Optimizing Mandibular Advancement Maneuvers during Sleep Endoscopy with a Titratable Positioner: DISE-SAM Protocol

Efficacy of the NOA® mandibular advancement device in the management of obstructive sleep apnea: A cohort study

OBJECTIVES

To evaluate the efficacy, compliance, and side effects of the NOA® device compared to other mandibular advancement devices (MADs) in managing obstructive sleep apnea (OSA).

METHODS

Thirty-three participants using the NOA® device were evaluated based on apnea-hypopnea index (AHI) reduction (criterion I: >50% reduction of AHI or criterion II: residual AHI < 5 events/hour), compliance, temporomandibular disorders (TMDs), and patient-reported side effects. These data were compared to retrospective data of 59 patients receiving a different MAD.

RESULTS

Results showed that the NOA® device was effective in 78.8% (criterion 1) and 90.9% (criterion 2) of cases, requiring less mandibular advancement than other MADs. Participants used the device for an average of 6.94 ± 0.97 hours per night. Significant improvements were noted in morning headaches, sleep bruxism, and nocturnal urination.

CONCLUSIONS

The NOA® device demonstrated high efficacy, improved patient-reported outcomes, and caused no significant side effects or issues. It required less mandibular advancement than other devices and had high patient compliance.

Individualised Therapy for Obstructive Sleep Apnoea: Predictive Models and Anatomical Phenotyping of Mandibular Advancement Devices Responses

OBJECTIVES

This non-randomised clinical study aimed to identify the phenotypic characteristics that distinguish responders from non-responders. Additionally, it sought to establish a predictive model for treatment response to obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA) using mandibular advancement devices (MAD), based on the analysed phenotypic characteristics.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

This study, registered under identifier NCT05596825, prospectively analysed MAD treatment over 6 years using two-piece adjustable appliances according to a standardised protocol. Two response definitions aligned with the latest International Consensus Statement on OSA severity were established. Logistic regression and CHAID models integrated baseline clinical, anthropometric, cephalometric anatomical, soft tissue characteristics and physiological upper airway variables.

RESULTS

A total of 112 patients completed the study: 64 responders and 48 non-responders according to response definition 1, and 81 responders and 31 non-responders according to response definition 2. Responders to MAD treatment had lower body mass index (BMI), neck and waist circumference, Epworth Sleepiness Scale scores, apnoea-hypopnea index (AHI), snoring intensity on the Visual Analog Scale, CPAP pressure, and higher T90% and minSaO2. Patients exhibiting greater anatomical imbalance, smaller airway volume, smaller minimum cross-sectional area (CSAmin) and longer airway length demonstrated a poorer response to treatment.

CONCLUSIONS

Airway length, initial T90% and anterior facial height collectively formed a highly predictive logistic regression model for response definition 1. Jarabak's ratio, gonial angle, CSAmin, airway length, initial BMI and baseline AHI constituted a highly predictive model for the second response definition. Furthermore, the CHAID regression tree established cutoff values for the variables that form the predictive models.

Polysomnographic phenotypes: predictors of treatment response in Obstructive Sleep Apnea with Mandibular Advancement devices

PURPOSE

This non-randomized clinical study aims to identify polysomnographic phenotypic characteristics that differentiate responders from non-responders to mandibular advancement devices (MAD) treatment for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) and to establish a predictive model of treatment response for OSA using oral devices based on the set of anthropometric, demographic, and polysomnographic phenotypic characteristics.

METHODS

This study was registered under the identifier number: NCT02724865. It prospectively analyzed patients receiving MAD treatment for six years. The MADs used were two-piece adjustable appliances following a standardized protocol. Treatment response was defined according to the latest International Consensus Statement on OSA severity. The study analyzed polysomnographic phenotypes, categorizing them into positional phenotype, sleep-stage phenotype (REM/NREM-OSA), and airway collapsibility phenotype. A logistic regression model and a classification and regression tree were implemented.

