Authors and Institutions
Ball L, Barker R
1 University of Tennessee Department of Internal Medicine, Knoxville, TN
2 Barker Sleep Institute, Knoxville, TN
Introduction: While continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) remains the first line therapy in the treatment of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), oral appliance therapy is a valuable alternative treatment modality. More recently, remotely controlled mandibular protrusion sleep studies have been demonstrated to predict reliably the outcome of oral appliance treatment. The aim of this study is to identify factors which may influence the treatment response to remotely controlled mandibular protrusion device as surrogate markers for the success of oral appliance treatment.
Methods: This is a retrospective study of 113 individuals fourteen years of age and older who underwent therapeutic polysomnography (PSG) with MATRx (product of Zephyr Sleep Technologies, Inc.) for treatment of OSA. Five individuals were excluded because diagnostic PSG data was unavailable. Data was analyzed for differences between patients whose OSA was successfully controlled during the device study and patients whose OSA was uncontrolled despite maximal advancement of the mandible. Variables assessed included age, body mass index (BMI), neck circumference, Mallampati class, total apnea-hypopnea index (AHI), AHI during rapid eye movement (REM) sleep, and AHI during supine sleep.
Results: A total of 108 patient charts were reviewed. Of those, 85 patients had their OSA successfully controlled using remotely titrated mandibular protrusion; 23 did not. Of those successfully treated, 47 were female; 38 were male. Of those not successfully treated, 11 were male; 12 were female. In comparing the two patient groups, patients not successfully controlled with remotely controlled mandibular protrusion had significantly greater age (p=0.0009), BMI (p=0.0015), overall AHI (p=0.0002), and AHI during supine positioning (p<0.0001) compared to patients who were successfully treated. Neck circumference, Mallampati class, and AHI during REM did not differ significantly between the two groups.
Conclusions: Our analysis suggests that patients who are older and those with higher BMIs, more severe OSA, and particularly severe supine events may not be good candidates for oral appliance therapy for treatment of OSA. The impact age and positioning may have on a patient’s response to therapy suggests an opportunity for further investigation to expand the availability of treatment options for OSA patients.
Support (If Any): No disclosures.
Does stabilization of the mandible alone without advancement impact OSA?
Performance of Remotely Controlled Mandibular Protrusion Sleep Studies for Prediction of Oral Appliance Treatment Response
Age:
SE 3.505
95% CI 5.0551 to 18.9449
Tstat 3.426
P = 0.0009
BMI:
SE 1.292
95% CI 1.6476 to 6.7724
Tstat 3.257
P = 0.0015
NECK:
SE 0.492
95% CI –0.3890 to 1.5690
Tstat 1.199
P = 0.2341
Mallampati
SE 0.135
95% CI –0.1473 to 0.3873
Tstat 0.891
P = 0.3751
AHI:
SE 3.147
95% CI 5.9911 to 18.4689
Tstat 3.886
P = 0.0002
REM AHI:
SE 4.642
95% CI –3.5030 to 14.9016
Tstat 1.228
P = 0.2222
Supine
SE 4.689
95% CI 14.9446 to 33.5365
Tstat 5.170
P < 0.0001
Non-supine
SE 3.410
95% CI 3.992 to 17.5156
Tstat 3.154
P = 0.0021
Identifying Features Correlating with Treatment Response to Remotely Controlled Mandibular Protrusion and Management of OSA
Anna Miller-Sleep Apnea
“Suddenly I woke up in the middle of the night with an extremely rapid heart beat. It was Atrial Fibrillation, they call it AFIB. Barker Sleep did a sleep study and I had 137 episodes a night. They recommended a CPAP machine, I’ve used it every single night for 6 years and have never had another episode. My husband slept with earplugs for 6 years, he hasn’t had to do that anymore and I haven’t had a heart attack.”
Betty Kyle-MATRx Oral Appliance
“I don’t have a CPAP, I don’t have a chinstrap. I feel liberated!” – Betty Kyle
Amanda Gerth-Jones Sleep Apnea
“I was exhausted for some time and finally broke down and had a sleep study. I found out I have severe sleep apnea and now it’s a world of difference with the CPAP machine and the help of Dr. Barker and her staff.”
MATRx Oral Appliance Testing for the treatment of Obstructive Sleep Apnea
MATRx Oral Appliance testing for the treatment of Obstructive Sleep Apnea
Link to the MATRx for patient’s website
Zephyrsleep.com/patients/
MATRx (Oral Appliance Test)
Oral appliance therapy (OAT) can be used to treat sleep apnea in mild to moderate cases.
Using MATRx, a temporary, inexpensive appliance is made for the patient in our clinic or by an affiliated dentist. Used to advance the lower jaw remotely while the patient sleeps during in facility testing, MATRx determines if an oral appliance is right for you in comfort and opening the upper airway to stop apneas. MATRx gives patients the opportunity to decide if they prefer OAT before obtaining the more expensive permanent appliance. Valuable information on approximate settings for the permanent appliance is obtained for the dentist.
This exciting new technique gives the patient the opportunity to decide if they prefer OAT before obtaining the permanent appliance. Barker Sleep is the first and only sleep center in Tennessee to offer this innovative treatment and testing option.
Martin Bradley • Sleep Apnea
I had been to several doctors but Dr. Barker was the only doctor that really took the time to fully understand what was going on with me. I was amazed at how knowledgeable she was about sleep and how it affects your overall health. Now when I come home from working all day I still have tons of energy left.”
“I’ve even been able to help my mom get the right sleep care she needed. After five years of having been misdiagnosed and having no follow-up treatment, she was very reluctant. Dr. Barker and her staff put her at ease right away. She was diagnosed with severe sleep apnea but is now getting the quality treatment she needs.”
Stephanie Greene • Insomnia & RLS
“Dr. Barker changed my life. After 24 years of struggling with insomnia and not being treated successfully, I am sleeping through the night and feel rested in the morning. I was also diagnosed with Restless Legs Syndrome and the treatment here has completely cured it!”
Jack Tharp • Sleep Apnea
“I’m a truck driver. When I could only drive for 45 minutes at a time without wanting to fall asleep I knew I needed help. I went to see Dr. Barker and she diagnosed me with sleep apnea. The staff was so patient in making sure that I got the right equipment. My quality of life has never been better!”
Emily Hildreth • Narcolepsy
“Dr. Barker put me at ease immediately. The rooms were so much nicer than I expected and the staff was very friendly and professional. I can’t tell you how nice it is to be able to watch a movie without nodding off. This treatment has changed my life 180 degrees.”
