The relationship between AHI, Epworth scores and sleep endoscopy in patients with OSAS

This prospective study aimed to evaluate the relationship between sleep endoscopy findings, the apnea–hypopnea index (AHI) or the Epworth sleepiness scale in patients and obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS). Patients with symptoms of OSAS were searched, and their polysomnography findings, Epworth sleepiness scales and sleep endoscopy findings were recorded. Those who were diagnosed with mild, moderate or heavy OSAS were included in the study. Patients included in the study were observed under sedative-induced sleep in the operation room using flexible nasopharyngoscopy. The obstruction levels and degrees were recorded and compared with other variables. Of the 88 patients included in the study, 67 (76.1 %) were male, and 21 (23.9 %) were female. The mean age (±standard deviation) of all 88 patients was 43.77 ± 10.07 years (range 21–65 years). Sleep endoscopy findings were classified as uvulopalatal, lateral pharyngeal, tongue base and laryngeal collapses. The Epworth sleepiness scale showed no significant correlation with the sleep endoscopy findings. No significant relationship was found between the AHI and collapses in the uvulopalatal, lateral and laryngeal zones (p > 0.05). However, tongue base collapse was correlated with AHI (p < 0.05). AHI increased with the degree of collapse in the tongue base. No meaningful relationship was noted among the Epworth sleepiness scale, AHI, and number of involved zones (p > 0.05). The degree of collapse in the related zones was not meaningfully associated with AHI, which is accepted as the indicator of disease severity.