Sleep-Disordered Breathing in Hospitalized Patients: A Game Changer?

Abstract

Sleep disorders, including sleep apnea, have become a significant health issue in the United States. It is estimated that 22 million Americans have sleep apnea, with 80% of cases of moderate and severe OSA going undiagnosed. This number continues to increase with the obesity epidemic. Sleep-disordered breathing (SDB) is associated with multiple cardiopulmonary diseases and has been shown to affect disease outcomes adversely. Hospitalized patients have a disproportionately high prevalence of cardiovascular and respiratory diseases. Screening for SDB in hospitalized patients provides an opportunity to identify the disease in individuals whose disease otherwise may go unrecognized. Data suggest that identification of SDB in hospitalized individuals may have a positive impact on a patient's course after hospitalization. Unfortunately, sleep medicine currently remains an ambulatory practice. Hospital sleep medicine addresses this separation. Herein, we discuss our experience and the future potential of hospital sleep medicine programs.