Effects of intranasal steroids on continuous positive airway pressure compliance among patients with obstructive sleep apnea.

BACKGROUND: Continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) in the treatment of obstructive sleep apnea can produce troublesome nasal symptoms, especially congestion, which may affect the continuity of using CPAP. Intranasal steroids are often prescribed to reduce these side effects, although few recent studies exist supporting the benefits of this treatment for CPAP-induced nasal side effects. METHODS: Eighty-three patients with OSA were enrolled in a prospective, randomized controlled study. All patients received CPAP treatment and were divided in two groups. The study group was prescribed fluticasone furoate nasal spray 55 µg, and the compliance to CPAP for patients in both groups was recorded by device memory card. Total nasal symptom score was assessed using a questionnaire by direct interview, with follow-up performed at 30 and 90 days after treatment. RESULT: Compliance to CPAP increased in both groups with significantly greater compliance in the intranasal steroid group compared to the control group without intranasal steroid (P value = 0.002, 0.001, and 0.020, respectively) after 90 days of treatment. No difference in nasal symptoms was found between the groups after 30 days of treatment. However, adding an intranasal steroid resulted in decreased rhinorrhea and congestion symptoms (P value < 0.001 and < 0.001) after 90 days of treatment. CONCLUSION: The addition of an intranasal steroid decreased the frequency of nasal symptoms, especially rhinorrhea and congestion, among patients with OSA initiating CPAP therapy and increased compliance to CPAP after 90 days of treatment. TRIAL REGISTRATION: IRB approval ID: R179h Clinical trial ID: TCTR20200715001.

Prospective study of the prevalence and co-morbidities of obstructive sleep apnea in active-duty army personnel in the three southernmost provinces of Thailand using questionnaire screening.

BACKGROUND: It is crucial for the army to know the prevalence of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) syndrome in active-duty army personnel. Little information has been reported on the prevalence of OSA and clinical features in active-duty army personnel. This study was aimed to estimate the prevalence of snoring and risk of developing OSA in active-duty army personnel in Thailand and to identify the co-morbidities of OSA. In total, 1107 participants who were aged 20-60 years and were deployed to the three southernmost provinces of Thailand were enrolled. All the participants completed the Phramongkutklao (PMK) Hospital OSA Questionnaire that was modified and validated from the Berlin Questionnaire and underwent physical examination. The participants were 1107 active-duty army personnel in the three southernmost provinces of Thailand, both males and females, aged 20-60 years. METHODS: The PMK OSA Questionnaire was used to assess the risk of OSA together with interviewing for snoring, fatigue, falling asleep and day-time sleepiness. Physical examination of the neck, chest and hip circumference, and height was performed. Information concerning physical training, co-morbid diseases, smoking and alcoholic consumption was collected. RESULTS: The prevalence of snoring was 58.5, and 4.8% met the PMK OSA Questionnaire criteria, thus indicating a high risk of OSA. The information obtained indicated that laryngopharyngeal reflux (LPR), current smoking and alcoholic consumption were significantly higher in the high-risk OSA group. CONCLUSION: Early detection and treatment of OSA in active-duty army personnel are imperative. Physical examination and polysomnography can be used to reveal the high-risk group. High body mess index (BMI), laryngopharyngeal reflux, current smoking and alcoholic consumption are modifiable factors for OSA and are avoidable. A policy to decrease the BMI and risk of LPR, as well as to stop smoking and alcoholic consumption, should be applied.

The Development of Sleep Questionnaires Thai Version (ESS, SA-SDQ, and PSQI): Linguistic Validation, Reliability Analysis and Cut-Off Level to Determine Sleep Related Problems in Thai Population.

Background: The Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS), Sleep Apnea Scale of Sleep Disorders Questionnaire (SA-SDQ), and Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) are widely used in English speaking countries for sleep problem screening. However, there is no officially validated Thai-version of sleep questionnaires available. Objective: To provide standard Thai version of three sleep questionnaires and find cut-off level to screening sleep problems in Thai population. Material and Method: We used Mapi Research Institute Methods for translation from original language to Thai questionnaire. Then, test-retest reliability analysis was performed. Finally, we collected data from patients who underwent polysomnography in Phramongkutklao Sleep Lab Centre between June and August 2011. Cut-off value to screen population at risk for sleep-related disorder was researched. Results: The questionnaires were translated with very good inter-rater agreement. Cut-off of ESS, SA-SDQ, and PSQI suggested sleep disorders would be 9, 27, and 6.5 respectively. Conclusion: Sleep disorder questionnaires including ESS, SA-SDQ, and PSQI were translated into Thai with high validity, reliability, and accuracy.

Efficacy of the Precise Climate Controller on the reduction of indoor microorganisms.

