During sleep, the muscle tonus in the oropharyngeal space is lost, the tongue might fall back andthe volume of the pharynx decreases. Air cannot pass through as it would in the awake state and thus airflow limitations occur. The person asleep might compensate the flow limitation by breathing faster, which causes the soft tissue to vibrate (= snoring). Further narrowing of the airways can lead to obstructive apneas (complete airway collapse and stopping of airflow). First line therapy for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is positive airway pressure (PAP) that keeps the airways open with a pneumatic splint. Since PAP involves wearing a facial mask that applies air pressure into the airways, some patients cannot tolerate this therapy. These patients might be candidates for an alternative treatment approach with a mandibular advancement device (MAD).
During sleep, the muscles in the oropharyngeal space relax, the tongue falls back and the volume of the pharynx decreases. Air cannot pass through as it would in the awake state and thus airflow limitations occur. Diminishing airflow can lead to snoring or to the airways collapsing completely (obstructive sleep apnea, OSA). Patients who suffer from OSA have trouble breathing during sleep and will have a disturbed sleep architecture as repeated airway closure causes wake reactions and arousals. This does not only lead to severe daytime sleepiness with high risk of causing car accidents, for instance, but also affects synaptic activity during sleep and the balance of blood gas levels. These factors can have a aggravating effect on blood pressure and worsen the prognosis for cardiovascular comorbidities. First line therapy for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is positive airway pressure (PAP) that keeps the airways open with a pneumatic splint. Positive airway pressure is being applied through a facial mask and some patients cannot tolerate this therapy or refuse it. An alternative treatment approach is by fitting an MAD that the patient wears during sleep. An MAD pushes the lower jar forward and thereby increases the volume of the upper airways, thus preventing them to close. Studies have shown good compliance with MAD therapy and benefits in terms of sleepiness and quality of life. The Narval registry study aims to investigate MAD usage in real life and reasons for non-compliance. The registry aims to record patient characteristics (e.g. comorbidities) and side effects that lead to a termination of therapy, but also how the costs for therapy are split between the patient and public or private health insurance providers and how this affects therapy initiation and usage.
Study Type
OBSERVATIONAL
Enrollment
500
Schlaf- und Beatmungszentrum Blaubeuren
Blaubeuren Abbey, Badden-Württemberg, Germany
NOT_YET_RECRUITINGRuhrlandklinik Essen
Essen, North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany
RECRUITINGZentrum für Schlafmedizin Dr. Warmuth
Berlin, Germany
NOT_YET_RECRUITINGUniversitätsklinikum Regensburg - Klinik für Innere Medizin II
Regensburg, Germany
NOT_YET_RECRUITINGChanges of the Apnoea-Hypopnea-Index (AHI) at baseline compared to a follow-up after 3 months
Changes in the number of apnoeas (cessation of airflow) and hypopneas (reduced airflow) at baseline and at follow-up
Time frame: 3 months
Changes in sleep-related quality of life from baseline compared to 3 months follow-up
Changes in sleep-related quality of life assessed with the questionnaire FOSQ (Functional Outcomes of Sleep Questionnaire). The Functional Outcomes of Sleep questionnaire is a "self-report measure designed to assess the impact of disorders of excessive sleepiness on multiple activities of daily living" (Weaver 1997). It consists of 10 questions categorized as General Productivity, Social Outcome, Activity Level, Vigilance, Sexual Activity. The range of scores for any item is 1-4. The potential range of scores for the total score is 5-20, with 5 meaning bad sleep-related quality of life and 20 good sleep-related quality of life. The total score is being calculated by calculating the mean of the subscale scores and then multiply that mean by five. Missing or not applicable answers will not be added when calculating the mean subscale scores.
Time frame: 3 months
Changes in daytime sleepiness from baseline compared to 3 months follow-up
Changes in daytime sleepiness assessed with the Epworth Sleepiness Scale questionnaire (ESS, measures the likelihood of a patient of falling asleep during daytime as self-reported outcome). The ESS is self-reported measure to assess whether a person would be prone to fall asleep in typical daily situations. It consists of 8 questions that can be answered with 0 = would never fall asleep, 1 = slight probability of falling asleep, 2 = moderate probability of falling asleep, 3 = high probability of falling asleep. The scores will be added up to give a total ranging from 0 - 24 and indicating different levels of excessive daytime sleepiness (6-10 higher than normal; 11-12 mild; 13-15 moderate; 16-24 severe).
Time frame: 3 months
Changes in snoring from baseline compared to 3 months follow-up
Changes in snoring assessed with a snoring questionnaire (the Thornton Snoring Scale contains 5 questions about snoring as subjective patient's measure). The Thornton Snoring Scale consists of 5 questions that can be answered with 0 = never, 1 = infrequently, 2 = frequently, 3 = most of the time. The scores will be added and when the sum of all answers is higher than 5, a snoring problem is indicated.
Time frame: 3 months
Usage of the MAD (mandibular advancement device)
Patients will be asked about how long and on how many days they were using the Narval MAD during the follow-up period. Patients will be offered a choice between "usage in total" - every night, 3-4 times a week, 1-2 times a week. Usage per night: Less than 1 hour, 1-3 hours, 4-5 hours.
Time frame: 3 months
Side effects with use of the MAD (mandibular advancement device)
Patients will be asked if they experienced side effects and which kind of side effects: Temporomandibular joint pain, dental pain, hypersalivation, dry mouth, local irritation, inflammation, dental fracture, broken MAD/device defect.
Time frame: 3 months
Document comorbidities of enrolled patients
Patients will be asked for relevant comorbidities (diabetes, hypertension, heart failure)
Time frame: 3 months
Remuneration of a MAD
Patients will be asked whether they bought the MAD themselves or if a public or private healthcare insurance provider paid the expenses
Time frame: 3 months
Satisfaction with therapy
Patients will be asked to rate their satisfaction with therapy on a scale of 1 (bad) to 10 (very good).
Time frame: 3 months
Document sleep disorders of enrolled patients
Sleep disorders will be recorded with a polygraphy or polysomnography (obstructive sleep apnoea, central sleep apnoea)
Time frame: 3 months
Continuation of therapy
Patients will be asked if they are going to continue therapy. Reasons for therapy termination shall be recorded
Time frame: 3 months
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