title: Treatment of sleep apnoea using a mandibular advancement splint--an open prospective study.
abstract: Obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA) may cause considerable disturbances, including the development of health problems. This study was performed in order to evaluate the results of treating OAS with a mandibular advancement splint (MAS), and to evaluate the effects of this treatment. This was a prospective open longitudinal study. Ninety patients were randomly selected and included in the study. All 90 patients received an MAS. Forty-eight patients concluded the study, whereas 27 dropped-out and 15 were excluded. The sleep pattern was monitored at home with portable equipment. There was a clear tendency towards a reduction in the apnoea/hypopnea index (AHI) and the oxygen desaturation index (ODI) between the two investigations. Furthermore, there was a tendency towards reduced sleep apnoea; ratings on the Epworth sleepiness scale were lower, indicating a reduction in daytime sleepiness. Treatment with MAS in our study reduced sleep apnoea and snoring, and lowered the values of the Epworth sleepiness scale, indicating a reduction in daytime sleepiness in the majority of the patients. Lifestyle factors are not believed to have affected the results.
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgical Sciences, Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Medical Faculty, Uppsala University, SE-751 85 Uppsala, Sweden.
authors.forename: Ann-Kristin
authors.initials: AK
authors.lastname: Lekerud
authors.forename: Lars
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Sand
authors.forename: Ann-Kristin
authors.initials: AK
authors.lastname: Englund
authors.forename: Jan M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Hirsch
mesh_terms: D006801:Humans; D019186:Mandibular Advancement / Q000295:instrumentation*; D009967:Orthodontic Appliances; D011446:Prospective Studies; D020181:Sleep Apnea, Obstructive / Q000628:therapy*; D012913:Snoring / Q000628:therapy; D016896:Treatment Outcome