Strategic Analysis of the European Sleep Apnea Diagnostics Market

The European sleep apnea diagnostics market has traditionally been restrained by low acceptance and patient awareness levels as well as limited reimbursement and funding. However, increased awareness in the cardiology sector that sleep apnea is closely linked with cardiac diseases is expected to give a boost to the market, since concomitant treatment can be applied to both conditions. This is leading companies to develop alternatives to fixed polysomnography (PSG) - such as ambulatory and portable PSGs - that can be used at home and are based on ECG Holters. These devices enable patients to diagnose sleep apnea and heart conditions simultaneously, since they are related. They are also developing technologically advanced products aimed at enhancing patient comfort and compliance, and consequently, acceptance

This Frost & Sullivan research service, Strategic Analysis of the European Sleep Apnea Diagnostics Market, assesses the potential of the total market in Europe and provides strategic recommendations to capitalise on major business opportunities. It examines the competitive structure of the market as well as important and emerging technologies introduced by key market participants.

Despite Challenges, Opportunities for Growth Exist

With the number of diagnosed patients rapidly growing, the future of the sleep apnea diagnostics market looks promising. Awareness among patients as well as physicians is also rising, while cardiac diseases such as congestive heart failure (CHF) that are related to sleep apnea present emerging opportunities for sleep apnea diagnostics companies.

The majority of the total market growth is expected to be in the fixed PSG segment, since this is likely to continue to be the most widely used sleep apnea diagnostic device. "However, further high growth is expected in portable and ambulatory PSGs," notes the analyst of this research service. "These devices are fast becoming the preferred choice for diagnosis since they can be used at home and can be integrated with cardiac disease diagnostics." Companies must capitalise on this trend by communicating the benefits of new diagnostics and developing cost-effective methods of bringing such novel offerings to the market.

Market Set to Continue Expanding

"Frost & Sullivan anticipates that the total European sleep apnea diagnostics market will increase from approximately $50 million in 2004 to $92 million in 2011," says the analyst. "The market exhibited an estimated growth rate of 12 per cent in 2004, which is expected to increase in the next five to six years in conjunction with the introduction of alternative solutions."

One of the primary factors contributing to this growth is the slowly growing awareness among patients and physicians that is expected to sustain diagnostic testing volumes. Apart from this, encouraging entrepreneurial trends in healthcare leading to an increased number of testing facilities and a large undiagnosed population ensure the future market growth of sleep apnea diagnostics.