A multifactorial intervention to increase adherence to oral appliance therapy with a titratable mandibular advancement device for obstructive sleep apnea: a randomized controlled trial.

PURPOSE: Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is a common chronic condition, associated with several conditions that account for leading causes of mortality. Adherence to treatment of a chronic condition is, along with treatment efficacy, a major determinant of treatment outcome. The aim of this study was to test whether or not a multifactorial intervention in addition to standard care increases adherence rates in patients using a titratable oral appliance for OSA. METHODS: All subjects were 18 years old or older, had a diagnosis of OSA, and were treated with an oral appliance with an embedded sensor to measure appliance wear time objectively. The control group received routine care, while the experimental subjects received an additional multifactorial intervention. Comparison of adherence was at 30 days (Phase I) and 90 days (Phase II) after appliance delivery. RESULTS: Data are reported for 82 subjects in Phase I (control 43; experimental 39) and 66 subjects in Phase II (control 36; experimental 30). There were no significant differences for age, sex, body mass index, and apnea-hypopnea index (p > 0.05) between groups. In both Phase I and Phase II, the mean number of nights the appliance was worn 4 or more hours and the mean time the appliance was worn nightly were significantly greater in the experimental than in the control group (p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Interventions were well received by subjects and can be carried out by auxiliary personnel. The experimental interventions resulted in clinically important and statistically significant improvements in patient adherence to treatment.

Facial and Intraoral Photographic Traits Related to Sleep Apnea in a Clinical Sample with Genetic Ancestry Analysis.

Rationale: Craniofacial and pharyngeal morphology influences risk for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). Quantitative photography provides phenotypic information about these anatomical factors and is feasible in large samples. However, whether associations between morphology and OSA severity differ among populations is unknown. Objectives: The aim of this study was to examine this question in a large sample encompassing people from different ancestral backgrounds. Methods: Participants in SAGIC (Sleep Apnea Global Interdisciplinary Consortium) with genotyping data were included (N = 2,393). Associations between photography-based measures and OSA severity were assessed using linear regression, controlling for age, sex, body mass index, and genetic ancestry. Subgroups (on the basis of 1000 Genomes reference populations) were identified: European (EUR), East Asian, American, South Asian, and African (AFR). Interaction tests were used to assess if genetically determined ancestry group modified these relationships. Results: Cluster analysis of genetic ancestry proportions identified four ancestrally defined groups: East Asia (48.3%), EUR (33.6%), admixed (11.7%; 46% EUR, 27% Americas, and 22% AFR), and AFR (6.4%). Multiple anatomical traits were associated with more severe OSA independent of ancestry, including larger cervicomental angle (standardized ß [95% confidence interval (CI)] = 0.11 [0.06-0.16]; P < 0.001), mandibular width (standardized ß [95% CI] = 0.15 [0.10-0.20]; P < 0.001), and tongue thickness (standardized ß [95% CI] = 0.06 [0.02-0.10]; P = 0.001) and smaller airway width (standardized ß [95% CI] = -0.08 [-0.15 to -0.002]; P = 0.043). Other traits, including maxillary and mandibular depth angles and lower face height, demonstrated different associations with OSA severity on the basis of ancestrally defined subgroups. Conclusions: We confirm that multiple facial and intraoral photographic measurements are associated with OSA severity independent of ancestral background, whereas others differ in their associations among the ancestrally defined subgroups.

Comparative efficacy of CPAP, MADs, exercise-training, and dietary weight loss for sleep apnea: a network meta-analysis.

STUDY OBJECTIVE: To synthesize evidence from available studies on the relative efficacies of continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP), mandibular advancement device (MAD), supervised aerobic exercise training, and dietary weight loss in patients with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). DESIGN: Network meta-analysis of 80 randomized controlled trials (RCTs) short-listed from PubMed, SCOPUS, Web of science, and Cochrane register (inception - September 8, 2015). PATIENTS: Individuals with OSA. INTERVENTIONS: CPAP, MADs, exercise training, and dietary weight loss. RESULTS: CPAP decreased apnea-hypopnea index (AHI) the most [by 25.27 events/hour (22.03-28.52)] followed by exercise training, MADs, and dietary weight loss. While the difference between exercise training and CPAP was non-significant [-8.04 (-17.00 to 0.92), a significant difference was found between CPAP and MADs on AHI and oxygen desaturation index (ODI) [-10.06 (-14.21 to -5.91) and -7.82 (-13.04 to -2.59), respectively]. Exercise training significantly improved Epworth sleepiness scores (ESS) [by 3.08 (0.68-5.48)], albeit with a non-significant difference compared to MADs and CPAP. CONCLUSIONS: CPAP is the most efficacious in complete resolution of sleep apnea and in improving the indices of saturation during sleep. While MADs offer a reasonable alternative to CPAP, exercise training which significantly improved daytime sleepiness (ESS) could be used as adjunctive to the former two.

Effect of oral appliances on blood pressure in obstructive sleep apnea: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is an independent risk factor for the development of hypertension. However the effect of continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) on lowering systemic blood pressure (BP) in OSA patients has been conflicting. Oral appliance (OA) therapy is an important alternative therapy to CPAP for patients with mild to moderate OSA. OBJECTIVE: To conduct a meta-analysis of studies which have evaluated the effect of OAs on BP in patients with OSA. DATA SOURCES: Studies were retrieved by searching PubMed (all studies that were published until December 15, 2011) STUDY SELECTION: Three independent reviewers screened citations to identify trials of the effect of OA on BP. DATA EXTRACTION: Data from observational and randomized controlled trial (RCT) studies was extracted for pre- and post-treatment systolic, diastolic, and mean arterial blood pressure (SBP, DBP, and MAP). DATA SYNTHESIS: A total of 7 studies that enrolled 399 participants met the inclusion criteria. The pooled estimate of mean changes and the corresponding 95% CIs for SBP, DBP, and MAP from each trial are -2.7 mm Hg (95% CI: -0.8 to -4.6), p-value 0.04; -2.7 mm Hg (95% CI: -0.9 to -4.6), p-value 0.004; and -2.40 mm Hg (95% CI: -4.01 to -0.80), p-value 0.003 (Figures 2-4). The pooled estimate of mean changes and the corresponding 95% CIs for nocturnal SBP, DBP, and MAP from each trial are -2.0 mm Hg (95% CI: 1.1 to -5.3), p-value 0.212; -1.7 mm Hg (95% CI: -0.1 to -3.2), p-value 0.03; and -1.9 mm Hg (95% CI: 1.3 to -5.1), p-value 0.255 (Figures 5-7) respectively. CONCLUSIONS: The pooled estimate shows a favorable effect of OAs on SBP, MAP, and DBP. Most of the studies were observational. Therefore, more RCTs are warranted involving a larger number of patients and longer treatment periods to confirm the effects of OA on BP.