OSA

Obstructive Sleep Apnoea: Patients’ Experiences Of Oral Appliance Treatment.

Nordin E, Stenberg M, Tegelberg A. Journal of Oral Rehabilitation 2016. doi: 10.1111/joor.12385.

Abstract

Over the past few decades, there has been a pronounced increase in the number of patients being treated by general dental practitioners for obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA). The purpose of this study was to survey the care and patient experiences and the self-reported effectiveness of OSA treatment with an oral appliance (OA) incorporating mandibular advancement. The design was a retrospective, cross-sectional study, with follow-up between 6 months to 1 year after commencement of treatment. A survey form was posted to 1150 subjects, identified in the regional register over a 1-year period as having been treated with an OA for OSA. The questionnaire comprised 70 questions and assertions in various domains, such as general health/lifestyle, changes in symptoms/quality of life and sleep-related experiences, daytime sleepiness, changes in life situation, evaluation of treatment and the value of treatment. The overall response rate was 64% (n = 738). Treatment with OA gave relief of symptoms in 83% of the respondents. Quality of life, somatic and cognitive symptoms improved significantly in patients who used the appliance frequently (P < 0·001). Daytime sleepiness decreased significantly (P < 0·001). Treatment satisfaction and willingness to recommend the similar treatment to a friend were high (>85%). OA treatment of OSA by general dental practitioners is a safe procedure. Most of the survey respondents experienced relief of symptoms. Those who used their appliance frequently reported improvement in quality of life, somatic and cognitive symptoms. Excessive daytime sleepiness was reduced in the majority of the patients under treatment.

A Systematic Review Of The Efficacy Of Oral Appliance Design In The Management Of Obstructive Sleep Apnoea

Ahrens A, McGrath C, Hagg U. European Journal of Orthodontics, 2011; 33:318-324

Abstract

Oral appliances (OAs) are increasingly advocated as a treatment option for obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA). However, it is unclear how their different design features influence treatment efficacy. The aim of this research was to systematically review the evidence on the efficacy of different OAs on polysomnographic indices of OSA. A MeSH and text word search were developed for Medline, Embase, Cinahl, and the Cochrane library. The initial search identified 1475 references, of which 116 related to studies comparing OAs with control appliances. Among those, 14 were randomized controlled trials (RCTs), which formed the basis of this review. The type of OA investigated in these trials was mandibular advancement devices (MADs), which were compared with either inactive appliances (six studies) or other types of MADs with different design features. Compared with inactive appliances, all MADs improved polysomnographic indices, suggesting that mandibular advancement is a crucial design feature of OA therapy for OSA. The evidence shows that there is no one MAD design that most effectively improves polysomnographic indices, but that efficacy depends on a number of factors including severity of OSA, materials and method of fabrication, type of MAD (monobloc/twin block), and the degree of protrusion (sagittal and vertical). These findings highlight the absence of a universal definition of treatment success. Future trials of MAD designs need to be assessed according to agreed success criteria in order to guide clinical practice as to which design of OAs may be the most effective in the treatment of OSA.

Sleep Apnea Symptoms And Risk Of Temporomandibular Disorder: OPPERA Cohort

Sanders AE, Essick GK, Fillingim R, et al. Journal of Dental Research, 2013; 92:70S-77S

Abstract:

The authors tested the hypothesis that obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) signs/symptoms are associated with the occurrence of temporomandibular disorder (TMD), using the OPPERA prospective cohort study of adults aged 18 to 44 years at enrollment (n = 2,604) and the OPPERA case-control study of chronic TMD (n = 1,716). In both the OPPERA cohort and case-control studies, TMD was examiner determined according to established research diagnostic criteria. People were considered to have high likelihood of OSA if they reported a history of sleep apnea or >/= 2 hallmarks of OSA: loud snoring, daytime sleepiness, witnessed apnea, and hypertension. Cox proportional hazards regression estimated hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% confidence limits (CL) for first-onset TMD. Logistic regression estimated odds ratios (OR) and 95% CL for chronic TMD. In the cohort, 248 individuals developed first-onset TMD during the median 2.8-year follow-up. High likelihood of OSA was associated with greater incidence of first-onset TMD (adjusted HR = 1.73; 95% CL, 1.14, 2.62). In the case-control study, high likelihood of OSA was associated with higher odds of chronic TMD (adjusted OR = 3.63; 95% CL, 2.03, 6.52). Both studies supported a significant association of OSA symptoms and TMD, with prospective cohort evidence finding that OSA symptoms preceded first-onset TMD.