Objective and Subjective Outcomes Following Radiofrequency of Inferior Turbinates in Patients with Sleep-Disordered...

Area of Science:

• Otolaryngology
• Sleep Medicine
• Rhinology

Background:

• Nasal obstruction is a common issue for patients with sleep-disordered breathing (SDB).
• Radiofrequency of the inferior turbinates (RFIT) is a frequent method for inferior turbinate (IT) reduction.
• The efficacy of RFIT in SDB patients is not well-established.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess the long-term objective and subjective outcomes of nasal airways, olfactory function, and sleep in SDB patients following RFIT.

Main Methods:

• Seventeen SDB patients underwent RFIT and were evaluated at baseline and at 3, 6, and 12 months post-procedure.
• Objective and subjective assessments included nasal airway evaluation, smell function tests, quality-of-life questionnaires, and sleep studies (at baseline and 6 months).

Main Results:

• A significant short-term improvement in nasal airways was observed at 3 months post-RFIT.
• No other significant long-term changes in nasal airways, smell, sleep parameters, or patient-reported outcomes were noted.
• Multivariate analysis indicated that age, sex, BMI, septal deviation, and allergic rhinitis influenced study parameters.

Conclusions:

• The benefits of RFIT as a standalone treatment for SDB patients appear limited, potentially only providing short-term relief.
• Patient-specific variables play a role in determining the overall effectiveness of RFIT.