Sepsis Growing Concern For Intensive Care Unit Patients In Middle East

Online, November 13, 2012 (Newswire.com) - Sepsis, a condition characterised by a whole-body inflammatory state that is triggered by an infection, has been a major concern for many physicians globally and is now being highlighted as a concern within critical care circles in the Middle East. Public awareness about this serious condition is still low. Physician awareness is also still below the targeted level in this region so campaigns to increase the knowledge and awareness among physician practicing in this region have to be carried out first.

Sepsis is one of the topics to be discussed at the 3rd Respiratory, Critical Care and Sleep Diseases Conference taking place at Arab Health Exhibition & Congress 2013 from 30 - 31 January in Dubai, UAE. The CME accredited conference will look at the latest information pertaining to the diagnosis, management and treatment of pulmonary disorders, chronic respiratory disease and critical patient care in the Middle East region.

Severe sepsis is a very serious condition, which is usually treated in the intensive care unit with intravenous fluids and antibiotics. This inflammatory response is driven by reaction of our immune system to pathogens (like bacteria) in the blood, urine, lungs, skin, or other tissues.

Sepsis patients usually require preventive measures for deep vein thrombosis, stress and pressure ulcers, unless other conditions prevent this. A good control of blood sugar levels, occasionally requiring treatment with intravenous insulin is one of the cornerstones of treatment, hence its importance in the Middle East which is home to six out of the world's top ten countries for highest prevalence (%) of diabetes.

According to Dr. Amro Alastal, pulmonary, critical care and sleep medicine consultant at the American Hospital Dubai and Advisory Board member for the 3rd Respiratory, Critical Care and Sleep Diseases Conference at Arab Health 2013, "Mortality rates as a result of sepsis (also known as blood poisoning) have been increasing over the past 20 years. This is a very alarming phenomenon and must be controlled. We are lucky that are various measures that can be taken to treat it, however, caution must be exercised at all times when assessing a patient for potential sepsis."

"There has been a large increase in sepsis as a result of introducing strong medication that suppresses the immune system," explains Dr. Alastal. "These medications are used to treat patients suffering from cancer or who have undergone organ transplant surgeries, for example. The administration of antibiotics has increased in the region and unfortunately many strains of bacteria have become resistant to antibiotics, making the treatment of sepsis more difficult in some cases. In the past, these patients would have died due to complications of their disease but as time progresses we get better at treating the underlying illness itself, and patients survive longer as a result; however in some cases they die due complications of the therapy itself."

Established 38 years ago, the Arab Health Exhibition and Congress provides a platform for the world's leading manufacturers, wholesalers and distributors to meet the medical and scientific community in the Middle East and beyond. Arab Health, organised by Informa Life Sciences Exhibitions, takes place from 28-31 January 2013 at the Dubai International Convention and Exhibition Centre. With more than 3500 exhibiting companies from 32 countries, and 19 CME accredited medical conferences, Arab Health is a much anticipated addition to the 2013 medical event calendar in the Middle East region.

For more information about the Arab Health Exhibition and Congress, please visit www.arabhealthonline.com or call +971 4 407 2743.

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Note to Editors

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