BACKGROUND: Nowadays, there are many methods to reduce microorganisms in the air, such as dehumidifier, air purifier or humidity and temperature controller. The Precise Climate Controller is an instrument for controlling humidity and temperature, a concept that is demonstrated. OBJECTIVE: To determine the efficacy of this device, in order to reduce the quantity of the fungi and bacteria in the closed system. METHODS: This study is a perspective experimental study and is conducted as follows - the air sample in the closed system, a 42-cubic-meter room, is collected before the installation of the Precise Climate Controller. Next, the room is fumed with Aspergillus flavus and closed for 2 days. Then the instrument is in use in order to keep the relative humidity (RH) and the temperature constant at 55% RH and 25 degrees Celsius (℃). The air samples are collected every 3 days for 5 times during the period of 15 days to identify the type and calculate the quantity of the microorganisms. RESULTS: Before the Precise Climate Controller has been installed. Three species of bacteria are found in the air samples, but none of the fungus exists in the testing room. Once the room has been fumed with a large amount of A. flavus and the instrument is in use for 3 days, nine colonies of A. flavus are identified, but later on when the instrument is in use for 6, 9, 12, and 15 days, the air samples contain neither fungus nor bacteria. CONCLUSION: After keeping the RH and temperature of the closed system constant at 55% RH and 25℃ by using the Precise Climate Controller, it is found that the efficaciousness in controlling the quantity and species of fungi and bacteria is clinically significant.

A comparative study of two-hour daytime and overnight polysomnography in high risk snorers.

OBJECTIVE: To compare two-hour daytime polysomnography (DPSG) and overnight polysomnography (ONPSG) (as the gold standard) in screening for high risk snorers. STUDY DESIGN: Descriptive study (diagnostic test). SETTING: Snoring Clinic, Phramongkutklao Hospital. MATERIAL AND METHOD: The present study was carried out among patients attending the Snoring clinic at Phramongkutklao hospital from September 2005 to February 2006 who had high risk of sleep apnea (pre-test) and scheduled for overnight PSG. Additionally, subjects were willing to take a two-hour daytime polysomnography. Both tests were performed less than two months apart. Each case was assessed using the Epworth sleepiness scale (ESS) > or = 8/24 and/or BMI > or = 27.5 kg/sqm as criteria to define as high risk snorer. After performing polysomnography, the subjects were categorized as high risk obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS, AHI > or = 20/hour) and low risk OSAS (AHI < 20/hour). Regarding snoring sound, subjects were divided into three groups: mild, moderate and severe. RESULTS: Fifty subjects, 33 males and 17females, were enrolled in the present study. Two males were excluded due to a daytime PSG recording less than two hours. The mean age was 48.3 +/- 10.64 years (22-65), mean BMI was 27.69 +/- 3.95 kg/sqm (22.5-36.9) and ESS 10.56 +/- 2.25/24. The mean AI and AHI for daytime PSG vs. overnight PSG were 24.31 +/- 21.36, 28.30 +/- 21.44 vs. 22.39 +/- 20.43 and 25.30 +/- 20.91 respectively. The sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value (PPV) and negative predictive value (NPV) of daytime PSG compared with overnight PSG were 92%, 91.3%, 92% and 91.3% respectively. The agreement of snoring during day and night (K-value) was 0.716 +/- 0.1 (p = 0.03). CONCLUSION: Sleep parameters (AI, AHI) for daytime PSG had high sensitivity, specificity, PPV and NPV compared with standard overnight PSG. These can be used as reliable screening tests for high risk snorers and also be used to assess the outcome of OSAS patients undergoing surgical intervention.

Tonsillectomy with uvulopalatopharyngoplasty and tongue base surgery for treatment of obstructive sleep apnea.

OBJECTIVE: The present study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of tonsillectomy with UPPP and tongue base surgery in the treatment of moderate to severe OSA. STUDY DESIGN: The present study employed a cross sectional design among 18 OSA patients undergoing surgery by a single surgeon from 2005 to 2009. The follow-up period was 25 to 37 months. Data included BMI, ESS and full night PSG recorded to compare pre- and post-operation. RESULTS: In all, 14 of 18 patients (77.8%) carried out the reduction of AHI 50% or lower than 20, postoperatively, defined as the success group. Mean ESS was decreased from 11.11 to 4.77 (p < 0.001). Most patients were satisfied with their postoperative results and reduction of subjective symptoms. CONCLUSION: A combined surgery in moderate and severe OSA had a surgical success rate of 77.8% in short and long term pos-toperation.

Oral clindamycin 300 mg BID compared with oral amoxicillin/clavulanic acid 1 g BID in the outpatient treatment of acute recurrent pharyngotonsillitis caused by group a beta-hemolytic streptococci: an international, multicenter, randomized, investigator-blinded, prospective trial in patients between the ages of 12 and 60 years.

