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:
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:
WHEN:
Wednesday, August 6, 2008
1:30 – 2:30 PM EST
WHERE:
American Association of Diabetes Educators annual meeting – breakout session
Washington Convention Center
801 Mount Vernon Pl NW, Washington, DC
SPOKESPEOPLE: Virginia Zamudio-Lange is available to discuss the screening protocol in more detail. Virginia is a certified diabetes educator and a founding partner of the Alamo Diabetes Team, an entrepreneurial diabetes self-management training center in San Antonio, TX. Virginia actively serves as executive editor for AADE in Practice. She is co-medical editor for Diabetes Vital magazine, and is a member of the editorial advisory board for Endocrine Today and Better Homes and Gardens Diabetic Living.
A ResMed spokesperson is also available to talk about CPAP therapy and how treatment can help manage type 2 diabetes.