Emily F. Boss

Pediatric Obstructive Sleep Apnea in Obese and Normal-Weight Children: Impact of Adenotonsillectomy on Quality-of-Life and Behavior

Objectives: To evaluate the impact of adenotonsillectomy (T&A) on quality-of-life (QOL) and behavior in obese versus normal-weight children with Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA). Design: Prospective, non-randomized, controlled study. Methods: Children with an apnea-hypopnea index (AHI) ≥2 were studied. Polysomnography was performed before and after T&A. An age- and gender-specific body mass index (BMI-for-age) percentile was determined preoperatively. Children who were obese (>95th percentile) were compared to normal-weight children (BMI-for-age > 5th–85th percentile). Caregivers completed the OSA-18 QOL survey and the Behavioral Assessment Survey for Children (BASC) before surgery and 3–6 months postoperatively. Pre- and postoperative scores were compared using paired t-tests, and the impact of covariants was analyzed using ANOVA. Results: The study population consisted of 89 children, 40 of whom were obese (45%). Postoperative scores for AHI, OSA-18 total and domain scores, and BASC scales and composites were significantly lower (improved) compared to pre-operative values in all children (p < .001). All mean OSA-18 and BASC scores were higher (indicating worse quality-of-life and behavior) pre- and postoperatively in obese than in normal-weight children. Postoperatively, the majority of OSA-18 total scores and domain scores were significantly higher in obese children. A comparison of the total OSA-18 scores between children with a postoperative AHI < 2 and AHI ≥ 2 in obese children and a similar comparison in normal-weight children was not statistically significant. There was no significant difference for BASC scores pre- and postoperatively between obese and normal-weight children. The pre- and postoperative scores for the AHI had a poor correlation with the pre- and postoperative Behavioral Symptoms Index (BSI) and total OSA-18 scores (r = .09), respectively. Conclusions: Following T&A all children have improvements in AHI, QOL, and behavior. Obese children are more likely to have persistent OSA and poor QOL scores after T&A. Behavior improves postoperatively to a similar extent in all children regardless of obesity.

Racial/ethnic and socioeconomic disparities in the diagnosis and treatment of sleep-disordered breathing in children

OBJECTIVE Although racial/ethnic and socioeconomic healthcare disparities in pediatric primary care are widely documented, little is known regarding health disparities for common otolaryngic conditions. Pediatric sleep-disordered breathing (SDB) is highly prevalent, associated with significant physical and neurocognitive sequelae, and a common reason for pediatric otolaryngology referral. We sought to synthesize information from published findings related to racial/ethnic and socioeconomic disparities in children with SDB. METHODS Qualitative systematic review of MEDLINE database for articles reporting on racial/ethnic or socioeconomic differences in prevalence, diagnosis or surgical treatment of SDB in children over 30 years. RESULTS Of 210 abstracts identified, 33 met inclusion criteria. 24 articles directly addressed differences in race/ethnicity and socioeconomic status, and 10 had findings which identified a disparity. Differences were identified in prevalence, sleep patterns, and sequelae of pediatric SDB (24/33) and in access to care and utilization of adenotonsillectomy (10/33). Black children (12/33) and children with socioeconomic deprivation (17/33) were the most common minority groups studied. Although conclusions were broad, common study findings showed: (1) children in racial/ethnic and socioeconomic minorities may have higher prevalence and greater risk for SDB, and (2) In the U.S., white children or children with private insurance are more likely to undergo adenotonsillectomy. CONCLUSIONS Racial/ethnic and socioeconomic disparities are prevalent among children with SDB. Disparities in multiracial populations and disparities in access to care, treatment, and utilization of services for pediatric SDB require more detailed investigation. Given the potential negative impact of SDB in children, as well as its economic consequences, the evaluation of disparities should be prioritized in health policy research.

Racial/ethnic and socioeconomic disparities in the prevalence and treatment of otitis media in children in the United States.

Although racial/ethnic and socioeconomic disparities in child health are prevalent, little is known about them within common pediatric otolaryngic problems. Otitis media (OM) is a frequent diagnosis in children, and tympanostomy tube placement is the most common surgical treatment for OM. We sought to identify current knowledge regarding racial/ethnic and socioeconomic disparities in children with OM or tympanostomy tube placement.

Prevalence and severity of obstructive sleep apnea and snoring in infants with Pierre Robin sequence.

