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]
An enterprising intern ditched her planned diabetes consultations to master pandemic communication skills.
The novel coronavirus (COVID-19) presented new challenges for Australians – among them community pharmacists.
During the initial hysteria, our shelves were stripped bare due to stockpiling of essential...
Todd Marion MPS, in Kiama, New South Wales, has been on the front line during the COVID-19 pandemic. He is also a specialist in sleep services.
Was pharmacy your goal?
Growing up, I thought I would do sport science. My career...
Andrew Matthews MPS is the Australian Digital Health Agency’s Director of Medicines Safety. In that role, he hopes to ensure pharmacists are fundamental to healthcare’s digital future.
Jocelyn Watson, a PSA life member, was awarded an Order of Australia medal in January for services to Launceston and contributions to her church, horticultural society and her industry.
Hannah Knowles MPS loves being involved in every stage of a patients’ journey, an interest suited to her new role at a leading Brisbane hospital pharmacy.
You couldn’t pay 99-year-old William ‘Bill’ Lumley MPS to be a pharmacist in the ‘new normal’ world today.
Australian Pharmacist of the Year 2017 Irvine Newton OAM FPS was inaugural chairman of PSA’s Harm Minimisation Committee in Victoria.
Distinguished Professor Gregory Peterson FPS has co-owned two pharmacies, been a hospital pharmacist and advised Sigma Pharmaceuticals. Now it’s teaching, research and other varied roles.
How did you come to lead state and national projects aimed at improving the use...
It’s imperative that every pharmacy have a disaster plan, a clear written procedure on what to do, to eliminate delays getting deliveries to affected areas.
After moving from Sweden 20 years ago, Tasmanian Pharmacist of the Year Fred Hellqvist MPS, owner of Dover Pharmacy, has become a leading voice for rural pharmacies across Australia.
What brought you to Dover, Tasmania, from Sweden?
As part of any...
