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The relationship of the uvula with snoring and obstructive sleep apnea: a systematic review

  • Sleep Breathing Physiology and Disorders • Review
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Abstract

Currently, the relationship between uvula size and sleep-disordered breathing (snoring and obstructive sleep apnea) lacks data for objective interpretation. This study conducted a systematic review of the international literature for research describing the measurable characteristics of the uvula (i.e., size, length, width) and any association with snoring and obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). PubMED, Scopus, Google Scholar, Embase, and the Cochrane Library were each systematically searched from inception through November 15, 2016. We screened 1037 titles and abstracts. We conducted a full review of 54 downloaded articles. Sixteen articles met inclusion and exclusion criteria. The 16 studies included a total of 2604 patients. The selected articles included data and information for (1) normative data for uvular size in the control groups, (2) snoring and uvula size, (3) OSA and uvula size, and (4) overall uvula function. Our review noted variability in findings; however, in general, a uvular length > 15 mm was considered elongated and a uvular width > 10 mm was considered to be wide. The studies included in this systematic review reveal a relationship between uvula size, snoring, and OSA. Further, larger uvulas appear associated with more severe snoring and OSA. The direct correlation between uvula size and its relationship specifically to snoring and OSA remain as topics for future prospective research.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Surgery, Division of Otolaryngology, Tripler Army Medical Center, 1 Jarrett White Road, Honolulu, HI, 96859, USA

    Edward T. Chang & Macario Camacho

  2. Department of Otolaryngology–Head and Neck Surgery, Walter Reed National Military Medical Center, 8901 Rockville Pike, Bethesda, MD, 20889, USA

    Grace Baik & Scott E. Brietzke

  3. Department of Otolaryngology–Head and Neck Surgery, University of Miami, Miller School of Medicine, 1120 NW 14th Street, 5th Floor, Miami, FL, 33136, USA

    Carlos Torre

Authors
  1. Edward T. Chang
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  2. Grace Baik
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  3. Carlos Torre
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  4. Scott E. Brietzke
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  5. Macario Camacho
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Correspondence to Edward T. Chang.

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Conflict of interest

All authors certify that they have no affiliations with or involvement in any organization or entity with any financial interest (such as honoraria; educational grants; participation in speakers’ bureaus; membership, employment, consultancies, stock ownership, or other equity interest; and expert testimony or patent-licensing arrangements), or non-financial interest (such as personal or professional relationships, affiliations, knowledge, or beliefs) in the subject matter or materials discussed in this manuscript.

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All procedures performed in studies involving human participants were in accordance with the ethical standards of the institutional and/or national research committee and with the 1964 Helsinki declaration and its later amendments or comparable ethical standards.

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Informed consent was obtained from all individual participants included in the study.

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Chang, E.T., Baik, G., Torre, C. et al. The relationship of the uvula with snoring and obstructive sleep apnea: a systematic review. Sleep Breath 22, 955–961 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11325-018-1651-5

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11325-018-1651-5

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