Over 30% of Indian adults may suffer from obstructive sleep apnoea, yet most cases remain undiagnosed due to misattributed symptoms and limited screening, according to a 2025 study at AIIMS Bhopal.
Obstructive sleep apnoea, a condition where the airway collapses during sleep, affects an estimated 20-30% of Indian adults, yet most cases go undiagnosed. A 2025 study at AIIMS Bhopal, which tested 958 adults, found moderate-to-severe apnoea in nearly 30% of participants, highlighting a significant public health challenge. Despite its prevalence, the disorder often masquerades as ordinary fatigue, with patients attributing symptoms to aging or work stress rather than seeking medical evaluation.
The Hidden Crisis in Sleep
Dr Akshay Budhraja of Aakash Healthcare notes that many patients delay seeking help until their partners report breathing pauses or loud snoring. They try adjusting sleep habits, cutting caffeine, buying a new mattress — everything except getting tested,
he says. This pattern is common, with patients often presenting for unrelated issues like uncontrolled diabetes or hypertension, only for sleep apnoea to be discovered during routine evaluations.
The condition’s complexity lies in its varied causes.
Diagnosis and Treatment Challenges
Diagnosing sleep apnoea requires overnight sleep studies, but access to such tests remains limited in India. Studies that rely on questionnaires rather than comprehensive testing often underestimate the condition’s prevalence. The AIIMS Bhopal study, which used full polysomnography, found higher rates of apnoea compared to earlier surveys, underscoring the importance of accurate diagnostic methods. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has also been alerting people who use Philips Respironics ventilators, BiPAP, and CPAP machines and their health care providers that Philips Respironics has recalled certain devices due to potential health risks, according to fda.gov.
Continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) machines are the standard treatment, but adherence is low. Common reasons for discontinuation include mask discomfort, dryness, and claustrophobia, with the first few weeks critical in determining long-term use. Alternative treatments, such as oral appliances or surgery, are reserved for specific cases, often after detailed evaluations like drug-induced sleep endoscopy, which Dr Rajesh Bhardwaj, MedFirst ENT Centre, uses to identify precise airway collapse points. Eric Mann, M.D., Ph.D. at the FDA’s Center for Devices and Radiological Health says, Many FDA-approved and FDA-cleared devices can help people with OSA wake up in the mornings feeling rested and refreshed, improving their overall health.
The Broader Health Implications
Untreated sleep apnoea has far-reaching consequences. Gupta emphasizes that addressing the disorder often improves coexisting conditions. Once we treat the sleep disorder, those other conditions frequently improve too,
he says. This is particularly relevant for patients with hypertension, diabetes, or cardiovascular disease, where apnoea can exacerbate symptoms and complicate management.
With over 30% of adults potentially affected, the need for increased awareness and accessible diagnostic tools is urgent. Public health initiatives focusing on education and early screening could reduce the burden of undiagnosed apnoea. For patients, recognizing symptoms like excessive daytime sleepiness, loud snoring, or frequent nighttime awakenings is the first step toward seeking treatment. As research continues to uncover the condition’s complexities, experts stress that timely intervention remains critical to preventing long-term health complications.