Effectiveness of hypoglossal nerve stimulation in the treatment of obstructive sleep apnea

Abstract

Abstract Obstructive sleep apnea is the most common respiratory sleep disorder and its incidence is increasing due to the obesity epidemic and aging population. It has been estimated that symptomatic OSA affects up to 10% of middle-aged men and 3% of middle-aged women. OSA is caused by recurrent incidents of upper airway obstruction while sleep that lead to periodic oxyhemoglobin desaturations and arousals from sleep. Disturbances in sleep and oxygenation are believed to be responsible for the major clinical manifestations of this disorder, which include excessive daytime sleepiness, arterial and pulmonary hypertension, and cardiopulmonary failure. Untreated OSA has been linked to neurocognitive impairment and motor vehicle accidents. The aim of therapy is to avert or alleviate the clinical squeals of this disorder by relieving upper airway obstruction during sleep. One of the most effective options of treatment is the Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP), but adherence to the therapy is often poor despite efforts to improve it. Low adherence rates of 39% to 50% over time limit its effectiveness and result in a significant number of untreated patients with symptomatic OSA.