Study Objectives: To compare the effi cacy of adjustable and fi xed oral appliances for the treatment of OSA. Methods: Retrospective review of consecutive patients with OSA treated with either adjustable or fi xed oral appliances. Polysomnography was conducted before and during therapy. Effective treatment was defi ned as an apnea-hypopnea index (AHI) < 5 events/h or < 10 events/h with resolution of sleepiness (Epworth < 10). We compared effi cacy rates between fi xed and adjustable appliances and sought to identify factors associated with greater success. Results: We included 805 patients, 602 (74.8%) treated with an adjustable and 203 (25.2%) a fi xed oral appliances. Among the cohort, 86.4% were men; mean age was 41.3 ± 9.2 years. Mean AHI was 30.7 ± 25.6, with 34.1% having mild (AHI 5-14.9), 29.2% moderate (AHI 15-29.9), and 36.8% severe (AHI ≥ 30) OSA. Successful therapy was signifi cantly more common with adjustable appliances. Obstructive events were reduced to < 5/h in 56.8% with adjustable compared to 47.0% with fi xed appliances (p = 0.02). Similarly, a reduction of events to < 10 with resolution of sleepiness occurred in 66.4% with adjustable appliances versus 44.9% with fi xed appliances (p < 0.001). For both devices, success was more common in younger patients, with lower BMI and less severe disease. Conclusions: Adjustable devices produced greater reductions in obstructive events and were more likely to provide successful therapy, especially in moderate-severe OSA. Fixed appliances were effective in mild disease, but were less successful in those with higher AHIs. Given these fi ndings, the baseline AHI should be considered when selecting the type of oral appliance. Keywords: Oral appliance, mandibular advancement device, obstructive sleep apnea, effi cacy Citation: Lettieri CJ; Paolino N; Eliasson AH; Shah AA; Holley AB. Comparison of adjustable and fi xed oral appliances for the treatment of obstructive sleep apnea.

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