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| Title |
Patients With Chronic Allergic Rhinitis Are At A Higher Risk For Developing Obstructive Sleep Apnea Syndrome Than Non-Atopic Individuals |
| Clinical Question |
For an atopic individual, does nasal congestion resulting from seasonal allergies place them at a higher risk for developing OSAS than if their nasal cavity was uninhibited? |
| Clinical Bottom Line |
Patients with chronic allergic rhinitis are at a higher risk for developing obstructive sleep apnea syndrome than non-atopic individuals. This is supported by several reviews of case studies that monitored patients with allergic rhinitis during their sleep. While causality was established, more research needs to be done to determine the precise role of the nasal cavity in maintaining pharyngeal patency. |
| Best Evidence |
(you may view more info by clicking on the PubMed ID link) |
| PubMed ID |
Author / Year |
Patient Group |
Study type
(level of evidence) |
| #1) 15056401 | Staevska/2004 | Allergic rhinitis patients | Review | | Key results | While sleep apnea events were lower in patients with allergic rhinitis than those with obstructive sleep apnea syndrome, AR patients show difficulty falling asleep, greater daytime sleepiness, and many nocturnal arousals. Allergic rhinitis may be a pathogenic factor of OSAS. | | #2) 11449201 | Lack/2001 | Pediatric allergic rhinitis patients | Review | | Key results | Chronic allergic rhinitis during childhood increases the risk of developing obstructive sleep apnea syndrome. For children identified as nighttime snorers, OSAS was 50% more frequent in the atopic children than those that were not. | | #3) 21621050 | Scoose/2011 | Allergic rhinitis patients | Review | | Key results | While allergic rhinitis is a minor cause of obstructive sleep apnea syndrome, patients with AR have severely disrupted sleep and greater daytime sleepiness. Furthermore, the presence of AR complicates the treatment of obstructive sleep apnea syndrome. | |
| Evidence Search |
Allergic rhinitis and obstructive sleep apnea |
Comments on
The Evidence |
The references used were all review articles, and they analyzed numerous case studies that monitored atopic individuals for obstructive sleep apnea. While a few of the case studies used relatively small patient groups, they seemed to be well-executed and reached logical conclusions. |
| Applicability |
These findings are applicable for patients with chronic allergic rhinitis, especially in pediatric patients. Knowing the implications of rhinitis in regards to sleep quality, as well as how impaired sleep quality affects development and morbidity, can positively influence a patient’s willingness to seek medical help. |
| Specialty/Discipline |
(Public Health) (General Dentistry) (Pediatric Dentistry) (Dental Hygiene) |
| Keywords |
Allergic rhinitis, obstructive sleep apnea
|
| ID# |
2347 |
| Date of submission: |
02/16/2013 |
| E-mail |
dfaltys37@gmail.com |
| Author |
David Faltys |
| Co-author(s) |
Kristopher Koelker |
| Co-author(s) e-mail |
koelker@livemail.uthscsa.edu |
| Faculty mentor/Co-author |
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| Faculty mentor/Co-author e-mail |
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Basic Science Rationale
(Mechanisms that may account for and/or explain the clinical question, i.e. is the answer to the clinical question consistent with basic biological, physical and/or behavioral science principles, laws and research?) |
post a rationale |
| None available | |
|
Comments and Evidence-Based Updates on the CAT
(FOR PRACTICING DENTISTS', FACULTY, RESIDENTS and/or STUDENTS COMMENTS ON PUBLISHED CATs) |
post a comment |
| None available | |
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