RESULTS

A total of 112 patients completed the study (64 responders and 48 non-responders). Positional-OSA patients had higher response rates than non-positional (64.1% vs. 35.9; p 0.032). REM-OSA and apnea-predominant phenotype showed a lower response (p < 0.001). In these phenotypes, most patients were women, with higher body mass index, higher scores in the Epworth Sleepiness Scale, lower minSaO2 in REM-OSA phenotype, and higher T90% in apnea-predominant phenotype.

CONCLUSION

This study underscores the importance of hypoxic burden in the severity of OSA. The parameters T90% and POSA formed predictive model. Additionally, MAD appears to be less effective in the REM-OSA phenotype. Moreover, although patients with an apnea-predominant phenotype responded less favorably, there was a conversion from apneas to hypopneas, reducing severity.

Pilot analysis of magnetic resonance imaging-based contributors to patient-centred optimization of mandibular advancement devices in obstructive sleep apnea

Mandibular advancement devices are an effective treatment option for obstructive sleep apnea. While their efficacy depends on the degree of mandibular protrusion, other contributing factors influencing the optimal outcome are not fully understood. This magnetic resonance imaging-based pilot study aimed at investigating whether there are promising planimetric parameters that may be related to the optimal therapeutic position. A second aim was to assess possible sex-specific differences. Planimetric data from magnetic resonance imaging taken in the habitual position and four protrusion grades were collected from 11 female and 14 male patients with obstructive sleep apnea (age 45 ± 13.3 years; body mass index 27.6 ± 4.5 kg m-2). Data were correlated with outcome as substantiated by polygraphic data obtained at the habitual position and at each of two protrusion positions considered to reveal the highest treatment effect. Protrusion degree and lateral widening of the retropalatal region correlated most strongly (R = 0.56, p < 0.001). Relationships between planimetric data and treatment success were most pronounced at the level of the smallest cross-section, expressed, for example, by a correlation between oxygen desaturation index and lateral diameter (R = -0.4, p = 0.012). Female participants appeared to show improved polygraphic values at a lower protrusion degree than males. Data from magnetic resonance imaging allow for a comprehensive analysis combining insights from planimetric velopharyngeal measurements at different individual protrusion grades and correlation with outcome. The results of this pilot work encourage further evaluation in large-scale studies. These should focus on the velopharyngeal region and investigate the influence of sex more closely.

Reproduction of physiological mandibular advancement during adult drug-induced sleep endoscopy

Drug-induced sleep endoscopy (DISE), performed in the operating room, improves airway obstruction phenotyping in obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS). It pharmacologically approximates human sleep and allows dynamic maneuvers, notably including mandibular advancement, the results of which are predictive of those with a mandibular advancement device (MAD): when obstruction is resolved by mandibular advancement under DISE, a MAD may be indicated. However, individual maximal mandibular advancement in the waking state has to be taken into account, and the MAD should not exceed 75% of this value (MA75), in order to respect temporomandibular joint tolerance. Thus, MA75 needs to be measured and reproduced exactly during DISE in order to assess the clinical indication for MAD in terms of both efficacy and tolerance. The present technical note describes a method for measuring MA75 and reproducing it during DISE with an adapted device so as to select candidates for MAD.

Mandibular advancement device in obstructive sleep apnea treatment: what happens to the condyle position and patient response?

BACKGROUND

This study aims primarily to assess the mandibular condyles and patient response to MAD therapy using cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT). Also, the study proposes to analyze whether variations in condylar position, OSA severity and mandibular protrusion influence patient response.

METHODS

23 patients diagnosed with mild/moderate OSA and treated with MAD comprised the sample. Clinical, CBCT, and PSG assessments were conducted at baseline and with MAD in therapeutic protrusion (4-6 months of MAD use). The condyle position was vertically and horizontally evaluated at baseline and at the therapeutic protrusion.

RESULTS

The condyle position significantly changed with MAD, showing anterior (7.3 ± 2.8 mm; p < 0.001) and inferior (3.5 ± 1 mm; p < 0.001) displacement. Patients with mild OSA required more protrusion (p = 0.02) for improvement. Responders exhibited a significantly prominent (p = 0.04) anterior baseline condyle position. A negative modest correlation was found between treatment response and baseline condyle anterior position (p = 0.03; r=-0.4), as well as between OSA severity and the percentage of maximum protrusion needed for therapeutic protrusion (p = 0.02; r=-0.4). The patient protrusion amount did not predict condylar positional changes. Neither condyle position, OSA severity, nor therapeutic protrusion were predictors of MAD treatment response.

