Cheeks appearance as a novel predictor of obstructive sleep apnea: the CASA score study.

STUDY OBJECTIVES: Four well-established predictors of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) risk are body mass index, age, sex, and neck circumference. We have previously reported cheeks appearance as an OSA predictor, which may represent a combination of such predictors in a single, readily available feature. This study sought to answer the question: Is cheeks appearance an OSA risk predictor? METHODS: This was a prospective cross-sectional diagnostic accuracy study based on STARD (standards for reporting diagnostic accuracy studies). Patients undergoing polysomnography to investigate sleep complaints at a sleep clinic affiliated with a university hospital were assessed using cheeks appearance scored 0-3 for volume and 0-3 for flaccidity to create the Cheeks Appearance for Sleep Apnea (CASA) score ranging from 0 to 6. Appearance was judged by 3 blinded and independent evaluators. RESULTS: Among 265 patients evaluated, 248 were included. Fifty-seven patients had a CASA score of 0 and 191 had a CASA score between 1 and 6. Polysomnography diagnosed 177 of the individuals with OSA; of these, 167 had an altered CASA score. Sensitivity was 87%, specificity was 82%, positive-predictive value was 94%, negative-predictive value was 66%, and accuracy was 86%. CONCLUSIONS: Our results suggest that combining volume and flaccidity of cheeks appearance in a single index may constitute a reliable OSA predictor. CASA score is a novel predictor of OSA with internal validity in a sleep laboratory adult population. Our findings support further studies to confirm the external validity of this practical diagnostic tool. CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION: Registry: ClinicalTrials.gov; Name: Cheeks Appearance as a Novel Predictor of Obstructive Sleep Apnea: The CASA Score Study (CASA); URL: https://clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT04980586; Identifier: NCT04980586. CITATION: Prikladnicki A, Gomes E, Sousa LCCR, Gonçalves SC, Martinez D. Cheeks appearance as a novel predictor of obstructive sleep apnea: the CASA score study. J Clin Sleep Med. 2024;20(6):879-885.

Assessment of the Sensitivity of the Vocal Tract in Parkinson Disease by Nasal Video Endoscopy.

Introduction Sensory deficits of the upper airways are common in people with Parkinson disease. Compounded by considerable deterioration of the swallowing function, these deficits may contribute to the elevated rates of morbidity and mortality among this population. Objective To examine the sensitivity of the vocal tracts of people with Parkinson disease using nasal videoendoscopy and to compare the results with paired controls. Methods The present was a prospective, observational, case-control study. Sensitivity assessments were conducted in a sample of 24 people divided into 2 groups: one group of 12 patients with Parkinson's disease, and a control group with 12 healthy subjects. The study group also underwent a fiberoptic endoscopic evaluation of swallowing and answered the Swallowing Disturbance Questionnaire (SQD) to detect dysphagia. Results There was a significant difference ( p < 0.05) in the region of the arytenoid cartilages, showing that sensitivity was better preserved among the control group, and that sensitivity deficits were present in the study group. The qualitative results showed sensorial impairment in the study group than in the control group regarding the base of the tongue, the vestibular folds, and the vocal folds. The study group showed self-awareness regarding the deficits in the swallowing function, but there was no statistically significant association between swallowing function deficits and deterioration of sensorial function among them. Conclusions Sensorial deficits were present in the study group when compared to the healthy subjects, mainly in the qualitative evaluation.

Assessment of the Sensitivity of the Vocal Tract in Parkinson Disease by Nasal Video Endoscopy

Abstract Introduction Sensory deficits of the upper airways are common in people with Parkinson disease. Compounded by considerable deterioration of the swallowing function, these deficits may contribute to the elevated rates of morbidity and mortality among this population. Objective To examine the sensitivity of the vocal tracts of people with Parkinson disease using nasal videoendoscopy and to compare the results with paired controls. Methods The present was a prospective, observational, case-control study. Sensitivity assessments were conducted in a sample of 24 people divided into 2 groups: one group of 12 patients with Parkinson's disease, and a control group with 12 healthy subjects. The study group also underwent a fiberoptic endoscopic evaluation of swallowing and answered the Swallowing Disturbance Questionnaire (SQD) to detect dysphagia. Results There was a significant difference (p < 0.05) in the region of the arytenoid cartilages, showing that sensitivity was better preserved among the control group, and that sensitivity deficits were present in the study group. The qualitative results showed sensorial impairment in the study group than in the control group regarding the base of the tongue, the vestibular folds, and the vocal folds. The study group showed self-awareness regarding the deficits in the swallowing function, but there was no statistically significant association between swallowing function deficits and deterioration of sensorial function among them. Conclusions Sensorial deficits were present in the study group when compared to the healthy subjects, mainly in the qualitative evaluation.

