Allergic Rhinitis does not Constitute a Risk Factor for Obstructive Sleep Apnea Syndrome

Obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS) is a condition characterized by recurrent episodes of obstruction of the upper airway. The aim of this study was to evaluate whether nasal obstruction due to allergic rhinitis constitutes a risk factor for OSAS. Patients (n = 119) presenting typical symptoms of sleep apnea were tested for OSAS using polysomnography. Additionally all patients were tested in vivo and in vitro (including nasal eosinophilic cationic protein) for allergic rhinitis. Examination for allergic rhinitis revealed that 88.3% of all patients had no allergic rhinitis, whereas only 11.7% were diagnosed as allergic. No significant differences in sleeping parameters were observed between allergic and non-allergic patients. Comparison of parameters indicative of relevant OSAS (apnea-hypopnea index [AHI] > 10) revealed that 60% of non-allergic patients had relevant OSAS, compared to only 50% of allergic patients. Investigation of allergic subgroups revealed similar results: no significant differences in sleeping parameters or elevated rates of relevant OSAS parameters were observed, especially in perennial allergic rhinitis due to house dust mites. No elevated rates of allergic rhinitis were observed in the studied cohort of patients suffering from sleep apnea or OSAS. Furthermore, no significant differences in sleeping behavior or polysomnography parameters were found on comparing allergic and non-allergic patients. In summary, our data rule out allergic rhinitis as a major risk factor for OSAS.     

Effect of Chronic Rhinosinusitis With or Without Nasal Polyp on Quality of Life in South Korea: 5th Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey Korean

ObjectivesThis is the first study of its kind to investigate the relationship between chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) with or without nasal polyps (NP) and health-related quality of life (HRQoL) in the general adult Korean population. We sought to evaluate the association after adjustment for confounding factors. We also evaluated HRQoL according to presence of NP in CRS patients.MethodsIn this cross-sectional study we used nationally representative samples from the 5th Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (2010–2012). A total of 17,490 participants were included in the study, of which 613 were diagnosed with CRS. Univariate analysis was conducted on healthy versus CRS groups, segregated by gender with weighted prevalence of demographic characteristics, socioeconomic status, and comorbid diseases. Subanalysis was carried out to evaluate the relationship between CRS with or without NP and HRQoL using EuroQol 5-dimension (EQ-5D) and visual analog scale (EQ-VAS). The odds ratios for EQ-5D were estimated by multiple logistic regression analyses with confounder adjustment.ResultsWeighted prevalence of CRS of adult male was found to be 3.7% and CRS with nasal polyps (CRSwNP) 0.5%, while female CRS was 3.3% and CRSwNP 0.3%. There was no significant difference between the groups (P#x0003d;0.332). The scores for female, EQ-5D index (P for trend<0.001) and EQ-VAS (P for trend=0.002) showed decreasing trend from healthy participants to CRS without nasal polyps (CRSsNP) and from CRSsNp to CRSwNP. After adjusting for demographic characteristics, socioeconomic status, and comorbid diseases, EQ-5D scores; EQ-5D index (P<0.001) and EQ-VAS (P<0.001) exhibited poorer HRQoL compared to healthy participants, exclusively within the female group.ConclusionThese data suggest that female patients with CRS are at higher risk of poor HRQoL. In addition, HRQoL of female CRSwNP was lower compared to those of CRSsNP and healthy participants.     

