Efficacy and comorbidity of oral appliances in the treatment of obstructive sleep apnea-hypopnea: a systematic review and preliminary results of a randomized trial

Indications for Dental Specialists for Treating Obstructive Sleep Apnea with Mandibular Advancement Devices: A Narrative Review

Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) syndrome is characterized by repeated airway collapse during sleep. It determines cardiovascular, pulmonary, and neurocognitive consequences and is associated with several daytime and nighttime symptoms that influence the patient's quality of life. The contribution of the dental specialist in the clinical management of OSA patients entails participating in the screening process as diagnostic sentinels and providing adequate treatment using mandibular advancement devices (MADs). Since the treatment of OSA requires a multidisciplinary approach, including different medical specialists, dentists should have a comprehensive understanding of medical and dental factors that influence the strategy and effectiveness of OSA treatment with MAD. Such expertise is crucial in determining the appropriate treatment indications and helps clinicians establish a consolidated position within the multidisciplinary OSA team. In this regard, this review summarizes the evidence of the clinical indications for MAD treatment and provides the dental specialist with helpful information about medical, functional, and other relevant factors that should be considered during diagnosis, treatment plan, and follow-up stages. Information retrieved was organized and discussed, generating specific domains/queries oriented to the clinical management of OSA patients from the clinical perspective of dental specialists.

The role of orthodontics in management of obstructive sleep apnea

Dental sleep medicine is the field of dental practice that deals with the management of sleep-related breathing disorders, which includes obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) in adults and children. Depending on the developmental age of the patient and the cause of the apnea dental treatment options may vary. For adult patients, treatment modalities may include oral appliance therapy (OAT), orthognathic surgery and surgical or miniscrew supported palatal expansion. While for children, treatment may include non-surgical maxillary expansion and orthodontic functional appliances. Many physicians and dentists are unaware of the role dentistry, particularly orthodontics, may play in the interdisciplinary management of these disorders. This review article is an attempt to compile evidence-based relevant information on the role of orthodontists/sleep dentists in the screening, diagnosis, and management of sleep apnea. Oral sleep appliance mechanisms of action, selective efficacy, and the medical physiological outcomes are discussed. The purpose of this review is to provide a comprehensive understanding of how orthodontists and sleep physicians can work in tandem to maximize the benefits and minimize the side effects while treating patients with OSA.

Systematic reviews in orthodontics: Impact of the PRISMA for Abstracts checklist on completeness of reporting

INTRODUCTION

This study evaluated and compared the completeness of reporting of abstracts of orthodontics systematic reviews before and after the publication of the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) extension for Abstracts Checklist (PRISMA-A).

METHODS

Abstracts of systematic reviews and meta-analyses in orthodontics published in PubMed, Latin American and Caribbean Health Sciences Literature, and the Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews databases before March 23, 2018, that met the predefined inclusion and exclusion criteria, were evaluated using the 12 items of PRISMA-A, scoring each item from 0 to 2. Abstracts were classified into 2 groups: before and after publication of the PRISMA-A checklist. Three calibrated evaluators (intraclass correlation coefficient and kappa > 0.8) assessed the scores for compliance with the checklist. The number of authors, country of affiliation of the first author, performance of meta-analysis, and topic of the article were recorded. A regression analysis was performed to assess the associations between abstract characteristics and the PRISMA-A scores.

RESULTS

Of 1034 abstracts evaluated, 389 were included in the analysis. The mean PRISMA-A score was 53.39 (95% CI, 51.83-54.96). The overall score for studies published after the publication of the checklist was significantly higher than for studies published before (P ≤ 0.0001). The components returning significantly higher scores after publication of PRISMA-A were title (P = 0.024), information from databases (P = 0.026), risk of bias (P ≤ 0.0001), included studies (P ≤ 0.0001), synthesis of results (P ≤ 0.0001), interpretation of results (P = 0.035), financing and conflict of interest (P ≤ 0.0001), and registration (P ≤ 0.0001). These results showed the positive effect of PRISMA-A had on the quality of reporting of orthodontics systematic reviews. Nevertheless, the poor adherence revealed that there is still need for improvement in the quality of abstract reporting.

