Pia Nerfeldt

SKUP3 randomised controlled trial: polysomnographic results after uvulopalatopharyngoplasty in selected patients with obstructive sleep apnoea

Objective To assess the 6-month efficacy of uvulopalatopharyngoplasty (UPPP) compared with expectancy in selected patients with obstructive sleep apnoea syndrome (OSAS). Design A prospective single-centre randomised controlled trial with two parallel arms stratified by Friedman stage and body mass index (BMI). Participants 65 consecutive patients with moderate to severe OSAS (apnoea-hypopnoea index (AHI) ≥15 events/h sleep), BMI <36 kg/m2, Epworth sleepiness scale ≥8, Friedman stage I or II. Intervention Surgical treatment with UPPP. The control group underwent UPPP after a delay of 6 months. Outcomes Changes in AHI and other polysomnography parameters at baseline compared with the 6-month follow-up. Results All patients (32 in the intervention group and 33 in the control group) completed the trial. The mean (SD) AHI in the intervention group decreased significantly (p<0.001) by 60% from 53.3 (19.7) events/h to 21.1 (16.7) events/h . In the control group the mean AHI decreased by 11% from 52.6 (21.7) events/h to 46.8 (22.8) events/h, with a significant difference between the groups (p<0.001). The mean time in the supine position and the BMI were unchanged in both groups. Subgroup analyses for Friedman stage, BMI group and tonsil size all showed significant reductions in AHI in the intervention group compared with controls. There were no severe complications after surgery. Conclusions This trial demonstrates the efficacy of UPPP in treating selected patients with OSAS with a mean reduction in AHI of 60% compared with 11% in controls, a highly significant and clinically relevant difference between the groups. Trial registration number NCT01659671.

Questionnaire OSA-18 has poor validity compared to polysomnography in pediatric obstructive sleep apnea

OBJECTIVE To evaluate the diagnostic value of the quality-of-life instrument OSA-18 by comparing it with objective data from polysomnography in children with sleep-disordered breathing. STUDY DESIGN Cross-sectional. PATIENTS AND METHODS Full-night polysomnographic data were obtained from 225 subjects, 139 boys and 86 girls, median age 4.5 years (1-12) in our sleep laboratory. Their caregivers answered the OSA-18 quality-of-life instrument (range 18-126). The polysomnographic parameter, the apnea-hypopnea index (AHI) was compared with the total symptom score (TSS) and with the subscale of sleep disturbance (SD) from the OSA-18 questionnaire. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves were created to test the predictive value of OSA-18. RESULTS With the TSS of the OSA-18 at ≥60, compared with AHI levels of >1 and ≥5, the sensitivity was 55.2% and 59.3% respectively, and the specificity 40.9% and 48.4%, respectively. With the TSS>80 and AHI levels of ≥5 and ≥10, the sensitivity was 24.6% and 32.1%, respectively. For the subscale of SD, the majority of the subjects showed poor correlation with the AHI values. The ROC area under the curve for different levels of the AHI (>1, ≥5, and ≥10) was 0.49, 0.57, and 0.56, respectively. CONCLUSIONS The OSA-18 questionnaire showed poor validity in detecting and predicting pediatric OSA. The majority of the children with severe OSA would not be correctly diagnosed if the OSA-18 were used as a dominant diagnostic tool.

15-year efficacy of uvulopalatopharyngoplasty based on objective and subjective data

Abstract Conclusions: This follow-up showed a stable and significant decrease in median oxygen desaturation index 4% (ODI4) values over the years. Approximately two-thirds of the patients fulfilled the success criteria (ODI4 reduction of 50% and <20) after 15 years. A majority had improved/cured excessive daytime sleepiness (EDS) and were satisfied. No increased mortality rate was seen. Objectives: To evaluate sleep apnoea recordings and symptoms in patients with obstructive sleep apnoea syndrome 15 years after uvulopalatopharyngoplasty (UPPP) compared to baseline and previous follow-ups. Methods: This was a non-randomized, prospective intervention study on 50 patients who underwent UPPP during 1985–88. Their initial median age was 49 years (range 38–71) and ODI4 was 26.5 (4–82). Results: In all, 13 patients had died; 26 patients underwent sleep apnoea recordings. Median ODI4 had decreased from 26.5 (range 4–82) to 8.5 (0–60), p < 0.01, a mean reduction of 52%; 65% of patients achieved the success criteria. One-third was objectively categorized as non-snorers. Median body mass index was unchanged. The questionnaires were answered by 32 of 37 patients; 88% reported improved or cured EDS and 78% were satisfied. Pharyngeal disturbances ratings were low. The standardized mortality rate did not differ from the general Swedish population.

