The predictive value of Muller's maneuvre for CPAP titration in OSAHS patients

To investigate the role of awake upper airways (UA) endoscopy assessment as a parameter of prediction for CPAP titration in OSAHS patient therapy. Retrospective analysis of UA endoscopic assessment with Mueller's maneuvre and the application of the nose oropharynx hypopharynx score (NOHs) was conducted to obtain a numeric score representing the grade of severity of UA obstruction. Other commonly used predictive parameters for CPAP titration were also included in the study: anthropometric [BMI, neck circumference (NC)] and polysomnographic parameters (AHI, ODI). 3 groups of patients were identified: (1) 67/90 patients requiring intermediate CPAP values, (2) 13/90 patients requiring high CPAP values, and (3) 10/90 patients requiring low pressure values. BMI (p = 0.0013) was the only monitored parameter to show significant statistical value as a CPAP titration predictor. However, higher values of anthropometric parameters (NOHs ≥9, BMI >35, NC >45) showed a sensitivity of 69.2% as a single parameter and 76.9% as combined parameters, and specificity between 66.2 and 72.7% as a single parameter and 43.4% as combined parameters, unequivocally identifying patients requiring high therapeutic CPAP value. A lower cut-off of anthropometric parameters (NOHs ≤6, BMI ≤29, NC <42) showed sensitivity between 40 and 60% as a single parameter and of 90% as combined parameters, and specificity between 68.7 and 80.2% as a single parameter which increased to 93.7% as combined parameters, identifying patients requiring a low therapeutic CPAP value. The results show that anthropometric and polygraphic parameters have no significant independent predictive value for CPAP titration, with the exception of BMI. However, anthropometric parameters showed good levels of sensitivity and specificity in OSAHS patients requiring high or low levels of CPAP therapy.