CONCLUSION

MAD resulted in anterior and inferior condylar displacement, and the amount of protrusion did not predict condylar positional changes. Responders showed a more anterior baseline condyle position. OSA severity and mandibular protrusion did not predict treatment response.

DISE with CPAP: a useful procedure to evaluate upper airway collapsibility

PURPOSE

Drug-induced sleep endoscopy (DISE) is commonly performed in patients suffering obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) with continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) intolerance. We aimed to evaluate the effects of adding CPAP to DISE to provide understanding of the reason of its failure and better guidance in future therapeutic decisions.

METHODS

A retrospective observational descriptive study was conducted on CPAP-intolerant patients with moderate-severe OSA. DISE was used to evaluate upper airway collapsibility, and CPAP was tested to better describe anatomical sites of obstruction and to measure the opening pharyngeal pressure.

RESULTS

Sample size consisted of 38 patients with a mean age of 49 ± 9 years. Mean BMI was 28.4 ± 2.4 kg/m2, mean apnea-hypopnea index (AHI) was 35.4 events per hour ± 20.1, and mean saturation under 90% (TSat90) was 14.5%. In DISE we found a collapse at Velum in 92% of patients, at Oropharyngeal level in 89%, at tongue in 42%, and at epiglottis in 36%. In the subgroup of patients with clinical failure with CPAP, we observed 100% of epiglottic collapse and 50% of tongue obstruction. In this specific population, we recommended personalized surgery and myofunctional therapy.

CONCLUSION

DISE-CPAP is a useful tool to select the treatment that better fits to each patient taking care all information available. It improves our ability to prescribe a multilevel treatment with an exhaustive topographic evaluation of upper airway collapsibility that complements CPAP classic titration, and it can be helpful to distinguish better candidates for surgery, myofunctional therapy or CPAP.

Modifications in Upper Airway Collapsibility during Sleep Endoscopy with a Mandibular Positioner: Study in Snorers and Obstructive Sleep Apnea Patients

BACKGROUND

Mandibular advancement devices (MADs) are an effective treatment for patients with sleep-related breathing disorders, with variable response. Increasingly more research points to the predictive value of Drug-Induced Sleep Endoscopy (DISE) in patient selection. This study aims to analyze the changes in upper airway collapsibility using a titratable MAD simulator during DISE.

METHODS

This study included 104 patients with simple snoring and obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). The VOTE scale was used to assess the presence of collapses during the DISE both without and with the MAD simulator.

RESULTS

In snorers, there was a decrease in collapses at the level of the soft palate and oropharynx when the advancement was achieved. Patients with mild OSA also showed a decrease in collapses at the base of the tongue. Patients with moderate/severe OSA exhibited significant amelioration at all levels. The levels at which there were residual collapses despite the maneuver were, in order, the velopharynx, oropharynx, epiglottis, and tongue.

CONCLUSIONS

The MAD simulator reduces collapsibility at all levels and in all severity groups. Residual collapses suitable for combined treatments were able to be identified. This highlights the need for individualized patient selection, as upper airway collapsibility exhibits variable improvement or worsening with the MAD simulator regardless of the severity of the condition.

Chronic Breathlessness in Obstructive Sleep Apnea and the Use of Lymphocyte Parameters to Identify Overlap Syndrome among Patients

