Conclusions: Different criteria for measuring AHI and defining success following OSA surgery can produce widely conflicting outcome data. Reported results following OSA surgery should be interpreted with this in mind. Using acceptable criteria, multilevel sleep surgery can be demonstrated to be of benefit to the majority of carefully selected patients. (Laryngoscope. 2012;122:1878-1881).
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December 2014Outcome Measurements in Obstructive Sleep Apnea: Beyond the Apnea-Hypopnea Index
ABSTRACT
Objectives/hypothesis: The apnea-hypopnea index (AHI) is overwhelmingly used as the main therapeutic metric in the assessment of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) in surgical studies. However, using AHI as the sole measure is problematic. This study investigates the utility of other outcome measures for patients with OSA undergoing surgery.
Study design: Systematic review of cohort and review studies.
Methods: A review was performed using the PubMed database. English articles focusing on outcome measures in adults with OSA were included. Studies in pediatric populations, those combining obstructing and central sleep apnea, and those without the use of outcome measures were excluded. Articles were categorized according to level of evidence. The Downs and Black scale and AMSTAR scale were used to assess quality.
Results: Of a total of 10,454 retrieved articles, 21 studies met inclusion and exclusion criteria. Most articles related to continuous positive airway pressure outcomes. Many categories of outcome measures were found: general quality of life, OSA-specific quality of life, measurements of sleepiness, performance, and physiological. Subjects with OSA scored differently in measurement tools in all categories compared to control populations or after treatment, and generally a poor correlation with AHI was seen.
Conclusions: The literature shows a range of tools based on symptoms and physiology of OSA that can assess effects of treatment. Assessment of surgical treatment for OSA should neither be limited to AHI as an outcome, nor should this be the only outcome stressed (Laryngoscope. 2014;124:337-343).
Changes in Obstructive Sleep Apnea Severity, Biomarkers, and Quality of Life After Multilevel Surgery
ABSTRACT
Objectives/hypothesis: To evaluate the impact of multilevel obstructive sleep apnea surgical treatment on sleep-disordered breathing severity, health-related measures, and quality of life, and to examine the association between changes in sleep-disordered breathing severity and these other outcomes.
Study design: Prospective cohort study.
Methods: Subjects with obstructive sleep apnea unable to tolerate positive airway pressure therapy and with evidence of multilevel (palate and hypopharynx) obstruction underwent uvulopalatopharyngoplasty, tonsillectomy, and genioglossus advancement, with or without hyoid suspension. All subjects had preoperative and postoperative study assessments, including blood draw for C-reactive protein, interleukin-6, homocysteine, homeostasis model of insulin resistance, and leptin, and evaluation with the Functional Outcomes of Sleep Questionnaire.