Changes in emotional state of snoring and obstructive sleep apnea patients following radiofrequency tissue ablation

Abstract

A total of 37 primary snoring and obstructive sleep apnea hypopnea syndrome (OSAHS) patients were treated with two sessions of radiofrequency tissue ablation (RFTA) to assess the relationship among RFTA and sleepiness, anxiety and depression in patients with OSAHS. Patients' sleepiness was rated according to the Epworth sleepiness scale (ESS), anxiety--on Spielberg's trait-state anxiety inventory scale and depression degree--with Beck depression inventory-second edition scale and the patients' major complaints were evaluated using visual analog scales before and after the treatment. A remarkable decrease in patients' complaints, sleepiness and depression after RFTA was observed. The ESS mean score decreased from 9.3 +/- 3.4 to 7.14 +/- 3.2 points (P < 0.05) and Beck depression index mean value decreased from 14.2 +/- 10.8 to 8.7 +/- 7.6 points (P < 0.05), respectively. RFTA is a treatment of choice for snoring and mild to moderate OSAHS. Reduction of sleepiness and depression was statistically significant after RFTA.