Negar Almassi MPS[/caption]
Dr Brian Chia MPS[/caption]
COPD is significantly underdiagnosed
Associate Professor Debbie Rigby FPS[/caption]
Nicolette Ellis MPS[/caption]
A national education program for pharmacists funded by the Australian Government under the Quality Use of Diagnostics, Therapeutics and Pathology program.[/caption]
Both these disorders can occur separately, but if they co-occur, this is termed COMISA. Approximately 30–50% of people with OSA have comorbid insomnia, and 30–40% of people with chronic insomnia have comorbid OSA.9,12 A recent population-based study reported that 11% of Australian adults report symptoms of COMISA.13
The ‘gold standard’ measure of OSA presence and severity is an overnight sleep study (Table 1).25 The most common single metric to determine OSA presence and severity is the apnoea-hypopnoea index (AHI), representing the average number of airway narrowing and closure events occurring per hour of sleep.24 Identifying the most appropriate management approaches for OSA also requires consideration of lifestyle factors, symptoms and consequences, occupation, chronic conditions, and other sleep conditions. Self-report questionnaires may be used to screen for a high-risk of OSA and identify patients suitable for referral and consideration of overnight sleep study assessment (Table 1).24
Although evidence-based guidelines unanimously recommend avoiding long-term use of hypnotics, they are indicated for a minority of patients that present with severe acute insomnia that is causing significant psychological distress or functional impairment.29 Most people who experience short-term insomnia symptoms (1–2 weeks) can be reassured that sleep will return to ‘normal’ after the underlying precipitant has subsided, without targeted treatment (i.e. hypnotic medicines).29,33 For those who experience persistent insomnia, cognitive behavioural therapy for insomnia (CBTi) is the first-line treatment. Pharmacotherapy may be considered in patients with severe insomnia that is causing significant impairment or distress (e.g. times of acute work/exam stress, bereavement).34
Tailored recommendations for non-CPAP therapies may also be provided to patients with different levels of OSA severity and presenting features.17 For example, weight management advice where indicated, positional devices (in the presence of supine-predominant OSA), mandibular advancement splints (in patients with mild-to-moderate OSA), and upper airway surgery are effective treatments that may be tailored to each individual patient.24
Dr Alexander Sweetman (he/him) PhD
Senior Program Manager, and chair of the psychologist education subcommittee at the Australasian Sleep Association.
Associate Professor Sutapa Mukherjee (she/her) MBBS, FRACP, PhD
Respiratory and sleep physician, Associate Professor of Respiratory and Sleep Medicine at Flinders University and past President of the Australasian Sleep Association.
Professor Garun Hamilton (he/him) MBBS, FRACP, PhD
Respiratory and sleep physician, clinical professor at Monash Health and Monash University and President of the Australasian Sleep Association.
Professor John Turnidge AO[/caption]
Following distressing reports of inappropriate medicine use in aged care homes, PSA National President Dr Shane Jackson has welcomed a royal commission into the aged care sector.
Announced earlier this week following revelations of poor treatment of older people in...
Geraldine Moses FPS wears many hats. She’s a hospital-based drug information consultant and clinical pharmacist, and provider of the Australian Dental Association’s (ADA) national drug information advisory service, Pharma-Advice.
Dr Moses is also an adjunct associate professor at the University...
PSA has called for transformational change in the pharmacy profession within five years. So what could that future state look like?
‘By 2023, pharmacists within the health system will be more highly valued and their role optimised. They will be...
Responsibility for providing the highest level of patient care and safety as possible rests with no single healthcare provider. The best results will always come from collaboration.
In August, I hosted a summit with representatives of medical and pharmacy organisations,...
New legislation passed on Monday night introduces mandatory reporting of shortages of all prescription medicines as well as other medicines deemed vital for public health.
A medicine will be deemed to be in shortage if there is not enough, or...
Thalidomide’s period of use may have been short but its ramifications have lasted decades, both for people who suffer deformities from its effects and how we now regulate medicines.
Like many ‘wonder drugs’ of the 20th century, thalidomide was first...
Australian pharmacy professionals have received top honours at the 78th FIP World Congress of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences in Glasgow, while PSA has been named co-host for the FIP Congress in 2021.
PSA members Tina Brock MPS and John Bell...
Realising the full potential of pharmacists requires a reimagining of how the profession fits into the wider healthcare model, and PSA wants to harness the imagination of its members in this vision.
Overwhelming feedback from our members and the wider...
How can I improve workflow in my community pharmacy?
In improving workflow within your community pharmacy, it is essential that you get our pharmacy team involved from the beginning, as more often than not, any changes you make to the...
I own a remote community pharmacy in WA. Is there a need for my pharmacy to have a digital or online presence?
In the 20th century, the front door for patients to visit you was limited to the physical pharmacy...
