title: Studying Life Effects & Effectiveness of Palatopharyngoplasty (SLEEP) study: subjective outcomes of isolated uvulopalatopharyngoplasty.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To test the hypothesis that uvulopalatopharyngoplasty (UPPP) improves sleep apnea-related quality of life (measured on the Functional Outcomes of Sleep Questionnaire [FOSQ]) at 3-month follow-up. Secondary objectives were to test (1) the stability of the outcomes at 6 months, (2) the effect on global sleep apnea quality-of-life change, and (3) the effect on sleep apnea symptoms.
  
  
  METHODS
  Multicenter, prospective, longitudinal case series.
  
  
  METHODS
  Diverse university- and community-based otolaryngology practices.
  
  
  METHODS
  The cohort included 68 patients from 17 practices, with a mean ± standard deviation age of 44 ± 12 years and mean apnea-hypopnea index of 35 ± 32 events/hour. All patients underwent UPPP, defined as an open procedure modifying the shape and size of the palate, pharynx, and uvula, with or without tonsillectomy. Baseline data were collected on site before surgery, and outcome data were collected by mail 3 and 6 months after surgery, with follow-up rates of 51% and 50%, respectively.
  
  
  RESULTS
  FOSQ scores improved from 14.3 ± 3.4 (scale 5-20, normal ≥17.9) at baseline to 17.2 ± 2.7 at 3 months (mean improvement 2.9; 95% confidence interval, 1.8-4.0; P < .001) and 17.5 ± 2.5 at 6 months (mean improvement 3.1; 95% confidence interval, 2.0-4.2; P < .001). All quality-of-life and symptom measures improved significantly at 3 and 6 months (all P < .05).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This prospective, multicenter, university- and community-based study provides evidence that UPPP significantly improves disease-specific quality of life and sleep apnea symptoms in patients with sleep apnea. Validity may be limited by significant loss to follow-up and absence of an unoperated control group.
authors.affiliation: Department of Otolaryngology/Head & Neck Surgery, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington 98108, USA. eweaver@uw.edu
authors.forename: Edward M
authors.initials: EM
authors.lastname: Weaver
authors.forename: B Tucker
authors.initials: BT
authors.lastname: Woodson
authors.forename: Bevan
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Yueh
authors.forename: Timothy
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Smith
authors.forename: Michael G
authors.initials: MG
authors.lastname: Stewart
authors.forename: Maureen
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Hannley
authors.forename: Kristine
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Schulz
authors.forename: Milesh M
authors.initials: MM
authors.lastname: Patel
authors.forename: David
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Witsell
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D013517:Otorhinolaryngologic Surgical Procedures; D010160:Palate, Soft / Q000601:surgery*; D010614:Pharynx / Q000601:surgery*; D011788:Quality of Life; D020181:Sleep Apnea, Obstructive / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014609:Uvula / Q000601:surgery*; D055815:Young Adult