Predictors of epiglottic collapse on obstructive sleep apnea syndrome
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.34631/sporl.3194Keywords:
Epiglottis, Collapse, DISE, OSA, FTPAbstract
Objectives: To evaluate whether there is a correlation between the presence of epiglottic collapse and demographic, anthropometric, polysomnographic and Drug Induced Sleep Endoscopy (DISE) derived variables.
Study Design: Retrospective observational study.
Material and Methods: Patients with obstructive sleep apnea who underwent DISE in 2025. The VOTE classification was used, with epiglottic collapse defined as present (E+) if complete collapse (2+) occurred.
Results: Seventy-five patients were included, of whom 27% (n=20) had E+. Significant differences were found in the distribution of Friedman Tongue Position (FTP) between patients with and without epiglottic collapse (p=0.037). In the multivariable logistic regression, only FTP was independently associated with epiglottic collapse (OR 3.39; p=0.011), whereas age, sex, body mass index, neck circumference and apnea/hypopnea index did not show a significant association.
Conclusions: FTP was the only independent predictor, suggesting that a higher tongue position predisposes to epiglottic collapse.
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Copyright (c) 2026 João Rainha Fernandes, Daniela Serras, Constança Oom, João Barbosa, Bárbara Roque, Carlos Macor
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