Evaluation of upper airway in obstructive sleep apnea-hypopnea syndrome and habitual snorers.

OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study was to evaluate upper airway in obstructive sleep apnea-hypopnea syndrome patients and habitual snorers, and to determine the correlation with apnea-hypopnea index.

METHODS: 193 patients who applied to our Ear Nose Throat Clinic between years 2000 and 2002 with the complaint of witnessed snoring and/or apnea were included in the study. Each patient was evaluated by a complete head and neck examination and polysomnography. Physical examination included anterior rhinoscopy, nasal endoscopy, examination of oropharynx and hypopharynx and Muller maneuver. The correlation between the Ear Nose Throat examination parameters and the apnea/hypopnea index was investigated.

RESULTS: Patients were distributed into two groups according to the apnea-hypopnea index: habitual snorers (34.3%) and obstructive sleep apnea-hypopnea (65.7%). There was a statistically significant correlation between apnea-hypopnea index and Muller maneuver, tongue base, lateral pharyngeal fold. There was a statistically significant correlation between body mass index, Muller maneuver and uvula.

CONCLUSIONS: Obstructive sleep apnea-hypopnea patients results from changes in the upper airway. Anatomic and functional findings correlated with the apnea-hypopnea index. In the majority of patients with OSAHS, pharyngeal abnormalities and nasal obstruction were found to be statistically significant (Tab. 2, Fig. 1, Ref. 14).