Extended follow-up of palatal implants for OSA treatment

International Consensus Statement on Obstructive Sleep Apnea

BACKGROUND

Evaluation and interpretation of the literature on obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) allows for consolidation and determination of the key factors important for clinical management of the adult OSA patient. Toward this goal, an international collaborative of multidisciplinary experts in sleep apnea evaluation and treatment have produced the International Consensus statement on Obstructive Sleep Apnea (ICS:OSA).

METHODS

Using previously defined methodology, focal topics in OSA were assigned as literature review (LR), evidence-based review (EBR), or evidence-based review with recommendations (EBR-R) formats. Each topic incorporated the available and relevant evidence which was summarized and graded on study quality. Each topic and section underwent iterative review and the ICS:OSA was created and reviewed by all authors for consensus.

RESULTS

The ICS:OSA addresses OSA syndrome definitions, pathophysiology, epidemiology, risk factors for disease, screening methods, diagnostic testing types, multiple treatment modalities, and effects of OSA treatment on multiple OSA-associated comorbidities. Specific focus on outcomes with positive airway pressure (PAP) and surgical treatments were evaluated.

CONCLUSION

This review of the literature consolidates the available knowledge and identifies the limitations of the current evidence on OSA. This effort aims to create a resource for OSA evidence-based practice and identify future research needs. Knowledge gaps and research opportunities include improving the metrics of OSA disease, determining the optimal OSA screening paradigms, developing strategies for PAP adherence and longitudinal care, enhancing selection of PAP alternatives and surgery, understanding health risk outcomes, and translating evidence into individualized approaches to therapy.

Reconsidering first-line treatment for obstructive sleep apnea: a systematic review of the literature

BACKGROUND

Continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) is typically recommended as first line therapy for obstructive sleep apnea, but the adherence rate of CPAP is problematic. This study's objective was to systematically review the literature relating to CPAP as first line therapy for OSA and compare it to surgical literature on the same topic.

METHODS

A systematic review was conducted according to PRISMA guidelines, examining Medline-Ovid, Embase, and Pubmed databases. The primary search objective was to identify all papers reporting the results of (1) randomized clinical trials (RCT) of CPAP for the treatment of adults with OSA; and (2) both randomized and non-randomized clinical trials and case series on the surgical treatment of OSA in adults. A PhD-level biostatistician first screened papers, and then those that met study criteria were retrieved and analyzed using standardized forms for each author. The primary outcomes were adherence rates of CPAP.

RESULTS

A total of 82 controlled clinical trials for CPAP and 69 controlled and non-controlled surgery trials were identified for analysis. Variation in CPAP use within reported RCT trials were identified, and the majority of patients in the studies would eventually be considered non-adherent to CPAP.

CONCLUSIONS

When considering the numerous patient-related factors that come into play when CPAP is prescribed, the concept of CPAP as gold-standard therapy for OSA should be reconsidered. In many cases surgery can provide a better overall outcome. This study's results suggest that certain patients with OSA may be managed more effectively with surgery than CPAP, without confounding issues of treatment adherence.

Effect of the Pillar implant on snoring and mild obstructive sleep apnea: A multicenter study in Korea

OBJECTIVES/HYPOTHESIS

The effect of the Pillar implant on mild sleep-disordered breathing (SDB) has been assessed in various studies. However, most of these were conducted among a non-Asian population at a single institution. Therefore, the aim of this study was to prospectively evaluate the efficacy of the Pillar implant in Asian patients with simple snoring and mild obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) at multiple centers.

STUDY DESIGN

Multicenter prospective clinical trials.

METHODS

This study included consecutive subjects with simple snoring or mild OSA. We examined subjective symptoms (snoring intensity, frequency, witnessed apnea, and daytime sleepiness) and objective snoring and respiratory parameters (snoring duration [proportion of sleep while snoring louder than 50 dB], snoring loudness, apnea-hypopnea index, respiratory disturbance index, minimum arterial oxygen saturation, and oxygen desaturation index ≥ 4%) at 3 to 6 months after surgery. Adverse events were also investigated.

RESULTS

Twenty-nine subjects with mild SDB completed the study. Whole group analysis found significant improvements in various subjective symptoms, but not in the objective snoring and respiratory parameters. A subgroup analysis of subjects with mild OSA (n = 11) found significant alleviation in various subjective symptoms, apnea-hypopnea index, respiratory disturbance index, and oxygen desaturation index ≥ 4%. No major complication related to surgery was observed, and most minor adverse effects were resolved without morbidity.

