Mandibular Device for Sleep Apnea

Main Category: Sleep / Sleep Disorders / Insomnia
Article Date: 23 May 2004 - 0:00 PDT

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A team of Swedish researchers evaluated tolerability and identified predictors of treatment success for an individually adjusted, one-piece mandibular advancement device in patients with snoring and obstructive sleep apnea.

The device holds the jaw in a forward position to keep the airway from closing, allowing patients to breathe easier during sleep. The study examined the effectiveness of the device by following 630 patients who were receiving treatment for sleep apnea and snoring from February 1989 to August 2000. Patients with an apnea-hypopnea index of >=10 in the supine and/or lateral position were considered to have obstructive sleep apnea.

A lateral apnea-hypopnea index of <10, together with a supine apnea-hypopnea index of >=10, were defined as having supine-dependent sleep apneas.

According to the researchers, the mandibular advancement device is recommended for women with sleep apnea, for men with supine-dependent sleep apneas, and for snorers without sleep apnea. Men who gained weight during the treatment reduced their chance of treatment success. The researchers recommend that these patients be followed up with a new sleep apnea recording with the device. The study team also noted that 24% of the patients discontinued use of the device.

REFERENCE LINKS:
The study was published in the April 2004 issue of Chest and an abstract is available at http://www.chestjournal.org/cgi/content/abstract/125/4/1270

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