational study that included all patients referred for an OSAS evaluation between September 2000 and September 2002. RESULTS: Only 123 patients were referred and 115 completed an evaluation during the two-year period: 99% met OSAS diagnostic criteria, which was severe in 79% and frequently complicated by related comorbid conditions. CPAP acceptance was lower than in the previous series, especially among Hispanics. CONCLUSIONS: The findings suggest that referral for OSAS evaluation was limited to those most severely affected and raise the possibility of underdetection and undertreatment in the ublic sector.
BACKGROUND: Despite its current recognition as a major health concern, little has been published about obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS) as a health problem in public healthcare systems where limited resources, language and cultural differences may present barriers to detection and treatment. OBJECTIVE: To describe patients referred for suspected OSAS in a large county-funded healthcare system. METHOD: A retrospective, descriptive observational study that included all patients referred for an OSAS evaluation between September 2000 and September 2002. RESULTS: Only 123 patients were referred and 115 completed an evaluation during the two-year period: 99% met OSAS diagnostic criteria, which was severe in 79% and frequently complicated by related comorbid conditions. CPAP acceptance was lower than in the previous series, especially among Hispanics. CONCLUSIONS: The findings suggest that referral for OSAS evaluation was limited to those most severely affected and raise the possibility of underdetection and undertreatment in the ublic sector.
Authors: Sairam Parthasarathy; Mary A Carskadon; Girardin Jean-Louis; Judith Owens; Adam Bramoweth; Daniel Combs; Lauren Hale; Elizabeth Harrison; Chantelle N Hart; Brant P Hasler; Sarah M Honaker; Elisabeth Hertenstein; Samuel Kuna; Clete Kushida; Jessica C Levenson; Caitlin Murray; Allan I Pack; Vivek Pillai; Kristi Pruiksma; Azizi Seixas; Patrick Strollo; Saurabh S Thosar; Natasha Williams; Daniel Buysse Journal: Sleep Date: 2016-12-01 Impact factor: 5.849