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76th Annual Meeting of the German Society of Oto-Rhino-Laryngology, Head and Neck Surgery

German Society of Oto-Rhino-Laryngology, Head and Neck Surgery

04.05. - 08.05.2005, Erfurt

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Frequency Analysis of Snoring as a Diagnostic Method in the Upper Airway Resistance Syndrome

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  • corresponding author Michael Herzog - Klinik und Poliklinik für Hals-, Nasen- und Ohrenkranke, Universitätsklinikum Würzburg, Germany
  • Till Metz - Klinik und Poliklinik für Hals-, Nasen- und Ohrenkranke, Universitätsklinikum Würzburg, Germany
  • Andreas Schmidt - Klinik und Poliklinik für Hals-, Nasen- und Ohrenkranke, Universitätsklinikum Würzburg, Germany

Deutsche Gesellschaft für Hals-Nasen-Ohren-Heilkunde, Kopf- und Hals-Chirurgie. 76. Jahresversammlung der Deutschen Gesellschaft für Hals-Nasen-Ohren-Heilkunde, Kopf- und Hals-Chirurgie e.V.. Erfurt, 04.-08.05.2005. Düsseldorf, Köln: German Medical Science; 2005. Doc05hno147

The electronic version of this article is the complete one and can be found online at: http://www.egms.de/en/meetings/hno2005/05hno235.shtml

Published: September 22, 2005

© 2005 Herzog et al.
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Outline

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Introduction: The Upper Airway Resistance Syndrome (UARS) as a nocturnal breathing disorder needs to be distinguished from other breathing abnormalities like primary snoring and obstructive sleep apnea (OSAS). The diagnostic method of choice is the intrathoracal pressure measurement via esophageal pressure monitoring. Due to the invasive character of this procedure it is not frequently used. Apart from this diagnostic tool several polysomnographic criteria like arousals, blood oxygen saturation, heartfrequency and patterns of breathing might be used to separate the UARS from primary snoring and OSAS.

Methods: Aim of the study was to introduce the frequency analysis of snoring sounds as an alternative to esophageal pressure measurement in the diagnostic procedure in nocturnal breathing disorders. The obtained polysomnogrphic date were evaluated retrospectively and correlated with the recorded and analysed sounds of snoring.

Results: It could be demonstrated that patients with UARS had different sounds of snoring than patients with primary snoring and OSAS. The peak frequency of UARS and OSAS patients was higher (3000 – 4000 Hz) than in primary snoring patients (100 – 400 Hz). Patients with UARS and primary snoring had regular snoring patterns in contrast to irregular snoring in OSAS patients. In combination with the polysomnographic data like paradox breathing, oxygen desaturation, changes in the heart rate and arousals the analysed snoring sounds contribute to the diagnostic procedure in patients with nocturnal breathing disorders.

Conclusion: Frequency analysis of snoring can be regarded as a useful diagnostic method in patients with UARS.