LHF Screening Program
The regional LHF health screening program assesses the risk of OSA by utilizing sleep specific risk stratification questionnaires and unattended, at home sleep studies. The Foundation has developed a partnership with two companies active in combating sleep disordered breathing. These companies are SleepTech
(Kinnelon, NJ) and Advanced Brain Monitoring (Carlsbad, Ca). They provide the simplified and relatively inexpensive sleep testing devices, as well as the training to instruct individuals on how to wear the equipment properly in the privacy of their own homes. A trained technician is available by phone 24/7 to answer questions from the home user concerning testing equipment fitting or proper application.
OSA National Faculty
A distinguished Faculty of sleep medicine experts provides guidance to the
LHF. This group includes Virend Somers, MD, Mayo Clinic, David
Rapoport, MD, New York University, Charles George, MD, Western Ontario University, Wayne
Halstrom, DDS, President , Canadian Dental Association, Elliott
Alpher, DDS, George Washington University Medical Center and David Gross, MD, National Rehabilitation Hospital.
Treatment Plan
Individuals with objective evidence for OSA are advised to take the LHF screening results to their physicians. If they do not have physicians, the LHF suggests physicians in their regions. The need for formal polysomnography (the national standard test) in a supervised setting is discussed immediately.
Current treatment favors the use of a nighttime sleep device that creates a condition of continuous positive pressure airway pressure
(CPAP). Studies have shown that CPAP is highly successful in treating
OSA. In some cases of mild OSA, dental devices that advance the mandible (jaw bone) relieve the signs and symptoms of
OSA, in a treatment form that has lacked a multitude of controlled studies, but may be better tolerated than CPAP over months or years of therapy. The LHF also intends to partner with OSA treatment equipment manufacturers to be able to offer the latest in technology to our members. Simultaneously, the control of CV risk factors is a critical component of
long term success in improving health outcomes.
Development of LHF Network for OSA
In 2006, the LHF Faculty and several of its hospital partners regionally, as well as interested non physician business individuals and companies, are creating a national network to simplify the diagnosis and streamline the treatment of OSA in NFL players. Simultaneously, a study based in the Washington, DC area is being finalized to test a new oral calibrating device that determines the optimal settings for subsequent placement of dental devices to alleviate problems associated with
OSA. There is a need for objective assessment of the role of various oral devices in the short and long term treatment of mild to moderate cases of
OSA.
This innovative approach to OSA will also include an emphasis on lifestyle changes that should lower the associated risk of
CVD. The importance of simultaneously addressing the metabolic syndrome components will also be a goal of therapy. The LHF will, as always, track the changes with therapy and document clinical outcomes over years of observation. The importance of providing accurate diagnosis and appropriate treatment, while tracking therapeutic outcomes, is of great importance.
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