title: Evaluation of an oral appliance in patients with mild to moderate obstructive sleep apnea syndrome intolerant to continuous positive airway pressure use: Preliminary results.
abstract: Obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS) is a phenomenon of repeated, episodic reduction, or cessation of airflow (hypopnea/apnea) as a result of upper airways obstruction. First-line treatment in younger children is adenotonsillectomy, although other available treatment options in middle-aged adults include continuous positive airways pressure (CPAP) and airway adjuncts. Oral appliances (OA) are a viable treatment alternative in patients with OSAS.The objective of this study was to assess, in a 1-year follow-up study, an OA in OSAS patients. The participants were subjected to polysomnographic examination with a validated device (MicroMESAM). Eight participants were fitted with a Thornton Adjustable Positioner (TAP). The participants were asked to wear the test appliance for 7 nights, and in case of compliance, for 6 months. The selected patients record their usage of the appliance and any adverse effects in a treatment journal. The research focused on the following outcomes: sleep apnea (i.e. reduction in the apnea/hypopnea index) and the effect of oral appliances on daytime function.In conclusion, the results suggest that OA have a definite role in the treatment of snoring and sleep apnea.
authors.affiliation: Department of Basic Medical Science, Neurosciences and Sense Organs, University of Bari Aldo Moro, Bari, Italy.
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Cantore
authors.affiliation: Department of Basic Medical Science, Neurosciences and Sense Organs, University of Bari Aldo Moro, Bari, Italy andrea.ballini@me.com.
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Ballini
authors.affiliation: Department of Morphologic and Surgical Sciences, Insubria University, Varese, Italy.
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Farronato
authors.affiliation: Department of Interdisciplinary Medicine, University of Bari Aldo Moro, Bari, Italy.
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Malcangi
authors.affiliation: Department of Interdisciplinary Medicine, University of Bari Aldo Moro, Bari, Italy.
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Dipalma
authors.affiliation: Department of Biomedical, Surgical and Dental Sciences, Unit of Orthodontics and Paediatric Dentistry, University of Milan, Milan, Italy.
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Assandri
authors.affiliation: Department of Biomedical, Surgical and Dental Sciences, Unit of Orthodontics and Paediatric Dentistry, University of Milan, Milan, Italy.
authors.forename: U
authors.initials: U
authors.lastname: Garagiola
authors.affiliation: Department of Interdisciplinary Medicine, University of Bari Aldo Moro, Bari, Italy.
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Inchingolo
authors.affiliation: Department of Basic Medical Science, Neurosciences and Sense Organs, University of Bari Aldo Moro, Bari, Italy.
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: De Vito
authors.affiliation: Department of Basic Medical Science, Neurosciences and Sense Organs, University of Bari Aldo Moro, Bari, Italy.
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Cirulli
mesh_terms: D045422:Continuous Positive Airway Pressure / Q000379:methods; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010349:Patient Compliance; D017286:Polysomnography / Q000379:methods; D020181:Sleep Apnea, Obstructive / Q000628:therapy*; D012913:Snoring / Q000628:therapy; D016896:Treatment Outcome
keywords: Thornton Adjustable Positioner; apnea-hypopnea index; continuous positive airway pressure; obstructive sleep apnea syndrome; oral appliance