Trends in the Number of Obstructive Sleep Apnea Patients, Polysomnography Prescriptions, and Soft Palate Surgery After Insurance Coverage on Polysomnography and Positive Airway Pressure

Abstract

Background and Objectives Since polysomnography and positive airway pressure were covered by insurance in 2018, there have been many changes in the number of patients diagnosed with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), prescriptions issued for polysomnography, soft palate surgery performed and medical cost. However, there has been no clear analysis regarding such changes.Subjects and Method Data on the number of patients, medical cost, polysomnography prescriptions, and soft palate surgery performed from 2010 to 2022 were extracted from the Healthcare Bigdata Hub and analyzed for trends. In addition, the type of medical institutions, gender and age of patients were also analyzed.Results From 2010 to 2017, the number of patients with OSA increased moderately, but in 2019, it surged to 64970. Prior to 2018, more patients received treatment from general hospitals than at private clinics, but after 2018, more patients received treatment from private clinics rather than from general hospitals. Male patients were about four times more likely than female patients to receive treatment. Male patients were mostly aged 30-59 years, whereas female patients were more than 50 years old. In 2019, 64970 patients underwent polysomnography. Soft palate surgery was most frequently performed in 2014, and the number of surgeries decreased after that until 2018 when it increased again. The total medical cost of patients with OSA was 8.6 billion won in 2017, but it soared to 20.2 billion won in 2018 and 55 billion won in 2019.Conclusion After insurance coverage was introduced for polysomnography and positive airway pressure in 2018, the number of patients with OSA and polysomnography, and medical cost have increased rapidly. Also, the center of treatment for OSA is shifting from general hospitals to private clinics.