Snoring and obstructive sleep apnea syndrome: a reflection on the role of dentistry in the current scientific scenario

A retrospective study of the influence of obesity on polysomnography and cephalometric parameters in males with obstructive sleep apnea

OBJECTIVE

Evaluate the influence of obesity on the polysomnographic and cephalometric parameters in obstructive sleep apnea (OSA).

METHODS

Fifty records of male patients with OSA, containing information on dental, medical, polysomnographic, and cephalometric exams were selected. The degree of obesity was based on Body Mass Index (BMI). Group I comprised normal or overweight individuals (BMI ≤ 29.9 kg/m2), whereas Group II consisted of obese individuals (BMI ≥ 29.9 kg/m2).

RESULTS

BMI significantly correlated with apnea and hypopnea index (p < 0.0005), minimal oxyhemoglobin saturation (p < 0.0005), and two cephalometric variables (soft palate length, p = 0.01 and width, p = 0.01). Group II showed a significant correlation with the position of the hyoid bone (p = 0.02). Soft palate length and width significantly differed between groups (p = 0.014; 0.016).

CONCLUSION

Obese males present wider and longer soft palate dimensions, and patients with a greater BMI present a more inferiorly positioned hyoid bone.

A Prospective Study of the Surgical Outcome of Simple Uvulopalatopharyngoplasty (UPPP), UPPP Combined With Genioglossus Advancement or Tongue Base Advancement for Obstructive Sleep Apnea Hypopnea Syndrome Patients With Multilevel Obstruction

OBJECTIVES

To investigate the surgical outcomes of different uvulopalatopharyngoplasty (UPPP).

METHODS

All subjects underwent overnight polysomnography and were evaluated using the Epworth sleepiness scale (ESS), the Quebec sleep questionnaire and the snoring scale at the baseline and 3 and 12 months following operation. The primary endpoint was the overall effective rate representing the sum of the surgical success rate and effective rate.

RESULTS

The overall effective rate at 12 months post surgery was 55.6% for simple UPPP, 95.8% for UPPP+GA, and 92.3% for UPPP+TBA. The surgical success rate at 3 and 12 months postoperation for UPPP+GA or UPPP+TBA was significantly higher than simple UPPP (P<0.05). Marked improvement was observed in all patients in the snoring scale score and the ESS score 3 and 12 months following surgery compared to the baseline (P<0.05 in all).

CONCLUSION

UPPP, UPPP+GA, and UPPP+TBA are all effective in improving the surgical outcome of obstructive sleep apnea hypopnea syndrome (OSAHS) patients with multilevel obstruction. UPPP+TBA appears to be the most effective in treating OSAHS patients.