慢性鼻-鼻窦炎鼻息肉组织及外周血嗜酸细胞与临床表现的关系

目的 探讨慢性鼻-鼻窦炎伴鼻息肉(chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps,CRSwNP)患者组织及外周血中嗜酸细胞(eosinophils,Eos)计数的相关性,并研究Eos与鼻窦影像学表现及术后复发的关系.方法 回顾性分析102例确诊为CRSwNP患者的临床资料,对鼻息肉组织进行Eos计数,比较其与外周血Eos的相关性.根据术后1年随访结果,比较复发组与非复发组之间的组织及外周血Eos计数、鼻窦CT Lund-Mackay评分的统计学差异.结果 复发组外周血Eos计数、外周血Eos百分数以及鼻息肉组织Eos计数显著高于非复发组(P=0.032、0.033、0.017),两组的鼻窦CT评分无统计学差异(P=0.089).鼻息肉组织Eos计数与外周血Eos绝对值具有显著相关性(r=0.637,P=0.000);鼻息肉组织Eos计数与外周血Eos百分比也具有显著相关性(r=0.542,P=0.000);外周血Eos计数、Eos百分数、鼻息肉组织Eos计数与术前鼻窦CT评分无显著相关性(P=0.072、0.065、0.695).结论 外周血及鼻息肉组织Eos计数具有显著相关性,并且鼻息肉组织及外周血Eos计数与鼻息肉术后复发相关.     

Long-term Subjective and Objective Outcomes of Adenotonsillectomy in Korean Children With Obstructive Sleep Apnea Syndrome

Objectives

Adenotonsillar hypertrophy is the most common etiology in pediatric obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS), and adenotonsillectomy is the mainstay of treatment modalities. This study evaluates the long-term effectiveness of adenotonsillectomy in children with OSAS.

Methods

Subjective symptoms evaluated with a 7-point Likert scale and objective respiratory disturbances evaluated by polysomnography were compared before and after adenotonsillectomy.

Results

A total of 17 children with OSAS aged 4-15 years (mean age, 6.65±3.02 years; male:female, 13:4) completed the study. The mean follow-up period was 57 months (range, 30 to 98 months). Significant changes were found in apnea-hypopnea index (from 12.49±12.96 to 1.96±2.01, P<0.001), apnea index (from 5.64±7.57 to 0.53±0.78, P=0.006), minimum SaO₂ (from 81.88±14.36 to 92.76±4.31, P=0.003), snoring (from 43.28±70.63 to 10.70±13.72, P=0.042), and arousal index (from 19.58±7.57 to 11.36±3.99, P=0.006) after adenotonsillectomy. Significant changes were also found after surgery in most of symptoms including snoring, witnessed apnea, morning headache, mouth breathing, gasping during sleep, restless sleep, nasal obstruction, and difficulty with morning arousal. Long-term surgical cure rate and response rate were 47.1% (8/17) and 70.6% (12/17), respectively.

Conclusion

Most of subjective OSAS symptoms and objective respiratory disturbances improved continuously about 5 years after adenotonsillectomy in children with OSAS. However, close follow-up and a sufficient observation period are necessary because of the risk for long-term incomplete resolution.     

Categorization and Clinicopathological Features of Chronic Rhinosinusitis With Eosinophilic Mucin in a Korean Population

ObjectivesChronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) with eosinophilic mucin is relatively rare in Korea. We categorized CRS patients with characteristic eosinophilic mucin into several groups and compared the groups based on their clinicopathological features.MethodsIn total, 52 CRS patients with eosinophilic mucin were enrolled. Based on the presence or absence of an allergy (A) to a fungus or fungal element (F) in the mucin, the patients were divided into four groups: allergic fungal rhinosinusitis (AFRS, A+F+), AFRS-like sinusitis (A+F-), eosinophilic fungal rhinosinusitis (EFRS, A-F+), and eosinophilic mucin rhinosinusitis (EMRS, A-F-). Clinical and immunological variables were compared between the groups.ResultsThere were 13 patients in the AFRS group, 13 in the EFRS group, and 26 in the EMRS group. No patient was assigned to the AFRS-like sinusitis group. The AFRS group showed a significantly higher association with allergic rhinitis than did the EFRS and EMRS groups. The mean total serum IgE level in the AFRS patients was significantly higher than in the EFRS and EMRS patients. While 7.7% of the patients with AFRS and EFRS were asthmatic, 65.4% of the patients with EMRS had bronchial asthma. In the AFRS and EFRS groups, 31% had bilateral disease, in contrast to 100% of EMRS patients with bilateral disease. The prevalence of high attenuation areas by computed tomography was significantly higher in the AFRS group than in the EMRS group, and the mean Hounsfield unit values of the areas of high attenuation in the AFRS patients were significantly greater than those in the EMRS patients.ConclusionAFRS is believed to be an allergic response to colonizing fungi in atopic individuals. In EFRS, local allergies to fungi may play a role in the pathogenesis of the disease. EMRS is thought to be unconnected with fungal allergies.     

