Overview of sleep disordered breathing management in 12 latin american sleep centers

Objectives: Sleep Disordered Breathing (SDB) still remains unrecognized by the medical community, health-care providers and patients despite its high prevalence and association with other major health conditions. The aim of this study was to describe data about the SDB management, collected from 12 different Latin American sleep centers. Methods: Thirteen physicians from these sleep centers completed an electronic survey about SDB recognition, number of Sleep Physicians and Sleep Centers, as well as Sleep Medicine training in their respective countries. Results: Seventy-seven percent of the participants responded that Sleep Medicine is not recognized as a medical specialty in their country but despite that, 69% reported that there is specific and official training in Sleep Medicine and for Sleep Lab technicians in their countries. Sleep labs are officially registered only in Brazil and Colombia and only in Brazil sleep labs are certified by a scientific society. The 12 sleep centers studied summed up more than 45.500 sleep studies performed every year with an average of 60-80% positive studies for SDB. Most of the sleep centers (85%) perform Home Sleep Testing and use unattended Auto CPAP for home titrations. Eighty-five of the sleep centers have a CPAP clinic to support their patients with the PAP therapy set up. Conclusion: Sleep Medicine is still not recognized as a medical specialty in most of Latin America and all participants agree that education should be number one priority to grow SDB awareness in Latin America.