There will be no slumbering for sleep apnea treatment devices in the marketplace, according to Kalorama Information. Of all respiratory treatments, the fastest growing market segment through 2018 will be devices used for the treatment of sleep apnea. This is according to the healthcare market research firm’s recent report, The Worldwide Market for Respiratory Devices.

According to the report, respiratory health in populations worldwide has been challenged by numerous factors including worsening air quality, substandard living conditions, other allergenic risk factors, and even economic development. Asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) have been significant factors fueling contemporary market growth.

The prevalence of sleep apnea is not surprising given its risk factors including age, body weight, diabetes, and smoking. Among US men aged 30 to 60 years old, the prevalence of sleep apnea is estimated at 9-24%, but only 4-9% for US women in the same age group. Sleep apnea prevalence in diabetics is estimated at almost 50%, 77% for obese individuals, and 87% among obese individuals with type 2 diabetes. In addition to the over 20 million North American individuals believed to suffer from sleep apnea, there may be 30 million individuals in Europe and 220 million in Asia-Pacific with the condition.

The majority of the sleep apnea device market is served by CPAP systems. In The Worldwide Market for Respiratory Devices, Kalorama Information provides extensive market segmentation for respiratory devices including inhalers, nebulizers, airways, masks, sleep apnea devices, oxygen therapy systems, ventilators, medical humidifiers, and respiratory measurement devices. The report also provides device-specific market segmentation by industry player market share, major geographical area, and leading country markets.