Relationship Between Snoring Intensity and Severity of Obstructive Sleep Apnea

Objectives

The aim of this study was to determine the relationship between the intensity of snoring and severity of sleep apnea using Watch-PAT (peripheral arterial tone) 100.

Methods

A total of 404 patients (338 males and 66 females) who underwent home-based portable sleep study using Watch-PAT 100 for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) from January 2009 through December 2011 were included in this study. Subjects were divided into 4 groups; no OSA (PAT apnea hypopnea index [pAHI]<5/hour), mild OSA (5≤pAHI<15/hour), moderate OSA (15≤pAHI<30/hour), or severe OSA groups (pAHI≥30/hour). Mean snoring intensity and percent sleep time with snoring intensity greater than 40, 50, and 60 dB were measured by Watch-PAT 100. Correlations of these parameters with apnea hypopnea index (AHI), respiratory disturbance index (RDI), and oxygen desaturation index were assessed.

Results

The mean age and body mass index were 46.5±14.8 years and 24.7±3.4 kg/m², respectively. Mean AHI and RDI were 16.5±15.3/hour and 20.8±14.3/hour, respectively. The mean snoring intensity in the no, mild, moderate, and severe OSA groups was 44.0±2.7, 45.4±6.0, 47.7±5.0, and 50.5±5.6 dB, respectively (P<0.001). There was a positive correlation between snoring intensity and pAHI or PAT RDI (pRDI) (r=0.391 and r=0.385, respectively, both P<0.001). There was also a positive correlation between percent sleep time with the snoring intensity greater than 50 dB and pAHI or pRDI (r=0.423 and r=0.411, respectively, both P<0.001).

Conclusion

This study revealed that the intensity of snoring increased with the severity of sleep apnea, which suggests that the loudness of snoring might be an indicator of the severity of OSA.     

The Emerging Role of Drug-Induced Sleep Endoscopy in the Management of Obstructive Sleep Apnea

Obstructive sleep apnea is a prevalent sleep disorder characterized by partial or complete obstruction of the upper airway. Continuous positive airway pressure is the first-line therapy for most patients, but adherence is often poor. Alternative treatment options such as mandibular advancement devices, positional therapy, and surgical interventions including upper airway stimulation target different levels and patterns of obstruction with varying degrees of success. Drug-induced sleep endoscopy enables the visualization of upper airway obstruction under conditions mimicking sleep. In the era of precision medicine, this additional information may facilitate better decision-making when prescribing alternative treatment modalities, with the hope of achieving better adherence and/or success rates. This review discusses the current knowledge and evidence on the role of drug-induced sleep endoscopy in the non-positive airway pressure management of obstructive sleep apnea.     

The Impact of National Health Insurance Coverage on Compliance With Positive Airway Pressure Therapy in Patients With Obstructive Sleep Apnea