Objective To evaluate the prevalence and severity of obstructive sleep apnea in infants with Pierre Robin sequence prior to airway intervention and determine whether snoring correlates with the presence of obstructive sleep apnea in this population. Design Retrospective case series. Setting Urban tertiary care teaching hospital. Participants/Methods Review of infants with Pierre Robin sequence who underwent polysomnography in the first year of life from 2002 to 2007. Only results from the initial polysomnography were analyzed. A subgroup of consecutive prospectively tested patients was also evaluated. Results A total of 33 infants with Pierre Robin sequence were identified. Of these, 13 (39%), 11 girls and two boys, underwent polysomnography in the first year of life. The mean age at evaluation was 48 days (range, 7 to 214 days). Seven nonconsecutive and six consecutive patients were included, and no significant differences were seen between groups. Obstructive sleep apnea was identified in 11 of 13 (85%) infants. The mean obstructive apnea-hypopnea index was 33.5 (range, 0 to 85.7). Obstructive sleep apnea severity was mild in 2 of 11 (18%), moderate in 3 of 11 (27%), and severe in 6 of 11 (55%). Mean end-tidal Pco2 measurements were elevated at 59 mm Hg (range, 47 to 76 mm Hg). Mean oxygen saturation nadir was decreased at 80% (range, 68% to 93%). Snoring occurred in only 7 of 13 (54%). Of the subjects with obstructive sleep apnea, snoring occurred in 6 of 11 (55%). Conclusion The high incidence of obstructive sleep apnea in this group suggests that polysomnography should be promptly performed in children with Pierre Robin sequence. Although snoring was seen in the majority, the absence of snoring did not exclude the presence of obstructive sleep apnea.

Shared Decision Making and Choice for Elective Surgical Care: A Systematic Review.

Objective Shared decision making (SDM), an integrative patient-provider communication process emphasizing discussion of scientific evidence and patient/family values, may improve quality care delivery, promote evidence-based practice, and reduce overuse of surgical care. Little is known, however, regarding SDM in elective surgical practice. The purpose of this systematic review is to synthesize findings of studies evaluating use and outcomes of SDM in elective surgery. Data Sources PubMed, Cochrane CENTRAL, EMBASE, CINAHL, and SCOPUS electronic databases. Review Methods We searched for English-language studies (January 1, 1990, to August 9, 2015) evaluating use of SDM in elective surgical care where choice for surgery could be ascertained. Identified studies were independently screened by 2 reviewers in stages of title/abstract and full-text review. We abstracted data related to population, study design, clinical dilemma, use of SDM, outcomes, treatment choice, and bias. Results Of 10,929 identified articles, 24 met inclusion criteria. The most common area studied was spine (7 of 24), followed by joint (5 of 24) and gynecologic surgery (4 of 24). Twenty studies used decision aids or support tools, including modalities that were multimedia/video (13 of 20), written (3 of 20), or personal coaching (4 of 20). Effect of SDM on preference for surgery was mixed across studies, showing a decrease in surgery (9 of 24), no difference (8 of 24), or an increase (1 of 24). SDM tended to improve decision quality (3 of 3) as well as knowledge or preparation (4 of 6) while decreasing decision conflict (4 of 6). Conclusion SDM reduces decision conflict and improves decision quality for patients making choices about elective surgery. While net findings show that SDM may influence patients to choose surgery less often, the impact of SDM on surgical utilization cannot be clearly ascertained.

Systematic review of site of obstruction identification and non-CPAP treatment options for children with persistent pediatric obstructive sleep apnea.

Although adenotonsillectomy is accepted as a first‐line therapy for pediatric obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), there is currently no consensus regarding optimal methods for identifying the sites of obstruction or treatment of children with persistent disease after surgery. With this in mind, our aim was to systematically review the English‐language literature pertaining to these issues.

Surgical management of chronic rhinosinusitis in cystic fibrosis: a systematic review.

The objective of this work was to systematically review literature on the effectiveness of surgical management for chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) in cystic fibrosis (CF) patients.

Socioeconomic disparities for hearing-impaired children in the united states †‡

This study aims to evaluate disparities in socioeconomic status and healthcare utilization in hearing‐impaired children using a nationally representative sample.

The association between allergic rhinitis and sleep-disordered breathing in children: a systematic review.

The objective of this work was to systematically review existing literature on the association between allergic rhinitis (AR) and sleep‐disordered breathing (SDB) in children.

Patient satisfaction in otolaryngology: Can academic institutions compete?

Public reporting and transparency of patient experience is an emerging national healthcare priority. The objectives of this report are to describe patient satisfaction scores in ambulatory otolaryngology and examine the association of teaching status across multiple service domains.