Controlled, prospective trial of psychosocial function before and after mandibular advancement splint therapy.

Introduction: The aim of the study was to investigate psychosocial function in patients with obstructive sleep apnea/hypopnea syndrome (OSAHS), before and after mandibular advancement splint (MAS) therapy.

Methods: In a prospective, parallel-group study, changes in psychosocial scores were compared before and after MAS therapy for OSAHS. Patients from the top (MAS treated, n = 40) or bottom (conservatively treated n = 35) of a MAS waiting list rated quality of life (Short Form 36 [SF-36] Health Survey) and sleepiness (Epworth Sleepiness Scale [ESS]). Both groups' ratings at baseline were completed while on conservative therapy.

Results: Baseline variables did not differ between groups. At follow-up, psychosocial scores showed improvement in MAS-treated patients, with odds ratios (confidence interval) of 0.26 (0.09, 0.75) and 0.36 (0.14, 0.92) for sleepiness and energy/vitality domain, respectively. Statistically significant improvement in the median (range) sleepiness score (10 [1 to 18] to 6 [1 to 14]; P <0.001) and energy/vitality domain (18 [7 to 20] to 19 [14 to 20]; P = 0.03) were observed with MAS therapy. Reductions were detected in median apnea-hypopnea index (median [range] 16 [5.2 to 30] to 4.6 [0.8 to 17.2] events/hour; P <0.001), and oxygen desaturation index (ODI) (11 [3 to 16] to 0 [0 to 5] events/hour; P <0.001) at follow-up with MAS therapy. Similar changes were observed in the comparison group when they went on to be treated with MAS.

Conclusions: This study demonstrated that treatment with MAS produced statistically and clinically significant psychosocial and cardio-respiratory improvements.