The effect of surgery upon the quality of life in snoring patients and their partners: a between-subjects case-controlled trial

Abstract

Snoring is a common complaint in the community. Its psychosocial effect upon the relationship between sleeping partners is not known. This study examines prospectively by detailed tailored questionnaires the differences in the physical, psychological and social aspects in 27 snoring patients and their partners presenting to a snoring clinic and compares them with a control group of 24 patients who had undergone successful Laser-Assisted Uvulopalatoplasty (LAUP) and their partners. All areas examined showed improvement in the non-snoring group, particularly for the patient. Improvement was demonstrated in the non-snoring group's quality of marital state (P < 0.01). Quality of life was improved (P < 0.05). Perceived inadequacies in support were significantly higher in the snoring group (P < 0.05). Evidence of psychiatric disorder apparent in the snoring group was not present in the control group (P < 0.01). This is the first study to demonstrate significant improvement in the quality of life in both patients and their partners, after successful surgery for simple snoring.

Subjective effects of the sleep position trainer on snoring outcomes in position-dependent non-apneic snorers

“…Habitual loud snoring may result in couples choosing to sleep apart or resort to using earplugs to counteract the sound [14]. These aspects can have a negative impact on the psychosocial aspects and the intimacy in a couple’s relationship, and even may trigger marital disharmony or result in divorce [1]. …”

Changes in emotional state of bed partners of snoring and obstructive sleep apnea patients following radiofrequency tissue ablation: a pilot study

“…However, they did not present any significant improvement after 1 month of patients' CPAP therapy [18]. On the other hand, the study by Armstrong demonstrated a significant improvement in the quality of life in both patients and their partners after successful surgery for simple snoring [19]. Most previous studies focused on the [3-6, 18, 19].…”

“…On the other hand, CPAP use is lower among patients in whom seeking treatment is initiated by partners [22]. As in the group of mild-to-moderate OSAHS, the use of CPAP is rather controversial, and surgical treatment may provide considerable benefits for the patients' psychological condition as well as for their bed partners [8,19,23,24].…”

The attitudes of general dental practitioners and medical specialists to the provision of intra–oral appliances for the management of snoring and sleep apnoea

“…The noise of snoring can cause signifi cant marital and social problems and lead to sleep deprivation for the sleep partner. 1 Sleep apnoea, or more specifi cally obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA), is a more serious problem as the apnoeic episodes lead to reduced blood oxygen saturation and cardiovascular problems (particularly hypertension) in the long term. 2 OSA also causes signifi cant daytime sleepiness, with impaired daytime functioning and increased risk of road traffi c accidents.…”