Consideration on the evaluation of indications and effecacy of oral appliance therapy for OSAHS

Objective To reconsider the indications and reevaluate the therapeutic effect of OSAHS oral appliance therapy through analyzing PSG data change. Methods 12 OSAHS cases whose AHI>10 after using oral appliance were included. Their PSG results (including AHI, mean oxygen saturation, minimum oxygen saturation and ST90) before and after using oral appliance were compared. Results By analyzing both patients' subjective feelings and PSG results, we find that out of the 12 cases, although AHI>10 after using oral appliance, 7 patients get great improvement on oxygen saturation and should continue oral appliance therapy and keep the present effect; 2 patients should readjust the oral appliances for lower AHI and higher oxygen saturation; 3 patients get worse PSG results after using oral appliance and should turn to other therapies. Conclusions When treating OSAHS and evaluating the effects, more indexes other than AHI should be taken into consideration, especially blood oxygen saturation. Therefore, apart from mild to moderate OSAHS patients, those with AHI>30 and mild hypoxia should also be indications of oral appliance therapy. The objective evaluation of treatment outcomes should also include AHI, SaO2, minSaO2 and ST90 apart from AHI. Key words: Sleep apnea; obstructive; Activator Appliances; Polysomnography; Treatment outcome