Effect of adenotonsillectomy in children with obstructive sleep apnea and major psychiatric disorders on obstructive apnea-hypopnea index and Epworth Sleepiness Scale scores

This study evaluates the effectiveness of adenotonsillectomy in the treatment of obstructive sleep apnea in children with major psychiatric disorders as measured by polysomnography and the Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS) at a tertiary children's hospital. Adults with major psychiatric disorders often have higher rates of obstructive sleep apnea and decreased response to treatment. The goal was to determine if children with serious mental illness had outcomes similar to their adult counterparts. A retrospective chart review was undertaken to identify children with obstructive sleep apnea and major psychiatric disorders who underwent adenotonsillectomy as part of their treatment for obstructive sleep apnea and had undergone preoperative and postoperative polysomnography as well as ESS. A multivariable model was run for each of the postoperative outcomes (ESS, obstructive apnea-hypopnea index, or body mass index percentile), adjusting for their respective preoperative value, age, and group. There were 34 patients who qualified for this study and who were matched with 66 controls. There was no significant difference between the 2 groups in terms of change in ESS, obstructive apnea-hypopnea index, or body mass index percentile, both before and after adjusting for age. The only significant findings were that preoperative ESS and body mass index percentile were predictive of postoperative ESS and body mass index percentile for both groups. Children with psychiatric disorders in our institution respond to surgical management of obstructive sleep apnea similar to pediatric controls without mental illness despite comorbidities and central-acting medications that may alter sleep.