CONCLUSIONS

In selected Korean patients, the Pillar implant significantly improved not only subjective symptoms of mild SDB but also respiratory disturbances in mild OSA.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

2b.

Four-year outcomes of palatal implants for primary snoring treatment: a prospective longitudinal study

OBJECTIVES/HYPOTHESIS

The objective of this study was to evaluate the long-term effectiveness of palatal implants as the treatment of primary snoring.

STUDY DESIGN

Prospective longitudinal cohort study.

METHODS

This study compared snoring outcomes before and after soft palate implantation for patients diagnosed with primary snoring (no sleep apnea). Snoring severity was obtained by the subjects' sleep partners on a 10-point Likert scale. A paired Student t test compared the mean scale values preoperatively at week 52 and at the current 4-year follow-up. Body mass index for each patient was also compared to evaluate for any significant confounders.

RESULTS

Data were obtained from 23 patients out of 26 who were followed for the full study term. The follow-up time was on average 4 years following palatal implantation. A statistically (P < .016) and clinically significant improvement in the snoring scale was noted when comparing snoring severity between the preoperative and 4-year period and between the 52-week and 4-year scores. Although statistically significant improvement was found between the preoperative period and 52 weeks, there was a clinical deterioration in snoring scale scores between 52 weeks and 4 years. The mean (standard deviation) preoperative score was 9.5 (0.5), mean week-52 score was 5.0 (1.6), and mean 4-year score was 7.0 (1.8). Body mass index did not change through the observation interval.

CONCLUSIONS

Soft palate implantation is a possible surgical technique with which to attempt to achieve subjective improvement of primary snoring severity. Subjective improvement, however, deteriorates significantly over time, and is only minimally sustained at 4 years postoperatively. This study provides new information on long-term palatal implant effectiveness.

Long-term results of palatal implants for obstructive sleep apnea

Successful results of palatal implants in the treatment of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) have been reported in the short term; however, there are limited data in the long-term results. The aim of this study was to evaluate the long-term results and to determine factors that predicted the responders in patients undergoing palatal implants in the treatment of OSA. A study was undertaken on 92 OSA patients. Palatal implants were conducted to stiffen the soft palate and data were analyzed. Patients tolerated the procedure well. They were examined between 26 and 32 months after the operation (mean 28.9 ± 4.8). Age range was 25-65 years (38.4 ± 10.5) and BMI was 27.3 ± 2.4 kg/m. The mean preoperative ESS score was 12.3 ± 2.6 and long-term ESS was 7.9 ± 1.8 (p < 0.001). The mean VAS for snoring in the baseline was 8.2 ± 1.2 and long-term VAS was 3.8 ± 2.3 (p < 0.001). The mean preoperative LSAT and long-term LSAT were 87.4 ± 6.7 and 89.2 ± 4.8%, respectively (p < 0.01). The mean AHI decreased from 21.7 ± 6.8 to 10.8 ± 4.8 (p < 0.001). Forty-eight (52.2%) patients had long-term surgical response. Responders had significantly lower preoperative BMI, AHI, and MMP level than non-responders. Implant extrusion occurred in seven patients (7.6%) and palatal abscess in one patient (1.1%). Bleeding and airway obstruction were not encountered. Palatal implants in carefully selected patients suffering from mild OSA, give fairly good long-term results and have a low complication rate.

Palatal implants for the treatment of snoring and obstructive sleep apnea/hypopnea syndrome

OBJECTIVE

Randomized, double-blinded, placebo-controlled, clinical trial to determine the effectiveness of palatal implants for treatment of mild/moderate obstructive sleep apnea/hypopnea syndrome (OSAHS).

STUDY DESIGN AND SETTING

Sixty-two non-obese adults with history of snoring, daytime sleepiness, and mild/moderate OSAHS, were randomized to receive palatal implants (n = 31) or placebo procedure (n = 31). Complete follow-up including quality of life (QOL, SF-36), snoring visual analog scale (VAS), and Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS) data were obtained in 62 patients. Seven patients refused follow-up polysomnography for a total of 55 patients (29 implant and 26 placebo).

RESULTS

The treatment group (change in score of -7.9 +/- 7.7) was significantly improved compared with the placebo group (change in score of 0.9 +/- 4.3) for apnea/hypopnea index (AHI) (P < 0.0001), QOL, SF-36 (P < 0.0001), snoring VAS (P < 0.0001), and ESS (P = 0.0002).

CONCLUSIONS

Palatal implants improve AHI, QOL, snoring intensity, and daytime sleepiness for selected patients with mild/moderate OSAHS.