CONCLUSIONS

The quality of reporting of abstracts of orthodontic systematic reviews and meta-analyses increased after the introduction of PRISMA-A.

Tratamiento con dispositivos orales para síndrome de apnea-hipopnea obstructiva del sueño (SAHOS)

El objetivo de este artículo es mejorar la práctica con dispositivos orales (DO) por parte del odontólogo tratante, al alcanzar una adecuada selección del DO y brindar seguridad y efectividad al paciente. Con el uso de estos, se intenta disminuir la frecuencia o duración de los eventos respiratorios. Los DO están indicados en pacientes con ronquido primario, síndrome de apnea-hipopnea obstructiva del sueño (SAHOS) leve-moderado y SAHOS severo que no quieran o no toleren tratamiento con presión positiva. Además, se clasifican en aparatos de retención de lengua, aparatos no ajustables y ajustables, siendo estos últimos los más recomendados por ser dispositivos de avance mandibular (DAM), pues son hechos a la medida, ajustables y de arco dual. Su mecanismo de acción consiste en protruisión del maxilar inferior, adelantamiento del hueso hioides y apertura mandibular.Los DAM son más eficaces en pacientes jóvenes, con menor índice de masa corporal (IMC), circunferencia de cuello reducida, SAHOS posicional y mandíbula retrognática. Se pueden presentar efectos adversos como salivación excesiva, cambios oclusales y trastornos temporomandibulares. Se ha demostrado que los DAM tienen un impacto en la disminución del índice de apnea-hipopnea (IAH) y somnolencia diurna, mejoría en la oxigenación nocturna, función cardiovascular, calidad de vida y comportamiento neurocognitivo. Asimismo, los DAM son superiores al tratamiento con presión positiva de vía aérea (PAP) en adherencia. Se sugiere que la terapia combinada de DAM con PAP y otros tratamientos es promisoria para aquellos pacientes que responden de manera insuficiente a la monoterapia.

The influence of head-of-bed elevation in patients with obstructive sleep apnea

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to test the effects of a mild degree of head-of-bed elevation (HOBE) (7.5°) on obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) severity and sleep quality.

Methods

OSA patients were recruited from a single sleep clinic (Criciúma, Santa Catarina, Brazil). Following a baseline polysomnography (PSG), all patients underwent a PSG with HOBE (within 2 weeks). In addition, a subset of patients performed a third PSG without HOBE.

Results

Fifty-two patients were included in the study (age 53.2 ± 9.1 years; BMI 29.6 ± 4.8 kg/m², neck circumference 38.9 ± 3.8 cm, and Epworth Sleepiness Scale 15 ± 7). Compared to baseline, HOBE significantly decreased the apnea-hypopnea index (AHI) from 15.7 [11.3–22.5] to 10.7 [6.6–16.5] events/h; p < 0.001 and increased minimum oxygen saturation from 83.5 [77.5–87] to 87 [81–90]%; p = 0.003. The sleep architecture at baseline and HOBE were similar. However, sleep efficiency increased slightly but significantly with HOBE (87.2 [76.7–90.7] vs 88.8 [81.6–93.3]; p = 0.005). The AHI obtained at the third PSG without HOBE (n = 7) returned to baseline values.

Conclusions

Mild HOBE significantly improves OSA severity without interfering in sleep architecture and therefore is a simple alternative treatment to ameliorate OSA.

A randomized, controlled trial of positional therapy versus oral appliance therapy for position-dependent sleep apnea

OBJECTIVE

To compare the effectiveness of positional therapy (PT) with the sleep position trainer (SPT) to oral appliance therapy (OAT) in patients with mild-to-moderate positional obstructive sleep apnea (POSA).

METHODS

Multicenter, prospective, randomized, controlled trial. Patients with mild-to-moderate POSA (apnea-hypopnea index (AHI) ≥5 ≤ 30/hour sleep) were randomized for PT or OAT. Polysomnography was repeated after 3 months. Efficacy, adherence, mean disease alleviation (MDA), quality of life, dropouts and adverse events were evaluated.