BACKGROUND: The increasing rate of treatment failure with penicillin and other beta-lactam antibiotics in pharyngotonsillitis caused by group A beta-hemolytic streptococci (GABHS) has prompted the search for alternative antimicrobials. Both clindamycin and amoxicillin/clavulanic acid have excellent clinical activity in pharyngotonsillitis. OBJECTIVE: This study compared the clinical and bacteriologic efficacy and tolerability of oral clindamycin with those of oral amoxicillin/clavulanic acid in the outpatient treatment of acute recurrent GABHS pharyngotonsillitis. METHODS: This was an international, multicenter, randomized, investigator-blinded, prospective study in patients with acute recurrent pharyngotonsillitis. Recurrence was defined as > or =2 episodes of documented pharyngeal and/or tonsillar infection within the 12 months before the study. A rapid diagnostic test for GABHS was performed before initiating therapy, and positive results were confirmed by pharyngotonsillar culture. Patients were randomly assigned to receive oral clindamycin 300 mg BID or oral amoxicillin/clavulanic acid 1 g BID for 10 days. Culture was repeated on day 12. The primary study end points were clinical and bacteriologic efficacy assessed on day 12, and clinical and bacteriologic recurrence rates assessed at a visit taking place up to 3 months after the completion of treatment. Tolerability was the secondary end point. RESULTS: Seven hundred seventy-four patients with acute, recurrent GABHS pharyngotonsillitis were enrolled in the study (mean age, 28 years; age range, 12-60 years). Five hundred forty-two patients (272 clindamycin, 270 amoxicillin/clavulanic acid) were clinically evaluable at day 12. Four hundred ninety-four patients were bacteriologically evaluable, and the safety population included 772 patients. There were no significant differences between groups at baseline. In terms of clinical efficacy at day 12, 252/272 (92.6%) patients in the clindamycin group and 230/270 (85.2%) patients in the amoxicillin/clavulanic acid group were considered cured (P < 0.003). At day 12, bacteriologic eradication was achieved in 237/242 (97.9%) and 238/252 (94.4%) patients in the respective treatment groups (P = NS). No clinical response was observed in the absence of bacteriologic eradication. At 3-month follow-up, clinical cure was achieved in 267/280 (95.4%) patients in the clindamycin group and 267/280 (95.7%) patients in the amoxicillin/clavulanic acid group (P = NS); bacteriologic eradication was observed in 235 (99.2%) and 237 (99.6%) of the respective treatment groups (P = NS). Both treatments were well tolerated. Adverse events were reported in 53/384 (13.8%) patients in the clindamycin group and 41/390 (10.5%) patients in the amoxicillin/clavulanic acid group. The most commonly reported adverse events involved the digestive system (mainly diarrhea), occurring in 33 (8.6%) and 22 (5.6%) patients in the respective treatment groups. CONCLUSIONS: In this study in patients with acute recurrent GABHS pharyngotonsillitis, oral clindamycin 300 mg BID and oral amoxicillin/clavulanic acid 1 g BID achieved comparable rates of bacteriologic eradication at 12 days and 3 months and comparable clinical cure rates at 3 months. Patients who received clindamycin had significantly greater clinical cure rates at 12 days. Both regimens were well tolerated.

The correlation of micro-organisms between tonsillar crypt culture and tonsillar core culture in chronic tonsillitis.

OBJECTIVES: This study was undertaken to seek the correlation between tonsillar core and tonsillar crypt cultures and study the incidence of beta- lactamase producing bacteria (BLPB) in chronic tonsillitis patients. MATERIAL AND METHOD: The study was carried out in Department of Otolaryngology from Feb 2000 to Dec 2001. Patients with chronic tonsillitis who underwent tonsillectomy were enrolled, and culture results from tonsillar crypts were compared with tonsillar core. RESULTS: The tonsil were removed from 61 patients. Age ranging from 2-14 years (n=21) and 15-50 years (N= 40); H. influenza (25.2%), S. aureus (23.4%), and S. viridian (11.3%) were isolated from tonsillar core, while 25.9% and 24% of organisms isolated from tonsillar crypt were H. influenza and S. aurieus, respectively. Correlations between tonsillar core and tonsillar crypt culture were 100% specificity for Group A beta hemolytic streptococcocus (GABHS), 86.2% for H. influenza and 81.5% for S. aureus. Regarding beta-lactamase production, 29.2% of H. influenza were beta lactamase producing bacteria (BLPB), while 88.9% of S. aureus were BLPB. CONCLUSION: The present study demonstrates a high correlation in cultures obtained from tonsillar crypt and tonsillar core. The difference in isolated technique may account for the higher correlation when compared to previous studies. The incidence of beta- lactamase producing bacteria in chronic tonsillitis was high.