Abstract
BackgroundPatients with symptoms of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) present to nearly all physicians irrespective of their specialties. A basic knowledge of OSA is considered essential to identify those patients for appropriate referral and treatment. This study aimed to assess the knowledge and attitude of Sharkia Governorate Critical Care physicians regarding OSA using a standard validated questionnaire.ResultsThis cross-sectional survey study was performed on a sample of Sharkia Governorate physicians, from all critical care units in tertiary and secondary hospitals including the following specialties: chest, internal medicine, neurology, cardiology, pediatric, and anesthesia. The OSA knowledge and attitudes (OSAKA) questionnaire that consists of 18 knowledge assessment questions and the OSA attitude questionnaire that consists of 6 attitude assessment questions were used. A total of 231, out of 296 invited physicians, completed the given questionnaire with a response rate of 78%. The mean score for knowledge assessment was 10.05 ± 2.3 with a 33.3% adequate response, while the mean score for attitude assessment was 3.75 ± 1.22 with a 59.3% adequate response. The mean OSA knowledge (12.5 ± 2.42) and attitude (5 ± 0.78) scores were highest among chest physicians when compared to physicians from other specialties (p < 0.001). A significant positive correlation between knowledge and attitude scores was found among Sharkia Governorate critical care physicians (r = 0.55, p < 0.001).ConclusionsThe level of knowledge of OSA among Sharkia Governorate critical care physicians was far from optimal whereas the attitude regarding OSA was acceptable.
Highlights
Patients with symptoms of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) present to most physicians irrespective of their specialties
Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is a clinical condition characterized by recurrent episodes of partial or complete obstruction of respiratory passages during sleep [1]
OSA is a highly prevalent disorder and its prevalence has increased throughout the world over the past 25 years [5] and still increasing overtime, parallel to the increase in obesity which is recognized as a major risk factor for OSA [6]
Summary
Patients with symptoms of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) present to most physicians irrespective of their specialties. Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is a clinical condition characterized by recurrent episodes of partial or complete obstruction of respiratory passages during sleep [1]. This may result in sleep fragmentation and non-restorative sleep. OSA is an important and emerging major health problem; its high disease burden is related to healthcare costs attributable to OSA alone and to its contribution as an independent risk factor for metabolic, cardiovascular, Embarak et al The Egyptian Journal of Bronchology (2020) 14:6 and psychiatric disorders such as diabetes, hypertension, stroke, and depression [1], which all are global health priorities. Recognition and effective treatment of this urgent clinical problem result in decreased healthcare utilization and improvement of patients outcomes [7]
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