[Usefulness of the basic exploration of the upper airways and neighbor structures in patients with adult obstructive sleep apnea-hypopnea syndrome]

Abstract

Obstructive sleep apnea-hypopnea syndrome (OSAHS) is a prevalent disease in the general population, associated with an increase in the cardiovascular morbimortality. A basic and/or standardized otolaryngologic exploration could help us to detect the structural abnormalities that alter the upper airway collapsibility and offer a high pre-test risk factor, improve the CPAP adherence or even the possibility of offering alternative treatments. This article offers a revision of the exploration in OSAHS patients. We describe a guideline to identify the main structural abnormalities related to OSAHS. We also include a short algorithm for the diagnosis of OSAHS, when is suspected by primary care physicians.

Keywords: Apnea del sueño; Exploración; Obstructive sleep apnea-hypopnea syndrome; Physical exploration; Sleep apnea; Síndrome apnea-hipopnea obstructiva del sueño.