13 Oct 2023 • Oral appliance therapy may be a promising alternative to continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) in elderly patients with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), a pilot study suggested. The pilot study was presented at the CHEST annual meeting by Dr. Eliza Thompson from the Mayo Clinic.

• The study involved 57 patients aged 65 and older, diagnosed with OSA through various diagnostic methods.
• Among those with mild-to-moderate OSA, 52% experienced a ≥50% reduction in their Apnea-Hypopnea Index (AHI) scores with oral appliance treatment, while 50% of those with severe OSA also saw a similar reduction.
• Additionally, both groups showed improvements in daytime sleepiness as measured by the Epworth Sleepiness Scale.
• The study highlights that oral appliances could provide a more manageable and effective option for OSA treatment in elderly patients who may struggle with CPAP therapy due to factors such as equipment management and frequent nighttime awakenings.

The research team is planning to expand on these findings with further studies involving a larger population of elderly patients, aiming to explore the benefits of oral appliances as a viable CPAP alternative.

Source: MedPage Today | Read full story