Sleep Disordered Breathing

Sleep disordered breathing is characterized by abnormalities in breathing pattern during sleep. By far the most common sleep-related breathing disorder is obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) which is characterized by repetitive upper airway collapse leading to episodic asphyxia, arousals, and nocturnal hypoxemia. It typically presents with symptoms of snoring, witnessed apneas, and daytime sleepiness. Worldwide, there are an estimated 425 million people with moderate to severe OSA (>900 000 in Canada). This is a major global health concern as untreated OSA has multiple impacts including an increased risk of: motor vehicle crashes, occupational injuries, hypertension, cardiovascular disease, and dementia.

Research

The Sleep Disordered Breathing Research Program is a well-established productive group of investigators with an impressive track record of research productivity. Clinical and research activities are predominately done at UBC Hospital and Campus, and spans from translational studies using animal models of intermittent hypoxia, omics studies of sleep apnea (genetics, epigenetics, proteomics), epidemiologic studies, dental appliances, precision medicine, clinical trials, and health services/economic studies.

Care

The Leon Judah Blackmore Centre for Sleep Disorders is housed at the UBC Hospital Campus (Purdy Pavilion). The program was established in 1981, and includes a multidisciplinary group of physicians including respirologists, psychiatrists, and a neurologist. We see a broad range of sleep disorders including: sleep disordered breathing, insomnia, narcolepsy, parasomnias, and restless legs syndrome. The centre brings all aspects of sleep health under one roof to enhance patient care. The Centre has access to state of the art diagnostic technologies including full attended (Level 1) sleep studies, multiple sleep latency testing (MSLT), and home sleep apnea testing.

Research

The Sleep Disordered Breathing Research Program is a well-established productive group of investigators with an impressive track record of research productivity. Clinical and research activities are predominately done at UBC Hospital and Campus, and spans from translational studies using animal models of intermittent hypoxia, omics studies of sleep apnea (genetics, epigenetics, proteomics), epidemiologic studies, dental appliances, precision medicine, clinical trials, and health services/economic studies.

Care

The Leon Judah Blackmore Centre for Sleep Disorders is housed at the UBC Hospital Campus (Purdy Pavilion). The program was established in 1981, and includes a multidisciplinary group of physicians including respirologists, psychiatrists, and a neurologist. We see a broad range of sleep disorders including: sleep disordered breathing, insomnia, narcolepsy, parasomnias, and restless legs syndrome. The centre brings all aspects of sleep health under one roof to enhance patient care. The Centre has access to state of the art diagnostic technologies including full attended (Level 1) sleep studies, multiple sleep latency testing (MSLT), and home sleep apnea testing.

People