Clinical analysis of patients who dropout in oral appliance therapy in obstructive sleep apnea

Abstract

AimThe purpose of this study was to characterize patients who received oral appliance (OA) therapy for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) and to investigate the factors linked to patient dropout from OA therapy.MethodsThis study included 132 patients with OSA. The patients were categorized into an OA user group or a dropout group. Clinical parameters and craniofacial features were compared.ResultsFifty‐seven patients (43.2%) dropped out of OA therapy. The most common reasons for stopping OA therapy, as reported by patients, were unknown (51%), ineffectiveness (16%), strong discomfort not related to the temporomandibular joint TMJ (e.g., tooth or gum pain; 14%), pain in the TMJ (TMJ; 9%), nasal symptoms (4%), excessive salivation (2%), and other reasons (5%). Body mass index (BMI) and the presence or absence of OSA‐related complications (e.g., cardiovascular disease, cerebrovascular disease, and diabetes) were determined by univariate analysis. Age, BMI, facial axis (Fx), and the presence of OSA‐related complications were determined by multivariate logistic analyses to be risk factors for dropping out of OA therapy.ConclusionsThis study found that more patients than anticipated had discontinued OA treatment for various reasons.