Obstructive sleep apnoea syndrome: treatment update

DSC Hui, DKL Choy, FWS Ko, TST Li, CKW Lai
Division of Respiratory Medicine, Department of Medicine and Therapeutics, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Prince of Wales Hospital, Shatin, Hong Kong

Obstructive sleep apnoea syndrome is a common but underrecognised disorder with associated substantial morbidity and mortality. Excessive daytime sleepiness caused by the disorder leads to poor work performance and increases the risk of an individual having an automobile accident. The main objective of treatment for sleep apnoea is the relief of disabling daytime sleepiness and the improvement of quality of life. Conservative measures such as weight reduction and the avoidance of alcohol should be initiated when appropriate. Nasal continuous positive airway pressure devices have remained the standard treatment since it was first introduced in 1981. Oral appliances provide an alternative treatment choice in mild-to-moderate cases, whereas surgery is useful in selected cases.

Hong Kong Med J 2000;6:209-17

Key words: Orthodontic appliances; Positive-pressure respiration; Sleep apnea, obstructive/therapy; Snoring/surgery