Predicting the outcome after adenoidectomy-alone for adenoid hypertrophy causing sleep disordered breathing

By using preoperative parameters age, body mass index, nasopharyngeal obstruction as assessed using flexible videonasopharyngoscopy, and quality of life scores in patients undergoing adenoidectomy-alone because of adenoid hypertrophy causing sleep disordered breathing, we aimed to examine the relationship between the change in quality of life scores, and preoperative parameters and to develop a tool to predict the change.

Patients who were scheduled for adenoidectomy-alone in a 12-month period were included. Flexible videnonasopharyngoscopy of the nasopharynx was performed. Nasopharyngeal obstruction was measured by using Image J software. Preoperative quality of life was evaluated using OSA-18 quality of life survey. OSA-18 survey has 5 subcategories consisting of sleep disturbance (O1), physical suffering (O2), emotional distress (O3), daytime problems (O4), caregiver concerns (O5). A question about the overall quality of life(O6) was added. Postoperative OSA-18 domain scores were obtained at the 3-month-follow-up. Preoperative OSA-18 subscores were compared to postoperative subscores. Linear regression analysis to predict the proportional change in OSA-18 subscores was performed.

Our study group consisted of 94 cases. Mean postoperative O1, O2,O3, O4 and O5 scores were significantly lower compared to the preoperative scores. Mean postoperative O6 score was significantly higher. Linear regression analysis was carried out for predicting change in O1(r2 = 0.686; p = 0.006), O5(r2 = 0.711; p = 0.003) and O6(r2 = 0.757; p = 0.001).

Change in quality of life scores for sleep disturbance, physical suffering and general quality of life may be predicted by using preoperative parameters.