THE CONNECTION BETWEEN POLYSOMNOGRAPHY RESULTS, EPWORTH SCORES AND DRUG-INDUCED SLEEP ENDOSCOPY FINDINGS IN PATIENTS WITH OSAS

Abstract

Objective: To determine the usefulness of drug-induced sleep endoscopy (DISE) and evaluate correlations between DISE findings, polysomnography and Epworth sleepiness scale values. Material and Method: Included in this study are patients with major OSAS symptoms and apnea-hypopnea index (AHI) values between 5 and 30 who were scheduled for soft palate surgery. The patients were sedated with propofol (0.25 cc/kg) in the operating room for examination of obstructive regions. Anatomical structures affected by obstruction were observed with flexible endoscopy. The images from this examination were analyzed with Ulead video study. Patients with soft palate pathologies were operated and the endoscopic examination repeated postoperatively. Changes in pre- and post-operative obstruction areas were compared with changes in pre- and post-op PSG and Epworth sleepiness scale values. Results: Changes in retropalatal area values were correlated with changes in AHI values. The most important factor affecting this correlation was the formation of base of tongue pathology, despite being absent preoperatively. We also determined the correlation between patients’ Epworth scores, AHI and retropalatal area. Changes in the retropalatal area following OSAS surgery were correlated with changes in AHI and Epworth scores. Conclusion: DISE is an effective diagnostic technique in OSAS with advantages such as a low radiation risk, cost effectiveness and precise findings.