Therapeutic Outcome of Primary Snoring and Mild Obstructive Sleep Apnea and Clinical Suggestion for Treatment Approaches

Background and ObjectivesThe clinical significance and need for the treatment of primary snoring and mild obstructive sleep apnea have been recently questioned.In this study, we analyzed therapeutic outcome and the methods of treatment of such diseases.Subjects and Method A retrospective review was conducted using the medical records of patients diagnosed with primary snoring or mild obstructive sleep apnea at a single institution from 2013 to 2015 through polysomnography or WATCHPAT.Results Of the 18 patients (37%) with primary snoring, 13 patients (72.2%) underwent surgery, four patients (22.2%) were treated with surgery and mandibular advancement device, and one patient (5.6%) underwent automatic positive airway pressure therapy.Of the 78 patients (61%) with mild obstructive sleep apnea, 35 patients (44.8%) had surgery, 24 patients (30.8%) were treated with mandibular advancement device, 13 patients (16.7%) were treated with surgery and mandibular advancement device and 6 patients (7.7%) received automatic positive airway pressure therapy.For primary snoring, while Epworth Sleepiness Scale and Pittsburg Sleep Quality Index did not improve, the snoring visual analog scale decreased significantly.In patients with mild obstructive sleep apnea, Apnea-Hypopnea Index, snoring decibel, Epworth Sleepiness Scale, and Pittsburg Sleep Quality Index were significantly decreased after treatment and the lowest oxygen saturation was significantly increased after treatment.Conclusion For primary snoring, the direction of treatment should be determined in accordance with the presence of associated diseases related to sleep disturbance breathing.For mild obstructive sleep apnea, active treatment may be helpful.