Protocols and assessment procedures in fiberoptic endoscopic evaluation of swallowing: an updated systematic review / Protocolos e procedimentos de avaliação em endoscopia da deglutição: uma revisão sistemática atualizada

Abstract Introduction Neurological alterations can generate swallowing disorders and fiberoptic endoscopic evaluation of swallowing is one of the tests performed for its diagnosis, as well as assistance in dysphagia management. Objective To identify and describe a fiberoptic endoscopic evaluation of swallowing standardized protocol for the neurological adult population and its stages. Methods Systematic review registered on the PROSPERO platform (CRD42018069428), carried out on the websites: MEDLINE, Cochrane Library and Scielo; published between 2009 and 2020. Randomized clinical trials, cross-sectional, and longitudinal studies were included. Two independent judges evaluated the study design and extracted the data from the selected studies. Doubts regarding inclusion or not of the studies were evaluated by a third judge. Scientific articles included were those with adult neurological remained patients with outcomes: (1) diagnosis of swallowing disorder (2) change in sensitivity in laryngeal region (3) penetration of food offered (4) aspiration of food offered. Results 3724 articles were initially selected, after personalized search for patients with neurological alterations 101 studies remained. In the end, 21 qualitative studies from 2009 to 2020 remained in the systematic review and they were described in detail and compared. Seven articles used protocols of the institutions in which the research took place and four mentioned using the same protocol. The reliable reproducibility of the protocols is feasible only in three of the articles, even presenting different protocols. Conclusion There is no standard or validated protocol to assess the swallowing function of adults with neurological diseases.

Resumo Introdução As alterações neurológicas podem gerar distúrbios deglutitórios e a videoendoscopia da deglutição é um dos exames feitos para o seu diagnóstico e auxílio no manejo da disfagia. Objetivo Identificar e descrever o protocolo para videoendoscopia da deglutição padronizado para a população adulta com transtornos neurológicos e suas etapas. Método Revisão sistemática registrada na plataforma Prospero (CRD42018069428), realizada nos sites: Medline, Cochrane Library e Scielo; publicados entre 2009 e 2020. Foram incluídos ensaios clínicos randomizados, estudos transversais e longitudinais. Dois avaliadores independentes analisaram o delineamento do estudo e extrairam os dados dos estudos selecionados. As dúvidas de inclusão ou não dos estudos foram avaliadas por um terceiro avaliador. Artigos científicos incluídos englobam pacientes adultos neurológicos. Os desfechos avaliados: 1) diagnóstico de distúrbio deglutitório ou disfagia; (2) alteração de sensibilidade em região laríngea; (3) penetração laríngea do bolo alimentar ofertado; (4) aspiração traqueal do bolo alimentar ofertado. Resultados Foram selecionados inicialmente 3.724 artigos, após busca personalizada para pacientes com alterações neurológicas permaneceram 101 estudos. Ao final, 21 estudos qualitativos de 2009 a 2020 permaneceram na revisão sistemática e foram descritos detalhadamente e comparados. Sete estudos usaram protocolos das instituições promotoras e quatro citaram usar o mesmo protocolo. A reprodutibilidade fidedigna dos protocolos é viável apenas em três dos artigos, mesmo com protocolos diferentes. Conclusões Não há protocolo padronizado ou validado para avaliar a deglutição da população adulta neurológica.

Protocols and assessment procedures in fiberoptic endoscopic evaluation of swallowing: an updated systematic review.

INTRODUCTION: Neurological alterations can generate swallowing disorders and fiberoptic endoscopic evaluation of swallowing is one of the tests performed for its diagnosis, as well as assistance in dysphagia management. OBJECTIVE: To identify and describe a fiberoptic endoscopic evaluation of swallowing standardized protocol for the neurological adult population and its stages. METHODS: Systematic review registered on the PROSPERO platform (CRD42018069428), carried out on the websites: MEDLINE, Cochrane Library and Scielo; published between 2009 and 2020. Randomized clinical trials, cross-sectional, and longitudinal studies were included. Two independent judges evaluated the study design and extracted the data from the selected studies. Doubts regarding inclusion or not of the studies were evaluated by a third judge. Scientific articles included were those with adult neurological remained patients with outcomes: (1) diagnosis of swallowing disorder (2) change in sensitivity in laryngeal region (3) penetration of food offered (4) aspiration of food offered. RESULTS: 3724 articles were initially selected, after personalized search for patients with neurological alterations 101 studies remained. In the end, 21 qualitative studies from 2009 to 2020 remained in the systematic review and they were described in detail and compared. Seven articles used protocols of the institutions in which the research took place and four mentioned using the same protocol. The reliable reproducibility of the protocols is feasible only in three of the articles, even presenting different protocols. CONCLUSION: There is no standard or validated protocol to assess the swallowing function of adults with neurological diseases.

Diagnostic performance of cheeks appearance in sleep apnea.

OBJECTIVE: Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is a common, potentially life-threatening, but underdiagnosed condition. The study aimed to test the role of facial myofunctional alterations in OSA screening. METHOD: Sixty-one individuals with sleep complaints were evaluated by the Orofacial Myofunctional Evaluation with Scores (OMES) protocol before undergoing polysomnography. The performance of each of the protocol scores in OSA screening was tested. RESULTS: The nonparametric correlation of the apnea-hypopnea index (AHI) was significant for 18 of the 41 variables of the OMES protocol. Cheeks appearance had the best performance, increasing five times the odds for AHI ≥ 15. Its sensitivity was 66%; specificity, 72%; the area under the ROC curve, 0.69; positive and negative likelihood ratios, respectively, 2.38 and 0.47. DISCUSSION: Cheeks appearance may be an instantly visible surrogate of tongue and pharyngeal fat deposition and of muscle function in OSA screening. Adding the item "cheeks appearance" to OSA screening tools and questionnaires may be useful for the identification of OSA risk.