Resmed study: OSA to increase, particularly among women
By HME News Staff
Updated 10:36 AM CDT, Wed August 27, 2025
SAN DIEGO - The prevalence of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is projected to increase nearly 35% by 2050, impacting 46% of all U.S. adults, according to a new study from Resmed recently published in The Lancet Respiratory Medicine.
Model
In this prospective modelling study, historical data on OSA prevalence in the U.S. were extracted from a previously published longitudinal cohort study. U.S. population characteristics (age and sex) were obtained from relevant and validated population data sources, and data on BMI were obtained from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey and the Wisconsin Sleep Cohort.
Findings
By 2050, the prevalence of obstructive sleep apnea (apnea–hypopnea index ≥5/h) is expected to show a relative increase of 34.7%, from 34.3%, resulting in 76.6 million cases. Females will see a larger relative increase than males, with a 65.4% relative increase in prevalence, from 22.8% to 37.7%, for a total of 30.4 million cases.
Males are projected to show a more moderate relative increase of 19.3%, from 45.6% to 54%, reaching 45.9 million cases.
Interpretation
These findings highlight the urgent need for targeted public health strategies and revised access to diagnosis and follow-up pathways to address the growing prevalence of obstructive sleep apnea, particularly among females.
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