Body mass index less than 28 kg/m(2) is a predictor of subjective improvement after laser-assisted uvulopalatoplasty for snoring

Objective/Hypothesis: To investigate whether body mass index (BMI) can be u sed to predict subjective improvement of snoring after laser-assisted uvulo palatoplasty (LAUP). Study Design: One hundred nineteen consecutive adult p atients who had LAUP performed for socially disruptive snoring were contact ed by mail 3 months after surgery and asked to complete a questionnaire wit h the following alternatives as to the effect of surgery on their snoring: no improvement (1); some improvement (2); moderate improvement (3); substan tial improvement (4) and abolished snoring (5), Patients reporting to categ ories 3, 4, or 5 were referred to as responders and to categories 1 or 2 as nonresponders, Seventy patients (59%) completed the questionnaire. Methods : A one-stage LAUP was performed with local anesthesia in an outpatient ear , nose, and throat clinic with a CO2 laser. Patients were divided into two categories with BMI above and below 28 kg/m(2) at the time of surgery. Resu lts: BMI correlated significantly with subjective postoperative improvement . (R = 0.29; P < .02; Pearson's correlation test). Odds ratio (OR) for succ ess by BMI less than 28 kg/m(2) compared to patients with BMI greater than 28 kg/m(2) was 4.8 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.48-15.53). Conclusions: BMI is a simple, yet important predictor of subjective reduction of snorin g after LAUP and should be considered before performing such surgery.