[Mandibular advancement devices for the treatment of adult sleep respiratory disorders].
BACKGROUND
Mandibular advancement devices are being shown to be increasingly useful in the treatment of adult respiratory sleep disorders. A prospective study was started in April 2008 to apply 40 devices free of charge, with the aim of assessing their usefulness in our patients.


METHODS
The device was applied to 40 patients with an apnoea-hypopnoea index of less than 40. All the cases snored, with 52.5% observed apnoeas and 47.5% diurnal sleepiness.


RESULTS
With a minimum follow-up of six months, the cases that snored decreased to 59%, most with a significantly lower intensity; 8.8% of cases had observed apnoeas and 14.7% mentioned diurnal sleepiness. There was an overall clinical improvement in 31 (91.2%) patients. The mean apnoea-hypopnoea index fell to 8.4+/-9.6 and polysomnographic improvement could be seen in 25 (75%) cases. An overall positive result, showing subjective as well as objective improvement, was obtained in 23 (69.7%) patients. Two patients stopped using the device in the first few days and another patient after six months. Complications were relatively common, but always slight. Compliance levels were satisfactory: a mean of 6.5+/-1.1 nights per week and 7.4+/-1.09 days per week.


CONCLUSIONS
Mandibular advancement devices are an effective therapeutic option for the treatment of respiratory sleep disorders. Compliance levels can be satisfactory if working with an expert odontology team.
Esteller-Moré
Eduard
E
Servicio de Otorrinolaringología, Hospital General de Catalunya, Sant Cugat del Vallès, Barcelona, España. esteller@abaforum.es
Moyano-Montero
Alex
A
Segarra-Isern
Francesc
F
Amorós-Baixauli
Francesc
F
Matiñó-Soler
Eusebi
E
Prades-Morera
Eduard
E
Ademà-Alcover
Joan Manel
JM
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D006801:Humans; D019186:Mandibular Advancement / Q000295:instrumentation*; D008875:Middle Aged; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012891:Sleep Apnea Syndromes / Q000628:therapy*; D055815:Young Adult