Objectives. Compliance with positive airway pressure (PAP) in patients with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) directly affects its treatment efficacy. Since July 2018, polysomnography and PAP therapy have been covered by the National Health Insurance (NHI), which has reduced the price barrier and promoted PAP therapy in Korea. This study aimed to compare changes in PAP compliance before and after NHI implementation.Methods. This study is a retrospective analysis in a tertiary hospital setting in Korea. From 2011 to 2019, patients with OSA (apnea-hypopnea index ≥5) treated using a PAP device for ≥1 month were included. They were classified as belonging to the pre-insurance (PI) group (having started PAP before July 2018) or the NHI group (having received a PAP reimbursement by the NHI service). We collected and analyzed medical records and PAP use information for between-group comparisons of compliance. We defined compliance as the percentage of usage days, the percentage of days with usage for ≥4 night hours, and average daily usage hours.Results. We included 146 and 100 patients in the PI and NHI groups, respectively. Automatic PAP mode and NHI were independent predictors of compliance B at the 3- and 9-month follow-up points. The NHI group showed significantly higher compliance A at 3, but not 9 months. For compliance B, the NHI group showed significantly higher compliance than the PI group at 1 month and 3 months, but not at 9 months. Compared with the PI group, the NHI group showed significantly higher compliance C only at 3 months.Conclusion. The NHI has positively affected PAP therapy in patients with OSA. Insurance policy may affect compliance within the first 3 months of PAP therapy.     

慢性鼻-鼻窦炎对中耳功能的影响

目的探讨慢性鼻-鼻窦炎对中耳功能的影响。方法前瞻性研究218例慢性鼻窦炎和慢性肥厚性鼻炎患者的中耳功能,中耳功能异常的患者经鼻内镜鼻腔、鼻窦手术后复查鼓室导抗图和纯音测听。结果218例患者中28例(36耳)中耳功能异常,慢性鼻窦炎Ⅲ型患者中耳功能异常发生率显著高于慢性鼻窦炎Ⅰ型和慢性肥厚性鼻炎患者(P<0.05,P<0.01),慢性鼻窦炎Ⅱ型患者中耳功能异常发生率显著高于慢性肥厚性鼻炎患者(P<0.05)。经鼻内镜鼻腔、鼻窦手术后随访6.5月,36耳中治愈19耳,好转15耳,无效2耳。结论慢性鼻-鼻窦炎可能影响中耳功能,治疗慢性鼻-鼻窦炎有利于中耳功能恢复。     

First Successful Mechanical Splint for Obstructive Sleep Apnea With an Orally Administrable Pharyngeal Stenting Device

We report the case of obstructive sleep apnea in a 19‐year‐old, otherwise healthy male presenting with persistent daytime sleepiness and nonrestorative sleep after velo‐ and uvuloplasty. An individually tailored prototype of an orally inserted pharyngeal stenting device was proposed in the framework of a first clinical feasibility trial. The noninvasive, easily self‐administered device is mounted on a simple inferior dental guard. Baseline total apnea‐hypopnea index (AHI) was 15.5 and 24.4 per hour of rapid eye movement (REM) sleep. With the device, total AHI dropped to 6.7 per hour (56.8% reduction) and 1.4 per hour of REM (94.3% reduction). Recorded sleep efficiency during treatment was excellent at 96.5%. Laryngoscope, 129:1945–1948, 2019     

A Prospective Study of the Surgical Outcome of Simple Uvulopalatopharyngoplasty (UPPP), UPPP Combined With Genioglossus Advancement or Tongue Base Advancement for Obstructive Sleep Apnea Hypopnea Syndrome Patients With Multilevel Obstruction

ObjectivesTo investigate the surgical outcomes of different uvulopalatopharyngoplasty (UPPP).Methods All subjects underwent overnight polysomnography and were evaluated using the Epworth sleepiness scale (ESS), the Quebec sleep questionnaire and the snoring scale at the baseline and 3 and 12 months following operation. The primary endpoint was the overall effective rate representing the sum of the surgical success rate and effective rate.ResultsThe overall effective rate at 12 months post surgery was 55.6% for simple UPPP, 95.8% for UPPP+GA, and 92.3% for UPPP+TBA. The surgical success rate at 3 and 12 months postoperation for UPPP+GA or UPPP+TBA was significantly higher than simple UPPP (P<0.05). Marked improvement was observed in all patients in the snoring scale score and the ESS score 3 and 12 months following surgery compared to the baseline (P<0.05 in all).ConclusionUPPP, UPPP+GA, and UPPP+TBA are all effective in improving the surgical outcome of obstructive sleep apnea hypopnea syndrome (OSAHS) patients with multilevel obstruction. UPPP+TBA appears to be the most effective in treating OSAHS patients.     

