CPAP Follow Up Program

National Sleep Day, organized March 18 by the Institut National du Sommeil et de la
Vigilance en France, as part of International Sleep Awareness Week, is an
opportunity to promote awareness of sleep apnea, a little known disorder which can
lead to serious complications. The disorder affects 1.5 million people in France,
and 5% of the world’s adult population. Eight out of 10 sleep apneics are
unaware of their condition. Untreated sleep apnea multiplies by six the risk of
road accidents and coronary accidents and it can lead to numerous other
disorders (diabetes, metabolic syndrome, depression, behavioral problems, etc.).

The standard treatment for sleep apnea is Continuous Positive Airway Pressure
(CPAP), handled daily and in the patient’s home. Air Liquide is a major global
player in this field. In Europe, the Group provides services for 15% of all patients,
working alongside their doctors. Air Liquide is strengthening its international position:
after recent acquisitions in the Netherlands (Comcare Medical) and Tunisia (Air
Separation), it has just opened its first “sleep center” in China, dedicated to the
global care management of patients suffering from sleep apnea.

Nearly 250,000 apneics in France have been treated. However, around 20% of new
patients stop treatment within the first six months. As a result, ensuring
treatment is properly followed is a major public health issue. Air Liquide
conducted a clinical study in 2006 through its subsidiary VitalAire, in
cooperation with 194 doctors and 674 patients. The study showed the
effectiveness of a phone support program for patients, resulting in a significantly
higher adherence to treatment (+8 points) and longer machine usage per night
(+35 minutes).

For this reason, the Group, with VitalAire, is launching in France a new, personalized
support program for sleep apnea patients. Telephone support by nurses, as well
as new educational tools (a sleep diary, manual, patient DVD, etc.) created with the
help of medical experts, will be proposed to doctors for their apneic patients, in
addition to the traditional follow-up home visits by technicians. The aim is to increase
patients’ motivation and compliance to make treatment more successful.