Changes in Prescription Patterns and Diagnostic Outcomes of Polysomnography After Insurance Coverage: A Multicenter Retrospective Study.

ABSTRACT:

Background and objectives

In June 2018, South Korea expanded insurance coverage for polysomnography (PSG) to improve diagnostic access for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). This study investigated the impact of this policy by analyzing changes in PSG utilization and diagnostic outcomes.

Methods

A multicenter retrospective study was conducted using data from 17 tertiary hospitals across South Korea. Patients aged ≥20 years who visited the hospitals for suspected OSA between 2015 and 2023 were included. The pre-coverage period was defined as 2015-2017, and the post-coverage period as 2019-2023. Demographics, PSG implementation rates, and apnea-hypopnea index (AHI) distributions were compared.

Results

A total of 29,055 patients were included (7,800 pre-coverage; 21,255 post

SUBMITTER: Park DY 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12689090 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Nov

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature