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Lookup NU author(s): Helen Richardson, Dr Michael DrinnanORCiD, Dr Clive Griffiths, Emeritus Professor John Gibson
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Psychometric tests are an objective way of examining cognitive functioning, and have shown impairment in patients with obstructive sleep apnoea. Non-apnoeic snoring may cause reduced concentration, but psychometric tests have been used rarely in this population. We investigate whether their use can demonstrate an improvement in cognitive performance in 20 non-apnoeic snorers following Laser Palatoplasty (LPP). The subjects completed psychometric tests, Beck Anxiety and Depression Inventories and an Epworth Sleepiness Scale on two occasions before LPP and once postoperatively. The only index to show any significant change with LPP was the Beck Depression Inventory (P < 0.005), which was reduced by a mean of 1.6 units following surgery. There was also a highly significant improvement in information processing between the preoperative tests, for which no explanation could be found. Our results suggest that commonly applied psychometric tests are unable to demonstrate significant improvements following surgery for non-apnoeic snoring. However, we have demonstrated for the first time a significant reduction in depression following surgery, which is evidence that snoring is more than a social nuisance.
Author(s): Drinnan MJ; Gibson GJ; Griffiths CJ; Richardson HC; Close PR; White JES
Publication type: Article
Publication status: Published
Journal: Clinical Otolaryngology
Year: 1999
Volume: 24
Issue: 4
Pages: 339-342
ISSN (print): 1749-4478
ISSN (electronic): 1749-4486
Publisher: Wiley-Blackwell Publishing Ltd.
URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.1046/j.1365-2273.1999.00269.x
DOI: 10.1046/j.1365-2273.1999.00269.x
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