Authors: Sung Won Kim BooYoung Kim Jung Ju Han Jae Hyung Hwang Kihwan Jung Min Kim Soo Whan Kim
Publish Date: 2014/12/07
Volume: 67, Issue: 1, Pages: 114-118
Abstract
Computed tomography CT has become a common method for evaluating obstructive sleep apnea OSA The aim of this study was to analyze the relationships between CT parameters and clinical parameters in OSA patients to determine major factors affecting the severity of OSA The records of 128 consecutive snoring patients 98 males 30 females diagnosed with OSA were retrospectively reviewed Polysomnography was performed for each patient On CT scans airway areas were measured at the level of the hard palate the soft palate and the base of the tongue Polysomnographic parameters were compared by gender and age using the Mann–Whitney U test Pearson’s correlation coefficient was used to analyze relationships between variables and the AHI in each age group The women were significantly older than the men p 001 The AHI and apnea index were significantly higher in men than in women Stage 1 sleep and rapid eye movement sleep were more frequent in men than in women The area at the base of the tongue was significantly smaller in women than in men p = 0027 In the 50–60 age group the AHI was significantly higher in men 4147 ± 1967 than in women 1714 ± 1563 p = 0001 OSA severity varies with age gender and upper airway area The OSA prognosis could be improved by evaluating the major factors and treating OSA patients according to epidemiological characteristics and anatomical structures
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