Body mass index less than 28 kg/m2 is a predictor of subjective improvement after laser-assisted uvulopalatoplasty for snoring.

OBJECTIVE/HYPOTHESIS: To investigate whether body mass index (BMI) can be used to predict subjective improvement of snoring after laser-assisted uvulopalatoplasty (LAUP).

STUDY DESIGN

One hundred nineteen consecutive adult patients who had LAUP performed for socially disruptive snoring were contacted by mail 3 months after surgery and asked to complete a questionnaire with the following alternatives as to the effect of surgery on their snoring: no improvement (1); some improvement (2); moderate improvement (3); substantial improvement (4) and abolished snoring (5). Patients reporting to categories 3, 4, or 5 were referred to as responders and to categories 1 or 2 as nonresponders. Seventy patients (59%) completed the questionnaire.

METHODS

A one-stage LAUP was performed with local anesthesia in an outpatient ear, nose, and throat clinic with a CO2 laser. Patients were divided into two categories with BMI above and below 28 kg/m2 at the time of surgery.

RESULTS

BMI correlated significantly with subjective postoperative improvement. (R = 0.29; P < .02; Pearson's correlation test). Odds ratio (OR) for success by BMI less than 28 kg/m2 compared to patients with BMI greater than 28 kg/m2 was 4.8 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.48-15.53).

CONCLUSIONS

BMI is a simple, yet important predictor of subjective reduction of snoring after LAUP and should be considered before performing such surgery.