Changes of Sleep Disordered Breathing and Quality of Life after Adenotonsillectomy in Pediatric Obstructive Sleep Apnea

Abstract

Background and Objectives Pediatric obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) can have an effect on the quality of life (QOL) such as behavior, school performance, emotional distress and daytime function. We aim to verify changes in sleep disordered breathing based on polysomnographic findings and disease specific health related QOL before and after adenotonsillectomy in Korean children with OSA. Subjects and Method A total 20 children aged 3 through 13 years old (mean age=6.7 years old and male/female=14/6) with OSA were included. We evaluated respiratory disturbances in patients using the standard polysomnography and the OSA-specific health related QOL based on Korean Obstructive Sleep Apnea-18 Survey (KOSA-18). Results There were significant improvements in apnea-hypopnea index (from 9.4±7.4 to 1.1±0.8 events/hour, p<0.001) and total score of KOSA-18 (71.3±26.0 to 33.6±10.7, p<0.001) after adenotonsillectomy. Conclusion Sleep disordered breathing and QOL improve significantly after adenotonsillectomy in Korean OSA children. Key words: Adenoidectomy ㆍ Child ㆍ Obstructive sleep apnea ㆍ Quality of life ㆍ Tonsillectomy