Correlation between the Friedman Classification and the Apnea-Hypopnea Index in a population with OSAHS

ABSTRACT: OSAHS is an important disease in current medical settings because of its association with chronic cardiovascular diseases and socioeconomic impacts. AIMS: to establish the correlation between the Friedman Classification and the OSAHS severity through the Apnea-Hypopnea Index) in patients with OSAHS for assessment and surgery purposes. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Cross-sectional study. We evaluated and classified 143 patients, using the Epworth's and Friedman's scale and OSAHS severity according to the AHI. RESULTS: 112 patients were submitted to polysomnography. We compared the Friedman Score and the IAH. The variables were associated with p<0.05. We found that patients with light OSAHS, tended to have a lower Friedman classification (better surgical result). By the same token, patients with moderate to severe OSAHS had a greater prevalence of Friedman's score of III and IV; p< 0.05 (lower success rates from uvulopalatopharyngoplasty). CONCLUSION: We conclude that the Friedman's classification correlates with OSAHS severity - the higher the Friedman's score, the more severe is the OSAHS.