Etiology of obstructive sleep apnoea syndrome

Abstract

<p class="abstract"><strong>Background:</strong> The aims of the study were to evaluate the various etiological factors of obstructive sleep apnoea syndrome and to make recommendations based on study findings.</p><p class="abstract"><strong>Methods:</strong> The study group consists of 60 patients who are diagnosed clinically and polysomnographically to have obstructive sleep apnoea syndrome at ENT and Pulmonary Medicine outpatient departments. </p><p class="abstract"><strong>Results:</strong> Most cases of severe OSA were in age group of 21-40 (47.8%). No significant association was observed between age distribution and severity of OSA (p=0.295). A significant association was observed between obesity and increasing severity of OSA (p<0.05). The mean AHI of patients with mild, moderate and severe OSA was 8.45, 23.31 and 49.07 respectively (p<0.05). Enlarged adenoids, narrow oropharyngeal inlet, bulky tongue, enlarged tonsils and greater neck circumference were significantly associated with OSA (p<0.05). No significant association between DNS, ITH, concha bullosa and enlarged adenoids with OSA (p>0.05).</p><p class="western"><strong>Conclusions:</strong> Certain naso-oro-pharyngeal parameters were found to be significantly associated with obstructive sleep apnoea syndrome viz. enlarged adenoids, bulky tongue, greater neck circumference and narrow<strong> </strong>oropharyngeal inlet. Patients with these features should further be investigated with CPAP titration polysomnography and surgical intervention. </p>