Cardiodiabesity is a term that describes the relationship between type 2 diabetes, obesity, and cardiovascular disease – chronic conditions that are known to adversely impact health outcomes, quality of life, and cost of care. Researchers have identified sleep apnea as a common comorbidity among patients with cardiodiabesity – one that may further worsen outcomes for patients and increase the cost of care. People with sleep apnea experience upper airway blockage while they sleep, causing their breathing to stop and restart repeatedly.
To better understand the medical costs for cardiodiabesity patients with and without sleep apnea, the Evernorth Research Institute analyzed the claims data of 764,647 adults in the United States who were diagnosed in 2021 with a cardiovascular condition, type 2 diabetes, or obesity. The analysis also looks at the differences in sleep apnea diagnosis rates across various subpopulations to identify areas where there may be challenges in accessing care.
The study found that 13.3% of patients with cardiodiabesity also have a confirmed diagnosis or are receiving treatment for sleep apnea. When looking at the medical costs associated with this comorbidity, the analysis found that average medical costs were $6,185 higher among cardiodiabesity patients with sleep apnea than those without sleep apnea, an increase of 50%. This is particularly striking given the likelihood that as many as 80% of true sleep apnea patients are unaware of their diagnosis and are misclassified in this analysis.