Weight reduction improves sleep, sleepiness and metabolic status in obese sleep apnoea patients

SUMMARY METHOD In this prospective intervention study, 33 obese patients with obstructive sleep apnoea syndrome (OSAS) (24 men, 9 women) were consecutively enrolled for a weight reduction program at the Obesity Unit, Karolinska University Hospital. 23 of 33 patients used OSAS-device, 19 with Continuous Positive Airway Pressure and 4 with Mandibular Retaining Device. The patients were investigated with questionnaires, blood tests and ambulant nocturnal polysomnography before and after a 6-month program. Patients with OSAS-device slept without it during the sleep studies. The intervention consisted of 8 weeks low calorie diet and group meetings, followed by a day-care program of behaviour change support. RESULTS 27 of 33 patients (82%, 21 men and 6 women) completed the study. After the intervention there were highly significant decreases (p < 0.001) in Body Mass Index from mean(S.D.) 40(5) to 34(3), apnoea-hypopnoea index from 43(24) to 26(20) and Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS)-score from 9(4) to 6(4). Sleep quality (arousal index, sleep efficiency, percentage deep sleep) and metabolic status (blood pressure, blood glucose levels, lipidemia) were also significantly improved. There was a significant correlation between increased percentage deep sleep and reduced ESS-score. There were no differences due to gender or use/no use of OSAS-device. CONCLUSION The results suggest that weight loss, induced by low calorie diet and behaviour change support, significantly improves nocturnal respiratory parameters, sleep quality, daytime sleepiness and metabolic status in obese OSAS patients after 6 months.

Adenotonsillotomy Versus Adenotonsillectomy in Pediatric Obstructive Sleep Apnea: An RCT

A randomized blinded trial concluding that ATT is noninferior to ATE, according to polysomnographic results, in pediatric OSA. BACKGROUND: Adenotonsillectomy (ATE) is a well-established and effective treatment of pediatric obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). In recent years, a more conservative method, adenotonsillotomy (ATT), has gained popularity because it is associated with less postoperative morbidity. Yet no previous randomized study has compared these 2 methods regarding their effectiveness in treating pediatric OSA in terms of polysomnographic data, which was the primary aim of this study. The hypothesis was that ATT is noninferior to ATE after 1 year. METHODS: Seventy-nine children, aged 2 to 6 years, with OSA (Apnea-Hypopnea Index [AHI] 5–30) were randomized to ATT (n = 40) or ATE (n = 39). Polysomnography (PSG) and questionnaire OSA-18 were assessed at baseline and 1 year postsurgery. RESULTS: Mean difference between groups in the primary outcome, change in AHI, was 0.83, 95% confidence interval –3.2 to 4.9, not exceeding the noninferiority margin of 5. After ATE, AHI decreased from median 12.7 (interquartile range 8.3–19.1) to 2.0 (1.2–3.1) and after ATT from 15.8 (8.5–21.2) to 4.0 (1.2–5.1). For both groups, significant improvements of PSG and OSA-18 questionnaire outcomes were observed, with no significant differences between groups. Five children (13%) in the ATT group needed repeated surgery for tonsil regrowth and recurrence of OSA. CONCLUSIONS: The results suggest that ATT is noninferior to ATE in treating pediatric OSA regarding PSG outcomes after 1 year. ATT could be considered an alternative to ATE for treatment of pediatric OSA. However, after ATT, there is a nonnegligible risk of recurrence of OSA, and this should be taken into account when selecting surgical method.

Tonsil surgery in Sweden 2013–2015. Indications, surgical methods and patient-reported outcomes from the National Tonsil Surgery Register

Abstract Aim: To describes how tonsil surgery was performed in Sweden from 2013 to 2015 with data from the National Tonsil Surgery Registry in Sweden (NTSRS). Method: The registry collects data from both professionals and patients through questionnaires. A total of 33,870 tonsil surgeries were analysed, comprising approximately 80% of all tonsil surgeries in Sweden from 2013 to 2015. Results: The two most common procedures were tonsillectomy (41%) and tonsillotomy with adenoidectomy (38%). Tonsillectomy was most commonly performed to treat frequent tonsillitis, while the main indication for tonsil surgery with combined adenoidectomy and for tonsillotomy alone was upper airway obstruction. The most commonly used techniques were cold steel (70%) for tonsillectomy/adenotonsillectomy and radiofrequency (79%) for tonsillotomy/adenotonsillotomy. Ninety-five percent of patients reported symptom relief after 180 d. Day surgery was utilised in 70% of the surgeries. The rate of readmission due to post-tonsillectomy haemorrhage was 5.1%. Male patients more often underwent tonsil surgery at preschool ages due to upper airway obstruction; in comparison, female patients to a larger extent underwent surgery in their early teens because of previous infections. Conclusions: The NTSRS provides an opportunity to survey tonsil surgery in Sweden and to launch and follow up improvement programmes as desired.