P151 Short-term mandibular advancement splint therapy for Obstructive Sleep Apnoea improves parasympathetic modulation
Abstract Introduction Altered autonomic function (specifically, sympathoexcitation and vagal withdrawal) contributes to cardiovascular risk. Obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA) is associated with altered autonomic function. Heart rate variability (HRV) is a non-invasive measure of autonomic function. We aimed to assess whether short-term OSA treatment with mandibular advancement splints (MAS) improves autonomic function measured by HRV. Methods A retrospective analysis of participants in MAS treatment studies (N=105, 56% male, age, 56±1 years; BMI, 30±5 kg/m2) was undertaken. Nocturnal HRV was assessed using electrocardiograms from pre and post-treatment polysomnograms. HRV was calculated across 2-minute epochs over the entire electrocardiogram and divided into each sleep stage (wake, non-rapid eye movement (NREM), and rapid eye movement (REM)). HRV measures reflecting sympathetic (normalised low frequency (LFnu)), parasympathetic (pNN50%, RMSSD (ms), normalised high frequency (HFnu)), total HRV (SDNN (ms) and HTI) and R-R interval were calculated. Changes in HRV measures following treatment were assessed (paired t-test) and compared to AHI change (linear regression, with adjustment for age, sex, BMI). Results Following MAS treatment, HTI increased (14.78±39.99, p=0.008), and LFnu reduced during wake (-0.43±38.18, p=0.03). Linear regression, showed AHI reduction related to increased R-R interval during wake (-0.002, 0.001), p=0.009) [unstandardised β/SE] and REM (-0.002, 0.001) [unstandardised β/SE], p=0.008), and increased pNN50% during wake (-0.24, 0.08), p=0.005) [unstandardised β/SE] suggesting MAS efficacy relates to these improvements. Conclusion We found evidence of reduced sympathetic and increased parasympathetic modulation, following short-term MAS therapy. This suggests MAS therapy has potential to improve cardiac autonomic function and hence reduce cardiovascular risk.