An epidemiological survey of obstructive sleep apnea-hypopnea syndrome among edentulous population based on modified Berlin questionnaire.

PURPOSE: This study aims to investigate the percentage of people in high risk of obstructive sleep apnea-hypopnea syndrome (OSAHS) in edentulous population using the modified Berlin questionnaire (MBQ), to identify sex difference in percentage of edentulous people at high risk of OSAHS, and to analyze the occurrence rate of OSAHS-related symptoms that were not included in the MBQ in this group of people. METHODS: Five hundred and forty patients (edentulous in mandible or maxilla or both) were recruited to participate in this study. Demographic information, nocturnal denture wearing habit, and sleeping posture were recorded. Meanwhile, subjects completed the MBQ in which participants' snoring behavior, wake-time sleepiness or fatigue, and the presence of obesity or hypertension were investigated. RESULTS: Four hundred qualified questionnaires were obtained. According to the MBQ, about 31 % of the subjects were classified at high risk of OSAHS. No significant difference in the percentage of people at high risk of OSAHS was found between male and female groups. Dry or sore mouth and throat, polyuria during sleep, and difficult to fall asleep/easy to wake up showed high occurrence rate equal to or higher than 60 % in the high-risk group. CONCLUSIONS: According to the MBQ, about 31 % of the edentulous population was identified as high risk of OSAHS. Equal attention should be given to elderly edentulous female and male since they are at the same level of risk of developing OSAHS.