Determination of the Correlation Between the Severity of Obstructive Sleep Apnea and Primary Hypertension by Using Acoustic Pharyngometry

Abstract

Introduction: Obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS) is characterized by repetitive partial and total collapse of the upper airway that induces stressful arousals throughout sleep to reestablish breathing. Hypertension was more frequently seen in patients with OSAS than in patients without OSAS and hypertension frequency increased in parallel to the severity of OSAS .The goal of uvulopalatopharyngoplasty (UPPP) in the treatment of obstructive sleep apnea syndrome is to reduce obstruction by eliminating redundant tissue in three areas: soft palate, tonsils and pharynx. Objective: The aim of this prospective study was to determine the relationship between the severity of OSA and primary hypertension by using acoustic pharyngometry pre and post uvulopalatopharyngoplasty.Study design: A prospective comparative study.Subjects and methods: 50 patients with both OSA and primary hypertension examined and investigated with acoustic pharyngometer, then operated up on with UPPP and reassessed for their blood pressure and acoustic pharyngometer after 3 months from the operation in comparson with 10 normal individuals.Results: The results 3 months after UPPP showed that the total number of cured and improved cases by acoustic pharyngometery were 9 & 23 cases (18% & 46%) & cases of pimary hypertension cured & improved were 8 & 40 cases that represented 16% & 40% respectively Conclusion:The severity of OSA can be determined objectively by using acoustic pharyngometry and blood pressure in the sleep apnea patients might gradually decreased after UPPP surgery .