Severity of obstructive sleep apnea syndrome and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein reduced after relocation...

To report improvement of obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS) and changes of high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) concentrations after relocation pharyngoplasty (RP), a high variant of uvulopalatopharyngoplasty.

Prospective comparative study.

Tertiary referral center.

Thirty consecutive OSAS patients without a preexisting diagnosis of cardiovascular disease who underwent RP were assessed for body mass index (BMI), Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS), sleep apnea-hypopnea index (AHI), and serum levels of hs-CRP at baseline and 6 months postoperatively.

Of the subjects, the mean values of age, BMI, ESS, AHI, and hs-CRP were 39.5 ± 7.0 years, 27.5 ± 4.5 kg/m(2), 10.8 ± 4.2, 46.2 ± 22.9 events/hour, and 2.06 ± 1.78 mg/L, respectively. After 6 months postoperatively, RP reduced the ESS (Δ = -4.3 ± 4.5, P < .001) and AHI (Δ = -28.3 ± 21.1, P < .001) and levels of hs-CRP (Δ = -0.67 ± 1.36, P = .012) significantly, whereas BMI measurements were indifferent (Δ = -0.42 ± 1.28, P = .073). Moreover, the changes of AHI and hs-CRP were particularly remarkable in patients with very severe OSAS (AHI ≥60).

Although many OSAS patients remain in the mild-moderate category, equivalent improvements in excessive daytime sleepiness and reductions of hs-CRP concentrations indicate that reduction of AHI is not all that matters after RP.