Abstract
Introduction: Various studies in sleep disorders and the physiopathology of OSA has demonstrated the important role that dentistry could play in improving the lifespan of individuals with OSA.
Objective: To validate, in Brazil, the use of an oral appliance (OA) to treat OSA and primary snoring.
Methods: A retrospective study was carried out on 69 patients presented all OSA degrees or primary snoring, who were fitted to PMPositioner between 2000 and 2010. The diagnosis and degree of severity were established by a polysomnogram (PSG) prior treatment and the efficacy of OA therapy verified by another PSG after a minimum of 6 month of OA usage. Sleepiness was evaluated by Epworth Sleepiness Scale (EES) questionnaire prior to treatment and at the follow up.
Results: Patients were divided in two groups, snoring group (SG) with 7 patients and OSA group with 62 patients. Snoring patients showed no statistical results for PSG variables. AHI ≤5 was found in 25 (40%) patients, AHI ≤10 was found in 52 (84%) patients, and AHI < 15 was found in 60 (3.2%) patients. Among mild patients, the mean AHI reduced from 12,2±2.0 to 3.3±2.6 p<0.0001, among moderate (33) patients, the mean AHI reduced from 21.0±3.5 to 4.6±3.8 and among severe (12) patients, the mean AHI reduced to 44.8±13.5 to 10.0 to 4.3. The mean minimum oxyhemoglobin saturation (SaO2 nadir) for the entire OSA group, increased from 81.1±8.2 to 86.8±7.7 (p<0.001). The ESS values reduced significantly from 13,5±5,6 to 8,4±3,5 (p<0.5).
Conclusion: We can support the efficacy of adjustable oral appliance in the OSA therapy in Brazilian patients. Various physiologic variables have improved.
- © 2011 ERS
