Avaliação do tratamento de crianças portadoras da síndrome de apneia e hipopnéia obstrutiva do sono com o uso de um aparelho intraoral disfunção temporomandibular e dor orofacial

Abstract

It is well known that Oral Appliance (OA) are efficient for the treatment of Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA) in adults. However, evidence for its use in children is still debated. Although surgery is the standard treatment for OSA in this population, OA may be an alternative in situations where there are no clinical conditions for surgical procedures or when this is not an immediate option. Positioning the jaw in a protrusive position during sleep, the devices prevent the collapse of the pharynx. The objective of the present study was to evaluate the efficacy of an OA for the treatment of OSA in pediatric patients. Patients aged between 5 and 12 years, on the waiting list for adenoamigdalectomy, were selected in the outpatient clinic of otorhinolaryngology of two university hospitals. Dental conditions, as well as sleep bruxism (SB), signs and symptoms of temporomandibular disorders, according to the Research Diagnostic Criteria (RDC/TMD) were analyzed, and a sleep questionnaire was applied. The clinical diagnosis of OSA was confirmed through an exam of home portable polysomnography (ApneaLink™, version 9.00, ResMed Corporation). All the exams were revised by one of the researchers, following the 2005 guidelines of the American Academy of Sleep Medicine. After the diagnosis was confirmed, the OA was made in the School of Odontology. A new portable study was performed after 60 days of use of the OA. Eighteen individuals were evaluated; mean age was 8.39 years. Initial mean respiratory disorder index (RDI) was 10 events/hour (interval 3-39 events/hour), when compared to 3 events/hour (interval 0-11 events/hour) using the IOD (p<0.001, Wilcoxon Signed-Rank Test). The SpO2 Nadir increased from 83.5% (interval of 65%-93%) to 89.5% (interval of 79-95%), after the use of OA (P 0.002). The number of episodes of snoring also decreased with the treatment (p<0.001). No complaints were reported during the follow-up. With regard to the BiteStrip, a reduction of 66 % was observed in the prevalence of patients with SB. The report of parents when answering the sleep questionnaire showed significant improvement in all aspects analyzed. In special or individualized circumstances, OA may be considered an alternative for the treatment of children with OSA.