Predictive Factors for Efficacious Oral Appliance Therapy in Moderate to Severe Obstructive Sleep Apnea Patients

Abstract

Objectives/Hypothesis: Oral appliances (OAs) are a treatment for obstructive sleep apnea hypopnea syndrome (OSAHS). The main objective of the study was to determine the predictive factors of OA efficacy. The secondary objective was to measure the efficacy rates and determine OAs' tolerance and dropout.Study Design: Retrospective study. Methods: Efficacy results of the OAs based on the apnea hypopnea index (AHI) reduction, complications, and dropout rates were retrospectively collected from 347 patients with a moderate to severe OSAHS treated by a retention OA. The procedure was entirely performed by otolaryngologists.Results: The AHI with OA was more significantly reduced in patients with a higher initial AHI and a higher initial body mass index but reduction was not related to age and not proportional to the degree of mandibular advancement. The 50% AHI reduction rate after OA was 65.2%, the AHI ≤5/hr rate after OA was 26.1%, and the <50% AHI reduction and residual AHI > 10/hr rate was 50.1%. The OA significantly reduced the mean AHI (−14.9/hr, P < .0001). In 7.8% of patients, the AHI increased with OA. Seven patients (1.5%) experienced adverse effects. Thirty-seven (7.8%) patients stopped using OA mainly because of its ineffectiveness. Advancement can be considered beyond the initial maximal advancement. It can be effective sometimes; however, increasing advancement did not significantly reduce AHI.Conclusions: OA is an effective and well-tolerated treatment for moderate to severe OSAHS. This treatment was effective for reduction of the AHI ≥50% in two-thirds of cases studied and it should be considered in more cases.