Effects of the mandibular advancement device on daytime sleepiness, quality of life and polysomnographic profile of public transport drivers with obstructive sleep apnea syndrome

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effects of the mandibular advancement device (MAD) on daytime sleepiness, quality of life (QoL) and polysomnographic profile of intercity transport drivers with obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS). MATERIAL AND METHODS: A quasi-experimental study evaluating intercity transport drivers from March to September 2019. The apnea-hypopnea index (AHI) was evaluated by type III polysomnography, which defined the severity of the disease. OSAS: mild (5 to 15), moderate (15 to 29), or severe (= 30). Sleepiness was assessed using the Epworth sleepiness scale, consisting of 8 questions about the likelihood of drowsiness in daily situations. QoL was assessed using the SF-36 questionnaire, which provides the score in eight domains: functional capacity, physical aspects, pain, general health status, vitality, social aspects, emotional aspects, and mental health. Drivers with OSAS underwent intervention with application of personalized MAD for 8 to 12 weeks. RESULTS: The total sample (n=23) (44.77±11.56 years) had a body mass index (BMI) of 30.64±4.66kg/m2, and an OSAS prevalence of 65.2% of drivers (n=15). There were losses of 4 drivers so that the final sample of drivers with OSAS for the intervention with the MAD was 11 individuals, with an average age of 45.54±9.41 years and BMI of 32.21±3.17kg/m². There was a decrease in AHI (28.51±15.66ev/h 012.11±6.70ev/h, p=0.002) and pain (60 (50-60)040 (40-50), p=0.015) after the intervention. CONCLUSION: There was a reduction in AHI in intercity transport drivers after implementing the MAD procedure.