Therapeutic Effect of Multilevel Surgery on Laryngopharyngeal Reflux in Obstructive Sleep Apnea Patients: Impact on the Reflux Symptom Index and Reflux Finding Score

Objectives.Our previous study found that multilevel obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) surgery mitigated laryngopharyngeal reflux (LPR) symptoms in terms of the reflux symptom index (RSI), but no studies have investigated the impact of OSA surgery on laryngoscopic parameters. The aim of this study was to examine the clinical outcome of LPR improvement following OSA surgery, with a focus on both the RSI and the reflux finding score (RFS).Methods.Prospectively collected data from 28 patients who underwent multilevel OSA surgery from 2017 to 2021 were retrospectively analyzed. Patients were asked to complete the RSI questionnaire and underwent a laryngoscopic examination to evaluate the RFS before and after surgery. Age, height, weight, body mass index (BMI), and polysomnography data before and after surgery were also reviewed.Results.After surgery, the total RSI and RFS decreased significantly from 11.96±8.40 to 7.68±6.82 (P=0.003) and from 6.57±3.49 to 3.21±1.87 (P<0.001). The positive rates of RSI and RFS decreased from 28.6% to 17.9% and 32.1% to 0%, respectively. Significant improvements were found in the RSI subdomains of throat clearing, throat mucus, breathing difficulty, troublesome cough, and heartburn sensation, while all RFS subdomains except granuloma improved significantly. In subgroup analyses, no significant differences were found between subgroups based on age, OSA severity, or BMI.Conclusion.OSA surgery has the potential to alleviate both LPR symptoms and laryngoscopic results. Additional research integrating more objective techniques and novel treatment strategies is required to better comprehend the clinical impact of OSA surgery on LPR.     

变应性气道疾病对嗜酸性鼻息肉炎性亚型界定的影响

目的　探讨不同炎性亚型慢性鼻-鼻窦炎伴鼻息肉（chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps,CRSwNP）患者临床和组织病理学特点及其发病机制,初步探究外周血嗜酸性粒细胞（eosinophils,Eos）比例在分类中的作用,进而探究合并症（变应性鼻炎、支气管哮喘）对鼻息肉炎性亚型界定的影响。方法　回顾性分析182例确诊为 CRSwNP患者的临床资料。根据术后鼻息肉组织病理检测结果,分为Eos浸润组（ECRSwNP）与非Eos浸润组（non-ECRSwNP）。对两组患者血Eos百分比、血中性粒细胞百分比、血清总IgE、鼻窦CT Lund-Mackay评分及鼻内镜手术翻修率分别进行统计学分析,比较两组的差异;将血清总IgE、血Eos百分比、鼻息肉Eos浸润程度及鼻窦CT评分之间进行相关性分析;采用ROC曲线方法计算曲线下面积及ECRSwNP的诊断截断值;将研究对象按照不同合并症构成进行分组,分析不同合并症时ECRSwNP的诊断截断值变化情况。以SPSS 17.0软件进行数据统计分析。结果  ECRSwNP具有较高的鼻内镜手术翻修率及变应性鼻炎和支气管哮喘合并率,两组差异具有统计学意义（P <0.05）;两种炎性亚型的鼻息肉患者鼻窦CT评分、血Eos百分比及血总IgE之间差异具有统计学意义（U 分别为1028.00、1143.50、800.00,P 均<0.05）,两组之间血中性粒细胞百分比差异不具有统计学意义（U =2155.50,P =0.232）;血Eos百分比和组织Eos浸润程度之间及鼻窦CT评分与二者之间存 在显著相关性（r =0.538、0.568、0.419,P 均<0.05）,其他指标之间相关性无统计学意义。同时合并变应性鼻炎和支气管哮喘可显著增高血Eos百分比,相比无合并症及仅合并变应性鼻炎差异具有统计学意义（U分别为541.50、689.00,P均<0.05）,其他情况差异不具有统计学意义。不同合并症时ECRSwNP血Eos百分比截断值范围是3.05%～4.8%。结论　ECRSwNP及non-ECRSwNP具有不同的临床及组织病理学特点。合并变应性疾病可增高鼻息肉血Eos百分比,并影响以血Eos百分比为诊断指标的鼻息肉炎性亚型的界定。     

