Study of impact of surgical intervention (adenotonsillectomy) and conservative management on quality of life in patients with SDB
<p class="abstract"><strong>Background:</strong> <span lang="EN-IN">SDB is an important cause of morbidity in children. SDB has been associated with decreased quality of life (QOL). In this study, we tried to determine The impact of surgical intervention (adenotonsillectomy) and conservative management on quality of life in patients with SDB. </span></p><p class="abstract"><strong>Methods:</strong> <span lang="EN-IN">A total of 112 pediatric patients were included with SDB, who visited our OPD. Diagnostic methods include history and physical examination, audiotaping or videotaping, pulse oximetry. OSA 18 questionnaire was used to assess the quality of life with conservative treatment (pre and post-treatment) and after surgical intervention-before and after adenoidectomy or adenotonsillectomy. </span></p><p class="abstract"><strong>Results:</strong> <span lang="EN-IN">We had 112 patients with majority being males 69 (61.60%) and females 43 (38.30%), majority of patients were in the age group of 5-7 yrs (49.10%). In 47 patients (who underwent adenotonsillectomy/tonsillectomy), OSA-18 questionnaire was used pre-operatively, at 2 and 6 months. OSA-18 when used pre-operatively showed majority of patients 33 (70.21%) having score >80, and 14 (29.79%) patients having score between 60-80. No patient was below 60 score. Mean OSA-18 score pre-operatively was 84.15. OSA-18 score at 2 months and at 6 months were 30.06 and 26.40 respectively, which showed a lot of improvement in post-operative score and hence the post –operative quality of life. In 65 patients (conservative treatment) OSA-18 was used pre-conservative, at 2 and 6 months of treatment. OSA-18 when used before conservative treatment<strong> </strong>showed majority of patients 44 (67.6 9%) having score 60-80, and 21 (32.30%) patients having score between >80. No patient was below 60 score. OSA-18 score at 2 months showed improvement in 69.23% patients (<40), OSA-18 at 6 months showed recurrence in 12.33% patients. </span></p><p class="abstract"><strong>Conclusions:</strong> <span lang="EN-IN">SDB substantially impact QOL in pediatric patients. QOL significantly improves following adenotonsillectomy. There is subset of patients 12.33% with SDB in whom there was recurrence of symptoms after conservative treatment. Thus showing that conservative management is inferior to surgical management in the treatment of SDB. SDB improved after an observation period. Thus, observation with close follow-up is another treatment option.</span></p><p> </p>