Are pulmonary function test suitable to support the choice for a dental brace treatment in patients with sleep apnea?

In this study, 25 patients with obstructive sleep apnea (OSAS) are included. An adjustable mouthpiece will be applied during three different pulmonary function tests: a spirometry, a forced oscillation technique (FOT) and a negative expiratory pressure (NEP). The measurements are performed twice while the subject is lying on his/her back; with the mandible completely protruded and with the mandible completely retracted. The main study objective is to investigate the diagnostic accuracy, expressed as the sensitivity, specificity, negative predictive value and positive predictive value of resistance and flow parameters obtained by spirometry, FOT, and NEP both in protrusion and retraction of the mandible in OSAS patients for the prediction of successful MAD therapy compared to a poly(somno)graph

The difference in resistance and flow parameters obtained by spirometry, forced oscillation technique (FOT) and negative expiratory pressure (NEP) in protrusion and retraction of the mandible in OSAS patients are predictive parameters for successful mandibular advancement device (MAD) therapy.

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Patients will visit the hospital where the three measurements will be performed. Before the measurements are performed, the demographic data is obtained. The measurements are divided into three different measurements: the forced oscillation technique (FOT), negative expiratory pressure (NEP) and the spirometry. During the measurements the patients is wearing an adjustable mouthpiece to enable protrusion and retraction of the mandible. All the measurements are perfored with the mandible in the maximal comfortable retracted and maximal comfortable protrusive position. The measurements are performed while the patient is laying on his back on a flat examination bench with the legs uncrossed. After the three different measurements in lying position, a standard spirometry in sitting position is performed. The vital capacity is measured and also the forced vital capacity during a forced maximal inspiration and expiration. At the end the patient is asked to answer some questions to evaluate their experience with the different measurements.