One telling comment he made after mentioning that the
algorithms for the different APAPs differ from one another and that they change
from one generation of the device to the next without the manufacturer’s
announcing the change. The technology has gotten ahead of the science, he said.
I had heard this comment at another conference a number of years ago – it was
troubling then and it remains troubling
now.
The second talk of the day, perhaps my favorite of the
congress, was delivered by Dr. Meir Kryger of Yale. His talk was titled “Faces
of Sleep Apnea.” Kryger has, by his count, treated 12,000 patients since 1972
when he started in the field of sleep medicine. His presentation consisted of pictures
of sleep apnea patients he has treated over the years. Some of the faces were
familiar typology for the OSA patients and some were not. Each image had a
story and it was clear that he cared about each one. His talk reminded those
present that the physical examination and the patient history are critical to
getting to a diagnosis.
The congress ended without a clear statement on where the
event would next be held. Pressure from the sponsors of these events to
consolidate the number of sleep medicine conferences leaves the date of the
next World Congress on Sleep Apnea open. Perhaps it is fitting that the last
scheduled congress was held in the Eternal City, the place I call my spiritual
home.
Arrivederci!
4 comments:
I find the comment by Dr. Josep Maria Montserrat – that “The technology has gotten ahead of the science” to be true and very troubling. His mention that “the algorithms for the different APAPs differ from one another and that they change from one generation of the device to the next without the manufacturer’s announcing the change” confirms my suspicion that changes to PAPs are being done without good confirmation and proper research that the changes do benefit health.
I have come to believe that some of these changes are shooting the feet right off of the manufacturers who produce them. For example, I believe that the “clear airway sensing” pulses contribute to unstable breathing – which – if true – could make them a factor contributing to sleep fragmentation and vascular problems! This is not a light issue.
We need to get this out of the dark recesses of corporate secrets and into the light of public science, for all of our sakes. We need to do this now.
As the world gets fatter with easy access to fast food and processed garbage, I'm sure the faces of this disorder will continue to change.
Thanks for sharing this post ....
Autopap | Bi-pap
It is good that there are events like this to check and inform public regarding sleep apnea.
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