Saudi Sleep Medicine Group and Philips Respironics host event in Dubai

1 in 3 men in KSA are at risk of Obstructive Sleep Apnea, according to statistics revealed at the 4th Gulf Sleep Medicine Meeting, which took place in Dubai.

The event was attended by more than 90 senior specialists from the Sleep Medicine Community in Middle East as well as representatives from Philips Respironics.

The meeting discussed issues around obstructive sleepapnea (OSA), including the latest clinical research on PAP Therapy, Diabetes Millitus, Stroke and also sleep disorders in children. Recent diagnostics tools were showcased along with a Berlin prevalence study in females and males in Saudi Arabia.

OSA is a disorder characterized by airway collapse behind the tongue during sleep, which obstructs breathing. It affects approximately 4 percent of the adult population. If OSA is untreated, it can contribute to the development of high blood pressure, diabetes, heart attacks, and strokes. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), it is estimated that approximately 100 million people worldwide suffer from the condition.

This study is the first to assess the prevalence of OSA in Saudi Arabia, looking at high-risk individuals such as middle aged Saudi males and women using the Berlin questionnaire and primary care settings.

The study was conducted at King Khalid University and King Fahd National Guard primary health care clinics in Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia between December 2005 and March 2006. The Berlin Questionnaire was administered by trained medical students to Saudi male patients in the age group 30-65 years attending the primary health care clinics.

578 middle-aged Saudi males were surveyed, with results showing that 52.3% had snoring problems. Breathing pauses more than once per week were recorded in 11.3%. This shows that in primary care setting, 1 in 3 middle aged males are at risk for OSA.

Deya Mudallal, Senior Regional Sales Manager HHS, MEA at Philips said: "This study gives us great insights and allows us to better tackle this condition. As a global leader in the management of sleep disorders, Philips Respironics has developed an extensive range of products and solutions, from diagnostics tools through patient-centered sleep therapy devices, to help enhance the quality of sleep and improve peoples' health."

"This event has also highlighted the need for ongoing research into this subject, and we hope to continue our work with SSMG to provide further statistics and insight on OSA in the coming years."

Prof. Ahemd BaHammam, Consultant of Pulmonary and Sleep Medicine and Director of Sleep Disorders Center at King Saud University in Riyadh,also commented: "Considering the high prevalence and the serious consequences of OSA, efforts are needed tobuild up and advance this specialty in the Middle East. It is very important for physicians in the primary healthcare sector to be fully educated and trained on the diagnosis and treatment of OSA to help improve the detection and make sure they are tackled and detected earlier. This will definitely help in preventing complications for patients."

Philips is a pioneer in science-based sleep solutions, which are a strategic element of the company's commitment to provide innovative solutions for the home. Through Philips Respironics, a global leader in the sleep and respiratory markets, Philips provides medical sleep products, especially for people suffering from OSA and those who seek to improve their quality of sleep. To educate people on the risks, diagnosis and treatment options for OSA, Philips will be launching an OSA educational program in the Middle Eastincludinga dedicated website featuring an interactive OSA risk assessment "Sleep Test."