Hypoglossal nerve stimulation in the treatment of obstructive sleep apnea in down syndrome patients: A systematic review and meta-analysis

Year 2024, Volume: 41 Issue: 2, 407 - 416, 19.05.2024

Yasmeen Jamal Alabdallat Hamza Khaled Alsalhi Benyameen Yacoub Mosa Yousef Hawas Toka Elboraay Ibraheem M. Alkhawaldeh Jaber H. Jaradat Obada Ahmad Abunar Adam M. Abdallah Zaid Kamal

Abstract

Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is highly prevalent in individuals with Down syndrome (DS), affecting more than 50% of this population during childhood and reaching up to 100% in adulthood. This disorder poses significant clinical consequences, including impaired cognitive function, developmental delay, and cardiovascular complications. To address this, direct hypoglossal nerve stimulation (HNS) has been approved as a treatment modality for OSA. Recent studies have shown a significant positive correlation between HNS voltage and post-apnea-hypopnea index (AHI) levels in DS and non-DS patients. However, concerns regarding the reliability of some findings have been raised, emphasizing the need for further research to underline the usefulness of HNS in treating OSA in DS patients. This meta-analysis provides a comprehensive review and analysis of the available case reports, case series, and cohort studies to evaluate the safety and efficacy of HNS in treating OSA in Down syndrome patients.

Keywords

OSA, Down Syndrome, Apnea, Hypoglossal Nerve, stimulation

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