Five-Year Subjective Outcomes of Obstructive Sleep Apnea Surgery: A Multiinstitutional Study

Objectives

To evaluate the effect of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) surgery on long-term (5-year) subjective outcomes, including sleep disordered breathing (SDB) symptoms and other complications, in patients with OSA.

Methods

We enrolled patients who underwent diagnostic polysomnography for OSA between January 2006 and December 2006 in ten hospitals. Patients either were treated for OSA or were not treated for OSA. All patients completed a brief telephone survey regarding their SDB signs and symptoms (e.g., snoring, apnea, nocturnal arousals, and daytime sleepiness), positive airway pressure (PAP) compliance, and any adverse effects of either the surgery or PAP. A positive subjective outcome for either surgery or no treatment was taken to be the alleviation of apnea, defined as a ≥50% increase in score. A positive subjective outcome (compliance) for PAP was defined as a PAP usage of ≥4 hours per night and ≥5 days per week.

Results

A total of 229 patients were included in this study. Patients were divided into three groups: a surgery group (n=87), a PAP group (n=68), and a control (untreated) group (n=74). The surgery group exhibited significant improvement in all SDB symptoms compared with the control group. The long-term subjective outcomes of the surgery (52.9%) and PAP (54.4%) groups were significantly better than those of the control group (25.0%). The subjective outcome of the surgery group was not significantly different from that of the PAP group. The overall surgical complication rate was 23.0% (20 of 87) in the surgery group, and 55.0% (22 of 40) of all patients with PAP experienced adverse effects.

Conclusion

The extent of SDB symptoms was consistently improved in patients with OSA at 5 years postsurgery. Information about the potential long-term subjective outcomes should be provided to patients when considering surgery.     

Cosmetic Enhancement Associated With Surgery for Obstructive Sleep Apnea

Objective: To document the capacity of surgery for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) to incorporate techniques that incidentally improve the cosmetic features of the patients. Study Design: Retrospective analysis of surgical outcomes at an academic practice. Methods: Moderate to severe OSA usually requires multilevel pharyngeal surgery, including tongue base surgery. The surgical procedures, including hyoid myotomy and mandibular osteotomy with tongue advancement, afford the opportunity to address cosmetic deficits, such as microgenia and excessive submental skin and fat. Outcomes achieved using these procedures over a 4-year period were analyzed. Results: Of 428 consecutive patients presenting for evaluation of sleep-related breathing disorders, 212 were deemed surgical candidates. Ninety-seven of these had office-based procedures for snoring, upper airway resistance syndrome, or mild OSA. The remaining 115 had formal surgical procedures done, and 68 of these had multilevel pharyngeal surgery. Of these, 12 had defined cosmetic deficiencies that were addressed at the time of the sleep apnea surgery. There were 7 men and 5 women, with a mean age of 48.2 years. The group was moderately obese (mean BMI = 31.8) and had moderate to severe OSA (mean RDI = 37.0, mean LSAT = 78%). Cosmetic deficits identified included turkey gobbler deformity (n = 8), microgenia (n = 6), excessive submental fat (n = 2), and nasal deformity (n = 1); several patients had more than one addressable problem. All patients achieved an improved postoperative appearance. Representative photographs are presented. Conclusions: A surgical approach to the management of sleep apnea affords an opportunity to also address cosmetic deficiencies, including excessive submental skin and fat, microgenia, and nasal deformities.