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MINNEAPOLIS, Minn. — People who suffer from sleep apnea may soon have an alternative to wearing a mask to bed.
Scientists can control sleep apnea in some people by surgically implanting a device to keep airways open, according to an article published Wednesday in The New England Journal of Science. More than 18 million Americans are estimated to have obstructive sleep apnea, a condition that causes people to stop breathing during their sleep when their upper airways narrow and collapse.
Even though people with sleep apnea are often prescribed a mask to help them breathe at night, lead author Patrick Strollo said half of the people don't use it regularly because of discomfort or a lack of desire to be tethered to a machine.
“The results of this trial show a huge potential for a new and effective treatment that can help millions of patients," he said in a statement.
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Researchers followed the patients for one year and found those with the devices surgically implanted experienced 68 to 70 percent fewer sleep apnea episodes per hour while sleeping.
"Two thirds of patients using the Inspire UAS therapy device had successful control of their OSA although even more reported improvement in snoring, daytime sleepiness and quality of life measures," said University of Pittsburg School of Medicine researcher Ryan Soose in a statement.
The results of this trial show a huge potential for a new and effective treatment that can help millions of patients.
–Patrick Strollo
However, doctors cautioned that the surgical implementation likely would not work for everyone with sleep apnea. Half of the participants expressed feeling discomfort and the symptoms worsened in 20 percent of the people. Further research is still needed before the device is approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.
Jackie Kopplin, 45, participated in the trial. She told The New York Times that even though she became swollen and was in pain for 6 weeks immediately following the surgery, she is now pain free and can sleep eight or nine hours a night. That means she feels more energy during the day, she said.
The study was funded by Inspire Medial Systems, which is the manufacturer of the device.
