Poor sleep quality not only leads to feeling unwell the next day, but also increases the risk of developing dementia and chronic diseases in the future. Among the diseases that severely affect sleep quality, the most common is "sleep apnea," which is difficult to diagnose. National Taiwan University Hospital announced today (4th) at a press conference the introduction of "3D upper airway ultrasound examination" for the diagnosis of obstructive sleep apnea. This screening and risk assessment can be completed in just 10 to 15 minutes.
Among the many sleep disorders, sleep apnea (SAS) is most frequently mentioned, yet it is also the disease that people find most difficult to self-diagnose. Patients often snore during sleep, leading family members to take them to the hospital for examination. However, not all patients exhibit obvious snoring. If a family member is observed struggling to breathe during sleep, making a great effort to breathe, and then suddenly takes a deep breath without waking up, increased vigilance is warranted.
Qiu Han-mo, director of the National Taiwan University Hospital Health Management Center, pointed out that one in five Americans suffers from sleep apnea, and the prevalence is even higher among men, with one in four affected. In terms of severity, one in 15 Americans is a severe patient, and up to 75% of severe sleep apnea patients have not been diagnosed, indicating a low diagnosis rate.
While sleep apnea may seem to only affect sleep quality, Qiu Han-mo noted that associated disease risks include cardiovascular disease, stroke, diabetes, and dementia. It can also lead to suffocation and even cardiac arrest. The mortality rate for patients with severe sleep apnea can be as high as 2.6 times that of normal individuals, and habitual snorers have a 1.5 times higher risk of high blood pressure than normal individuals.
In addition to the difficulty of self-awareness, the current diagnostic process for sleep apnea is somewhat complex, which is also a major reason for the low diagnosis rate. Zeng Ping-hui, an attending physician at the Department of Internal Medicine and Health Management Center at National Taiwan University Hospital, explained that traditional examinations, such as "overnight polysomnography," have low accessibility. People need to spend a night in the hospital's sleep center, connected to numerous wires, which not only affects sleep but also raises concerns about the stability of the examination signals. Patients also need to wait a period of time to schedule the examination.
Zeng Ping-hui stated that the NTU team is now applying "3D upper airway ultrasound examination" for sleep apnea diagnosis. This non-invasive 3D ultrasound imaging technique observes the dynamic changes of the upper airway. During the examination, medical personnel use a probe to scan the throat, and patients are asked to follow instructions for normal breathing and Müller's maneuver. The screening and risk assessment for sleep apnea can be completed within approximately 10 to 15 minutes.