Sleep Bruxism as a Protective Factor in the Mild and Moderate Obstructive Sleep Apnea: A Polysomnographic Study

Area of Science:

• Sleep Medicine
• Respiratory Physiology

Background:

• Sleep bruxism (SB) is often hypothesized to have protective effects against obstructive sleep apnea (OSA).
• Existing literature suggests SB may shorten the duration of respiratory events in OSA patients.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the alleged protective effects of SB on respiratory event duration and blood oxygen saturation in mild to moderate OSA patients.
• To analyze the relationship between SB severity and OSA metrics.

Main Methods:

• Polysomnography data from 241 mild to moderate OSA patients were evaluated.
• Two cut-off points for SB diagnosis were used: Bruxism Episodes Index (BEI) ≥ 2 and BEI ≥ 4.
• Apnea-hypopnea duration, oxygen desaturation index, snore percentage, and average pulse were analyzed.

Main Results:

• SB patients (BEI ≥ 2 and BEI ≥ 4) showed a significantly increased duration of hypopnea and apnea+hypopnea events.
• The oxygen desaturation index decreased in SB patients (BEI ≥ 2).
• Snore percentage and average pulse were lower in SB groups (BEI ≥ 4 and BEI ≥ 2, respectively).

Conclusions:

• The findings contradict the hypothesis that SB shortens respiratory events in OSA.
• SB's protective properties in OSA may be limited or diminish over time.
• The relationship between SB and OSA is complex and requires further extensive research.