In younger patients, leaving sleep apnoea untreated may lead to hypertension and an increased risk of cardiovascular disease and stroke
In younger patients, leaving sleep apnoea untreated may lead to hypertension and an increased risk of cardiovascular disease and stroke.
There are also daily risks to patients, according to Associate Professor Jeremy Goldin, head of sleep medicine at the Royal Melbourne Hospital. Being overly tired when driving is one of the most common.
At the end of 2018, the sleep study rebates changed to improve the diagnosis of sleep conditions and improve the management of conditions for patients.
GPs are able to send patients for sleep studies, but first have to fill out a validated questionnaire such as the Epworth sleepiness scale. If a patient scores eight or more on this scale, and if they are considered high risk on the STOP-bang scale, they can be directly referred to a sleep study.
If they don’t meet those scores, they have to be referred first to a sleep physician before undergoing a sleep study if it is considered necessary.
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