FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

First Annual General Meeting of the Irish Sleep Apnoea Trust

The first annual general meeting of the Irish Sleep Apnoea Trust (ISAT) was held at St. Vincent's-University Hospital on Saturday 3rd March 2001.

Saturday 3rd March 2001

PRESS RELEASE

Venue: St. Vincent's University Hospital, Elm Park Dublin 4. Saturday March 3 2001 at 11.30am. 

The First annual meeting of the Irish Sleep Apnoea Trust (ISAT) was held at St. Vincent's-University Hospital on March 3rd 2001.

ISAT was established in May 2000 following an initial exploratory meeting of patients with obstructive sleep apnoea syndrome (OSAS) at St. Vincent's University Hospital.  The specific aims of the Trust are to support patients with OSAS and their families, to promote improved facilities for the investigation and management of this disorder, and to support medical research.  A steering committee has worked over the past 9 months to develop a detailed set of rules and regulations in addition to articles of association.  Limited company and charitable status are being sought.  
Almost 200 patients with OSAS had already signed up to attend prior to the meeting and delegates were asked to approve the rules and regulations and articles of association.  A formal committee structure was established for the Trust.  It is envisaged that, as interest grows, regional branches of ISAT will be established throughout the country. 

Background Information on Obstructive Sleep Apnoea Syndrome (OSAS)

This syndrome affects between 2 - 4% of the adult population in Europe, and predisposes to cardiovascular complications, particularly hypertension. European prevalence figures indicate that there are likely to be somewhere between thirty to fifty thousand patients with at least some degree of the condition in this country.  The condition is associated with repetitive obstruction of the upper airway during sleep, which impairs sleep quality, and consequently makes the patient tired and sleepy during the daytime.  This sleepiness represents a serious risk factor for road traffic accidents and patients with sleep apnoea are up to 11 times more likely to have a traffic accident than the general public.  Indeed, several European Union countries, including France, Belgium, Spain and Germany specifically preclude patients with a significant sleep apnoea syndrome from holding a driving licence until the condition is satisfactorily treated, usually with a nasal mask attached to a positive pressure pump (CPAP) which the patient wears at night. 

The Respiratory Sleep Disorders Unit at St. Vincent's University Hospital was established in 1985 and provides a national referral service for the investigation and treatment of patients with OSAS.  Treatment with nasal CPAP is highly effective and can transform the lives of affected patients.

For More Information Contact:

Irish Sleep Apnoea Trust / Iontaobhas Apnoea Codlata na hÉireann
PO Box 8440
Dublin 24
Ireland
Tel: Tel National (086) 605 3891 - Tel. International + 353 (86) 605 3891
FAX: Pending

Internet: http://www.isat.ie

E-mail: