Mandibular advancement splint as short-term alternative treatment in patients with obstructive sleep apnea already effectively treated with continuous positive airway pressure.

ABSTRACT:

Study objectives

CPAP is used as the first-line treatment for patients with severe OSA, but this machine is not always feasible to use on the long term. We performed a clinical trial to determine whether patients with OSA could use a mandibular advancement splint (MAS) as a short-term treatment alternative to CPAP.

Methods

Twenty-two patients adherent with CPAP therapy were recruited to the study. Each patient used the MAS for approximately 4 months. The transition between CPAP to MAS was gradual, and patients were asked to start using MAS together with CPAP during the MAS titration until subjective improvement or maximum mandibular advancement was achieved. Sleepiness (ESS), quality of life (SAQLI), and polysomnography were recorded prior to and after MAS titration. Patient

SUBMITTER: Almeida FR 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3601308 | biostudies-literature | 2013 Apr

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature