Pharyngeal disturbances in OSAS patients before and 1 year after UPPP

Abstract

Conclusions: The results indicate that conservative uvulopalatopharyngoplasty with tonsillectomy (UPPP) did not change the degree of pharyngeal disturbances in patients with obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS). Objectives: To investigate if the symptom scores of pharyngeal disturbances in OSAS patients were changed 1 year after UPPP, by using a questionnaire pre- and postoperatively, and to compare with healthy non-snoring controls. Methods: Fifty men and eight women, median age 46 years (range 25–75), median body mass index (BMI) 28 kg/m2 (20–38), and median preoperative oxygen desaturation index 16 (7–100) were included as they had all failed non-surgical treatment and wanted pharyngeal surgery. The questionnaire consisted of 10 questions with 4 degrees of disturbances; the maximum score was 30 and was evaluated before and 1 year after surgery. Fifteen age-, gender- and BMI-matched controls responded to the same questionnaire. Results: Responses to the questionnaire were provided pre- and postoperatively by 47 of 58 patients (81%). Their median score was unchanged from 5 (range 0–17) to 5 (0–19), compared with controls 1 (0–3). Analyses of separate questions showed a significant decrease in the score for ‘globus sensation’ and ‘swelling’ postoperatively.

Keywords::

• Dysphagia
• swallowing disturbances
• globus
• snoring

Acknowledgments

We thank Johan Bring, Professor, Statisticon AB Sweden, for his valuable statistical assistance and Pia Nerfeldt MD PhD for valuable comments on the manuscript.

Declaration of interest: The authors report no conflicts of interest. The authors alone are responsible for the content and writing of the paper.