INFLUENCE OF UVULOPALATOPHARYNGOPLASTY ON ALPHA-EEG AROUSALS IN NONAPNEIC SNORERS

Arousals are more numerous in heavy snorers than in nonsnorers and mig ht be a cause of excessive daytime sleepiness (EDS) in these patients. The present study investigated whether treatment of snoring by uvulop alatopharyngoplasty (UPPP) had an influence on sleep microstructure in nonapnoeic snorers. The polysomnographic records of 10 nonapnoeic sno rers were reviewed retrospectively and arousals scored according to th e American Sleep Disorders Association (ASDA) 3 s definition. Scores f or snoring, EDS and polysomnographic data were compared before and aft er UPPP (mean (+/-SD) time interval 249+/-183 days). UPPP resulted in a subjective improvement of snoring and a significant decrease in the arousal index (mean 14.6, 95% confidence interval (95% CI) 8.5-20.8 vs mean 9.1, 95% CI 6.6-11.5) (p=0.01). EDS and the amount of slow-wave sleep remained unchanged. Uvulopalatopharyngoplasty resulted in an imp rovement of subjective snoring and a significant decrease of arousals in nonapnoeic snorers. Although these data do not provide any insight into whether the improvement observed can be maintained on a long-term basis, uvulopalatopharyngoplasty can be considered as a useful treatm ent modality to reduce sleep fragmentation and snoring in nonapnoeic s norers. (C)ERS Journals Ltd 1997.