RESULTS

A total of 177 patients were screened for the study; 99 underwent randomization and 81 completed the study. Intention-to-treat (ITT) analysis of median [IQR] AHI showed a reduction in the PT group from 13.0 [9.7-18.5] to 7.0 [3.8-12.8], p < 0.001 and in the OAT group from 11.7 [9.0-16.2] to 9.1 [4.9-11.7], p < 0.001. Mean adherence (≥4 h/night, ≥5 days/week) was 89.3 ± 22.4% for SPT versus 81.3 ± 30.0% in OAT patients, p = 0.208.

CONCLUSIONS

Oral appliance therapy and positional therapy were equally effective in reducing the median AHI in patients with mild-to-moderate POSA. The results of this study have important implications for future OSA treatment guidelines and daily clinical practice. CLINICALTRIALS.

GOV NUMBER

NCT02045576.

Quality Assessment of Systematic Reviews on the Efficacy of Oral Appliance Therapy for Adult and Pediatric Sleep-Disordered Breathing

STUDY OBJECTIVES

To assess the methodological quality of published systematic reviews (SRs) and meta-analyses (MAs) about the efficacy of oral appliances (OA) in the management of adult and pediatric sleep-disordered breathing (SDB).

METHODS

SRs/MAs that evaluated the efficacy of OA therapy on the treatment of SDB in human subjects of all age groups were sought. Multiple electronic databases were searched for articles published in any language from the database's inception until January 2016. Two reviewers independently selected and then assessed the methodological quality of the studies using the Assessment of Multiple Systematic Reviews (AMSTAR) measurement tool.

RESULTS

Thirteen reviews on adult SDB were included (2 SRs and 11 SRs with MAs). Of those, seven were medium quality and six were high quality. Only four reviews were included on pediatric SDB (3 SRs and 1 SR with MA). Three of these were of high quality and one was medium quality. The identified limitations in the included reviews were failing to reference the excluded studies or describe reasons for exclusion, lack of applying valid criteria to assess the quality of included studies, lack of publication bias assessment, and absence of conflicts of interest reporting.

CONCLUSIONS

Overall, SRs/MAs on OA therapy for adult and pediatric SDB were conducted with acceptable methodological quality. High AMSTAR scores should not be extrapolated as a proxy of the methodological quality of the included evidence. There is a need for more primary studies and then that information can be used to be synthesized through SRs on pediatric SDB.

Oral appliance in sleep apnea treatment: respiratory and clinical effects and long-term adherence

PURPOSE

There is an increasing tendency to use oral appliance (OA) as an alternative treatment for sleep apnea. Here we report the long-term adherence and clinical effects of OA therapy.

METHODS

All sleep apnea patients treated at the Department of Dentistry between the years 2006 and 2013 (n = 1208) were reviewed. A questionnaire about OA adherence, asthma symptoms (Asthma Control Test™, ACT), and general health was sent to all patients who continued OA therapy after the 1-month follow-up visit (n = 811). OA was adjusted to obtain at least 70 % of the maximal protrusion of the mandible.

RESULTS

The response rate was 37.4 % (99 women, 204 men). The mean ± SD age and BMI were 58.7 ± 10.3 years and 27.3 ± 4.0 kg/m(2), respectively. During the mean follow-up period of 3.3 years, there was no significant variation in BMI. Forty-one patients abandoned OA therapy yielding an adherence rate of 86 %. Ninety-seven percent of patients used OA ≥4 h/day, and the mean daily use was 7.2 ± 1.1 h. The ACT score improved with OA use from 16.0 ± 5.9 to 20.1 ± 3.8 (p = 0.004), indicating better asthma control. The apnea and hypopnea index decreased significantly from 27 ± 19 at baseline to 10 ± 10 with OA therapy (p = 0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

After a 1-month trial period, the long-term adherence to oral appliance was good. OA therapy decreased apneas and hypopneas significantly, and its long-term use was associated with an improvement in respiratory and asthma symptoms.

Evaluation of the impact of a clinical pathway on the organization of a multidisciplinary dental sleep clinic

PURPOSE

Clinical pathways are used to organize complex care processes by providing structure and standardization. The multidisciplinary approach of oral appliance (OA) therapy for sleep-disordered breathing (SDB) is a complex and dynamic process suitable for such a structured pathway approach.