Little is known about the distribution of etiology in obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) combined with chronic breathlessness. A significant portion of patients in this group have so-called "overlap syndrome (OVS)", characterized by chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). OVS has more complications and a poorer prognosis compared to patients with either OSA or COPD alone, which makes it important to identify OVS early in OSA. The current study was a retrospective cross-sectional analysis of consecutive adult patients who were diagnosed with OSA (n = 1062), of whom 275 were hospitalized due to chronic breathlessness. Respiratory and cardiac diseases accounted for the vast majority of causes, followed by gastrointestinal and renal disorders. The final study population comprised 115 patients with OSA alone (n = 64) and OVS (n = 51), who had chronic breathlessness as the primary complaint, not secondary as one of many other complaints. Lymphocytes, CD4 counts, neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR), and PLR were differently expressed between the OSA-alone group and OVS group. The NLR, lymphocytes, and CD4 counts had a moderate diagnostic value for OVS in OSA patients, with AUCs of 0.708 (95% CI, 0.614-0.802), 0.719 (95% CI, 0.624-0.813), and 0.744 (95% CI, 0.653-0.834), respectively. The NLR had the highest AUC for predicting a 6-month re-admission of OVS, with a cut-off of 3.567 and a moderate prognostic value. The sensitivity and specificity were 0.8 and 0.732, respectively. In the animal model, the spleen hematoxylin- and eosin-stained, electron microscopy images showed germinal-center damage, chromatin activation, and mitochondrial swelling under the overlapping effect of intermittent hypoxia and cigarette smoke exposure. OSA with chronic breathlessness cannot be overstated. A significant proportion of patients with COPD in this group had poor lung function at initial diagnosis. The NLR is a useful biomarker to differentiate OVS among OSA patients combined with chronic breathlessness.

The clinical application progress and potential of drug-induced sleep endoscopy in obstructive sleep apnea

Background and Objective: Obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA) is characterized by nocturnal repetitive upper airway (UA) collapse. For sleep physicians, the recognition of UA collapse characteristics is critical for understanding OSA mechanisms and developing individualized treatment plans. Drug-induced sleep endoscopy (DISE) is an exam during simulated sleep that allows the dynamic assessment of the UA of individuals with OSA. The initial recognition of DISE was to locate the sites of UA obstruction and direct the surgical selection of OSA since it was introduced in the 1990s. After approximately 30 years of studies, based on advances in endoscopic operative techniques and innovative treatments of OSA, DISE had been performed to explore mechanisms and comprehensive treatments related to UA collapse. Methods: This article reviewed contemporary DISE advances, including indications and contraindications, technique of induced sleep, endoscopic operation, UA characteristics classification.Results and Conclusions: Precise selection based on the association between collapse patterns and treatment modalities, such as continuous positive airway pressure, oral appliance, positional therapy, robotic surgery and neurostimulator implanting, is the future research prospect based on DISE.Key messagesDISE provides sleep physicians with valuable information about the upper airway collapse characteristics and dynamic changes during sleep.The studies based on DISE findings improve the selectivity and efficiency of treatment modalities, including classical therapies such as continuous positive airway pressure, oral appliance, positional therapy, and innovative therapies such as neurostimulator implanting and robotic surgery, promote the advancement of OSA precision medicine.

Pilot Study of a New Mandibular Advancement Device

This study was conducted to determine the efficacy of a customized mandibular advancement device (MAD) in the treatment of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). Eight patients (M = 3; F = 5; mean age = 56.3 ± 9.4) with a diagnosis of OSA confirmed by polysomnography (PSG) were recruited on the basis of the following inclusion criteria: apnea-hypopnea index (AHI) > 5, age between 18 and 75 years, body mass index (BMI) < 25, and PSG data available at baseline (T0). All were treated with the new NOA® MAD by OrthoApnea (NOA®) for at least 3 months; PSG with NOA in situ was performed after 3 months of treatment (T1). The following parameters were calculated at T0 and T1: AHI, supine AHI, oxygen desaturation index (ODI), percentage of recording time spent with oxygen saturation <90% (SpO2 < 90%), and mean oxygen desaturation (MeanSpO2%). Data were submitted for statistical analysis. The baseline values were AHI = 21.33 ± 14.79, supine AHI = 35.64 ± 12.80, ODI = 17.51 ± 13.5, SpO2 < 90% = 7.82 ± 17.08, and MeanSpO2% = 93.45 ± 1.86. Four patients had mild OSA (5 > AHI < 15), one moderate OSA (15 > AHI < 30), and three severe OSA (AHI > 30). After treatment with NOA®, statistically significant improvements in AHI (8.6 ± 4.21) and supine AHI (11.21 ± 7.26) were recorded. OrthoApnea NOA® could be an effective alternative in the treatment of OSA: the device improved the PSG parameters assessed.