Conclusions
OSAS is the most common and best-recognized form of SRBD. Effective treatment is available with CPAP being the treatment of choice, once the essential nonspecific measures of excluding endocrine and other treatable causes, including weight loss and avoiding sedative agents have been undertaken. The expense of CPAP apparatus and the need to use this for prolonged period may prompt some patients to evaluate other sub-optimal options. Surgical treatment will continue to be a gamble or a treatment of last resort. Whatever plan is developed, it is important that the patient be reassessed after six months and then by annual PSGs.
The potential population of snorer / apneic patients is so wide and the cost of the proper care so high that the field is ripe for abuses. The confusion between symptoms of snoring and the incidence of SRBD has compounded this proliferation. Cut-rate care that cuts corners is often more expensive in the long run. Interested readers should be aware of the potential inappropriate applications of surgical treatment, especially LAUP, and be alerted to the best medical interests of their patients.
References
Young T, Palta M, Dempsey J et al (1993): The occurrence of sleep-disordered breathing among middle-aged adults. N Engl J Med; 328 : 1230–35.
George CF, Nickerson PW, Hanly PG et al. (1987): Sleep apnea patients have more automobile accidents. Lancet; ii (8556) : 447.
Carlson JT, Hedner JA, Ejnell H et al. (1994): High prevalence of hypertension in sleep apnea patients independent of obesity. Am. Respir Cril Care Med; 150 : 72–77.
Viner S, Szalai JP, Joffstein V. (1991): Are history and physical examination a good screening test for sleep apnea. Ann Intern Med; 115 : 2414–18.
Pepin JL, Ferretti G, Veale D et al. (1991): Somnofluoroscopy, computed tomography and cephalometry in the assessment of the airway in obstructive sleep apnea. Thorax; 47 : 150–6.
Farney PJ, Walker LE, Jensen RL et al. (1986): Ear oximetry to detect apnea and differentiate rapid eye movement and non-rapid eye movement sleep. Chest; 89 : 533–39.
Fletcher EC, Munafo DA. (1990): Role of nocturnal oxygen therapy in obstructive sleep apnea. Chest; 98: 1497–1504.
Schmidt-Nowara W, Lowe A, Wiegand L et al. (1995): An American Sleep Disorders Association review : Oral appliances for the treatment of snoring and obstructive sleep apnea. Sleep; 18 (6) : 501–510.
He J, Kyger MH, Zorick FJ et al. (1988): Mortalitv and apnea index in obstructive sleep apnea. Chest; 94 : 531–38.
Sher A, Schectmen K, Piccirillo J. (1996): An American Sleep Disorders Association review : the efficacy of surgical modifications of the upper airway in adults with obstructive sleep apnea syndrome. Sleep; 19 : 156–77
An American Sleep Disorders Association Report: Practice Parameters for the use of Laser-assisted Uvulopalatoplasty. (1994): Sleep; 17 (8) : 744–48.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Jain, S.N. A wake up call for sleep disordered breathing. IJO & HNS 51, 6–9 (1999). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02996835
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02996835