METHODS

A clinical pathway for patients referred for OA therapy was developed and implemented. The aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of this clinical pathway on the time to delivery of the OA and the organization of the multidisciplinary dental sleep clinic (MDSC). The latter was achieved using the care process self-evaluation tool (CPSET).

RESULTS

First, development and implementation of the clinical pathway gave structure and shortened the mean time to delivery by 102 days (240 ± 70 vs. 138 ± 33 days) (Mann-Whitney U: P < 0.001). Second, the CPSET scores were obtained in a cohort of 49 healthcare professionals involved in the pathway. Overall, patient-focused organization received the highest scores (80.5 ± 9.0%), whereas cooperation with primary care received the lowest score (66.7 ± 12.4%).

CONCLUSIONS

This is the first project on clinical pathways in OA therapy for SDB. The implementation of the pathway in our MDSC has created a significant shortening of the time to delivery. A first evaluation of the clinical pathway using the CPSET scores indicates that all disciplines involved should be thoroughly informed in an ongoing approach.

Treatment of obstructive sleep apnea using a custom-made titratable duobloc oral appliance: a prospective clinical study

PURPOSE

This prospective clinical study investigates the efficacy of a specific custom-made titratable mandibular advancement device (MAD) for the treatment of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). This MAD has attachments in the frontal teeth area that allow for progressive titration of the mandible.

METHODS

Sixty-one adult OSA patients were included (age, 46.7 ± 9.0 years; male/female ratio, 45/16; apnea-hypopnea index (AHI), 23.2 ± 15.4 events/h sleep; body mass index, 27.9 ± 4.1 kg/m²). After an adaptation period, titration started based on a protocol of symptomatic benefit or upon reaching the physiological limits of protrusion. As a primary outcome, treatment response was defined as an objective reduction in AHI following MAD treatment of ≥50 % compared to baseline, and treatment success as a reduction in AHI with MAD to less than 5 and 10 events/h sleep. Compliance failure was defined as an inability to continue treatment.

RESULTS

A statistically significant decrease was observed in AHI, from 23.4 ± 15.7 at baseline to 8.9 ± 8.6 events/h with MAD (p < 0.01). Treatment response was achieved in 42 out of 61 patients (68.8 %), whereas 42.6 % met criteria of AHI < 5 and 63.9 % achieved an AHI < 10 events/h sleep, respectively. Four patients (6.6 %) were considered as "compliance failures."

CONCLUSIONS

The present study has evaluated the efficacy of a specific custom-made titratable MAD in terms of sleep apnea reduction.

Comparison of adjustable and fixed oral appliances for the treatment of obstructive sleep apnea

STUDY OBJECTIVES

To compare the efficacy of adjustable and fixed oral appliances for the treatment of OSA.

METHODS

Retrospective review of consecutive patients with OSA treated with either adjustable or fixed oral appliances. Polysomnography was conducted before and during therapy. Effective treatment was defined as an apnea-hypopnea index (AHI) < 5 events/h or < 10 events/h with resolution of sleepiness (Epworth < 10). We compared efficacy rates between fixed and adjustable appliances and sought to identify factors associated with greater success.

RESULTS

We included 805 patients, 602 (74.8%) treated with an adjustable and 203 (25.2%) a fixed oral appliances. Among the cohort, 86.4% were men; mean age was 41.3 ± 9.2 years. Mean AHI was 30.7 ± 25.6, with 34.1% having mild (AHI 5-14.9), 29.2% moderate (AHI 15-29.9), and 36.8% severe (AHI ≥ 30) OSA. Successful therapy was significantly more common with adjustable appliances. Obstructive events were reduced to < 5/h in 56.8% with adjustable compared to 47.0% with fixed appliances (p = 0.02). Similarly, a reduction of events to < 10 with resolution of sleepiness occurred in 66.4% with adjustable appliances versus 44.9% with fixed appliances (p < 0.001). For both devices, success was more common in younger patients, with lower BMI and less severe disease.

