盡管患者和醫(yī)生對呼吸暫停認(rèn)識普遍不足，歐洲用于睡眠暫停診斷市場在2004年據(jù)估計增加了12％，達(dá)到了5千萬美元。根據(jù)國際市場營銷咨詢公司Frost&Sullivan(Palo Alto, CA, USA)的一項最新報道，公眾和醫(yī)務(wù)人員對此疾病認(rèn)識提高，在2011年醫(yī)療賠償和投資增加所獲得的稅收將達(dá)到9千8百萬美元。

人口老齡化以及肥胖病例增多也使得患病人群增加，睡眠診所的數(shù)量也不斷增多。另外一個促使市場擴(kuò)大動力來自心血管科，他們對睡眠暫停與心血管疾病例如充血性心衰之間聯(lián)系的認(rèn)識正在逐步增加。同時，固定睡眠描計(PSG)設(shè)備也正在研究之中，比如能夠在家中使用的基于動態(tài)心電圖監(jiān)測儀的移動性和便攜式PSGs。自動設(shè)置的機(jī)器和改善的用戶界面提高了患者舒適程度，同時也改善了患者依從性。

Fiona Rahman是Frost&Sullivan的研究分析人員，他說：“市場總體增加的絕大部分來自固定PSG部門，因為這種設(shè)備預(yù)期將廣泛用于睡眠暫停診斷市場。但是，進(jìn)一步的高速增長預(yù)期來自便攜式和移動PSGs，因為這正在成為診斷的首選設(shè)備，能夠在家中使用并與心血管診斷相整合。”
 
 
European Market for Sleep Apnea Diagnostics
 
In spite of low awareness among patients and doctors about sleep apnea, the total European market for sleep apnea diagnostics grew at an estimated 12% to reach U.S. $50 million in 2004. Rising public and physician awareness and increases in reimbursement and funding are set to push revenues to $98 million in 2011, according to a new report from Frost & Sullivan (Palo Alto, CA, USA), international marketing consultants.

An aging population and increasing obesity cases are boosting the patient population, and the number of sleep clinics is expanding. Another driver to market expansion is the cardiology sector, which is beginning to recognize the importance of sleep apnea and its links with cardiac diseases such as congestive heart failure. Meanwhile, alternatives to fixed polysomnography (PSG) are being investigated, such as ambulatory and portable PSGs based on electrocardiogram (ECG) Holter monitors that can be used at home. Auto-setting machines and improved interfaces that promote patient comfort are also poised to improve compliance.

“The majority of total market growth is expected to be in the fixed PSG segment since this is expected to continue to be the most widely used sleep apnea diagnostic device,” said Fiona Rahman, a research analyst with Frost & Sullivan. “However, further high growth is expected to be found in portable and ambulatory PSGs, as they are becoming preferred choices of diagnostics, as they can be used at home and integrated with cardiac disease diagnostics.”