Riyadh, September 30, 2023, The field of sleep medicine, dedicated to addressing sleep-related issues and their impact on physical and mental health, has emerged as a prominent modern medical specialty. Researchers have identified more than 87 distinct sleep disorders, each necessitating its own diagnostic and therapeutic approaches.
Recognizing the vital role of this biological process, the College of Medicine and the University Medical City at King Saud University established the University Sleep Disorders Center in 2002. It marked a pioneering initiative in the Kingdom, aimed at closing the scientific gap in the realm of sleep disorders.
What sets this center apart is its remarkable ability to diagnose rare sleep disorders, having contributed over 8,500 studies presented at international conferences and published in peer-reviewed scientific journals. Consequently, the center has garnered attention from specialized organizations worldwide, seeking collaboration.
The center employs a range of diagnostic techniques, including polysomnography (PSG) to monitor brain activity, breathing, and cardiac, leg, abdominal, and chest movements during sleep. Video technology is used to observe abnormal movements, and blood oxygen and carbon dioxide levels are monitored. Technicians employ comprehensive or partial PSG devices to track sleep patterns.
The center's patient base spans all age groups, from newborns to adults, drawn from across the Kingdom. It caters to individuals grappling with various sleep-related issues such as sleep apnea, central hypersomnia disorders, rapid eye movement sleep behavior disorder, insomnia, circadian disorders, restless legs syndrome, periodic limb movement disorder, nocturnal epilepsy, and more.
Collaboration with specialists in dentistry, cardiology, pulmonology, neurology, otolaryngology, and psychology is common, as these fields can intersect with sleep disorders. Continuous monitoring of patients' cardiac and cerebral conditions guides treatment decisions.
The center's approach hinges on scientific research for diagnosis and treatment. Dr. Ahmed Bahamam, the Center Director, emphasizes the significance of research in disease management. The center has published over 400 peer-reviewed papers, contributed chapters to specialized books, authored four scientific reference books, with three more slated for publication in 2024. Its members have received numerous accolades for their contributions.
In addition, the center has presented over 130 research papers at conferences worldwide. It established the first specialized fellowship program in sleep medicine in Asia in 2009. This initiative has trained over 80 psychiatrists, nearly 100 adult and pediatric pulmonologists in the Saudi Board, and 55 technicians from hospitals in Saudi Arabia and the Arab Gulf countries.
To raise awareness and educate the public about sleep disorders, the center created the first educational electronic encyclopedia, available in Arabic and English, focusing on medicine and sleep disorders. It can be accessed at www.alnoum.com. The center also engages in community outreach and utilizes various media platforms to spread awareness about sleep disorders.
