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Body mass index less than 28 kg/m 2 is a predictor of subjective improvement after laser‐assisted uvulopalatoplasty for snoring
Author(s) -
Rollheim Jan,
Miljeteig Harald,
Osnes Terje
Publication year - 1999
Publication title -
the laryngoscope
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.181
H-Index - 148
eISSN - 1531-4995
pISSN - 0023-852X
DOI - 10.1097/00005537-199903000-00013
Subject(s) - body mass index , index (typography) , laser , medicine , nuclear medicine , zoology , physics , optics , computer science , biology , world wide web
Objective/Hypothesis : To investigate whether body mass index (BMI) can be used to predict subjective improvement of snoring after laser‐assisted uvulopalatoplasty (LAUP). Study Design : One hundred nineteen consecutive adult patients who had LAUP performed for socially disruptive snoring were contacted by mail 3 months after surgery and asked to complete a questionnaire with the following alternatives as to the effect of surgery on their snoring: no improvement (1); some improvement (2); moderate improvement (3); substantial improvement (4) and abolished snoring (5). Patients reporting to categories 3, 4, or 5 were referred to as responders and to categories 1 or 2 as nonresponders. Seventy patients (59%) completed the questionnaire. Methods : A one‐stage LAUP was performed with local anesthesia in an outpatient ear, nose, and throat clinic with a CO 2 laser. Patients were divided into two categories with BMI above and below 28 kg/m 2 at the time of surgery. Results : BMI correlated significantly with subjective postoperative improvement. ( R = 0.29; P < .02; Pearson's correlation test). Odds ratio (OR) for success by BMI less than 28 kg/m 2 compared to patients with BMI greater than 28 kg/m 2 was 4.8 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.48–15.53). Conclusions : BMI is a simple, yet important predictor of subjective reduction of snoring after LAUP and should be considered before performing such surgery.