CONCLUSIONS

Adjustable devices produced greater reductions in obstructive events and were more likely to provide successful therapy, especially in moderate-severe OSA. Fixed appliances were effective in mild disease, but were less successful in those with higher AHIs. Given these findings, the baseline AHI should be considered when selecting the type of oral appliance.

Current opinions and clinical practice in the titration of oral appliances in the treatment of sleep-disordered breathing

Obstructive sleep apnea is characterized by recurrent obstruction of the upper airway during sleep, resulting in episodic reductions in blood oxygen saturation and arousals from sleep. Mandibular repositioning appliances (MRAs) which are worn intra-orally at night, mechanically advance the mandible to help maintain a patent oropharygeal airway and have been proven to be an effective alternative for continuous positive airway pressure in the treatment of obstructive sleep apnea. Titratable MRAs are designed to gradually protrude the mandible applying an easy-to-use mechanical advancing mechanism, until a protrusive position with positive effect on sleep apnea is reached. Considering the relatively low-tech approach of the basic advancement mechanism, the interest in the mechanistic element of the dental treatment of obstructive sleep apnea has increased. The present paper provides an overview of the different titration protocols described in the recent literature together with a discussion of both the clinical and mechanical aspects of treatment. At present, a consensus exists that an optimal titration protocol is of primary importance to achieve a successful treatment outcome with an MRA. To date however, there is no consensus on how to define the optimal titration protocol.

Oral appliances for obstructive sleep apnoea

BACKGROUND

Obstructive sleep apnoea-hypopnoea (OSAH) is a syndrome characterised by recurrent episodes of partial or complete upper airway obstruction during sleep that are usually terminated by an arousal. Nasal continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) is the primary treatment for OSAH , but many patients are unable or unwilling to comply with this treatment. Oral appliances (OA) are an alternative treatment for OSAH.

OBJECTIVES

The objective was to review the effects of OA in the treatment of OSAH in adults.

SEARCH STRATEGY

We searched the Cochrane Airways Group Specialised Register. Searches were current as of June 2005. Reference lists of articles were also searched.

SELECTION CRITERIA

Randomised trials comparing OA with control or other treatments in adults with OSAH .

DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS

Two authors independently extracted data and assessed trial quality. Study authors were contacted for missing information.

MAIN RESULTS

Sixteen studies (745 participants) met the inclusion criteria. All the studies had some shortcomings, such as small sample size, under-reporting of methods and data, and lack of blinding. OA versus control appliances (six studies): OA reduced daytime sleepiness in two crossover trials (WMD -1.81;95%CI -2.72 to -0.90), and improved apnoea-hypopnoea index (AHI) (-10.78; 95% CI-15.53 to -6.03 parallel group data - five studies). OA versus CPAP (nine studies): OA were less effective than CPAP in reducing apnoea-hypopnoea index (parallel group studies: WMD 13 (95% CI 7.63 to 18.36), two trials; crossover studies: WMD 7.97; (95% CI 6.38 to 9.56, seven trials). However, no significant difference was observed on symptom scores. CPAP was more effective at improving minimum arterial oxygen saturation during sleep compared with OA. In two small crossover studies, participants preferred OA therapy to CPAP. OA versus corrective upper airway surgery (one study): Symptoms of daytime sleepiness were initially lower with surgery, but this difference disappeared at 12 months. AHI did not differ significantly initially, but did so after 12 months in favour of OA.

AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS

There is increasing evidence suggesting that OA improves subjective sleepiness and sleep disordered breathing compared with a control. CPAP appears to be more effective in improving sleep disordered breathing than OA. The difference in symptomatic response between these two treatments is not significant, although it is not possible to exclude an effect in favour of either therapy. Until there is more definitive evidence on the effectiveness of OA in relation to CPAP, with regard to symptoms and long-term complications, it would appear to be appropriate to recommend OA therapy to patients with mild symptomatic OSAH, and those patients who are unwilling or unable to tolerate CPAP therapy. Future research should recruit patients with more severe symptoms of sleepiness, to establish whether the response to therapy differs between subgroups in terms of quality of life, symptoms and persistence with usage. Long-term data on cardiovascular health are required.