Kulak Burun Bogaz Ihtis Derg 2016 ;26(1):12-8
Department of Otolaryngology, Başkent University Alanya Application and Research Center, 07400 Alanya, Antalya, Turkey.
Objectives: This study aims to investigate the possible relationship between passive rhinomanometry measurements in sitting and supine position and obstructive sleep apnea syndrome.
Patients And Methods: Between January 2011 and December 2013, 88 male patients (mean age 46.8 years; range 18 to 79 years) underwent passive rhinomanometry in sitting and supine position following history, physical examination and fiberoptic endoscopic examination. 1.5 lt/sn air flow was pumped into the nose of each patient via a silicone nasal mask. Meanwhile, flow and pressure values were measured.
Results: There was no correlation between the resistance values and apnea hypopnea index (AHI) scores and polysomnography and physical examination parameters (p>0.05). The differential resistance was correlated with AHI (r=0.325, p<0.05), body mass index (r=0.324, p<0.05), neck circumference (r=0.421, p<0.01), waist circumference (r=0.444, p<0.01), modified Mallampati score (r=0.356, p<0.05), and retropalatal grade (r=0.438, p<0.01).
Conclusion: The correlation between the differential resistance and physical examination parameters and AHI scores support the hypothesis that position-related retropalatal segment alterations can be measured by passive rhinomanometry while awake.