94 percent of doctors surveyed are aware of relationship between type 2 diabetes and sleep apnea

WHAT: Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is a debilitating and often life-threatening condition that affects 18 million people in the U.S. At least 30 percent of people who suffer from OSA also have type 2 diabetes (T2D). Although the majority of doctors and diabetes educators are aware of the close connection between OSA and type 2 diabetes, little has been done in clinical practice to take the steps needed to diagnose and treat sleep apnea in this patient population. In response to this need, diabetes clinical educator, Virginia Zamudio-Lange, RN, MSN, CDE, will be presenting "While You Were Sleeping: Implementing a Sleep Apnea Screening Protocol" at this year's American Association of Diabetes Educators (AADE) annual meeting to demonstrate how doctors and diabetes educators can translate theory into action.

WHY:

A growing empirical support for screening includes:

• A recent survey of doctors at the American Diabetes Association (ADA) meeting found that although 94 percent of doctors recognize a relationship between OSA and type 2 diabetes, 47 percent still do not routinely screen type 2 diabetes patients for OSA. Historical survey data also show this trend has not shifted over the past year.

The International Diabetes Federation issued a June 2008 consensus statement calling for doctors and diabetes educators to begin taking the steps needed to diagnose and treat sleep apnea in people with diabetes, recognizing the fact that treating OSA can help manage type 2 diabetes. The call to action stated that it is imperative for healthcare professionals to:

1. Generate awareness about the connection between OSA and T2D,
2. Conduct research to better understand the links between the two conditions, and
3. Develop new clinical practices that address treatment.

Source: Edelman Public Relations