Journal
CLINICAL NEUROPHYSIOLOGY
Volume 121, Issue 11, Pages 1886-1889Publisher
ELSEVIER IRELAND LTD
DOI: 10.1016/j.clinph.2010.05.002
Keywords
Cold thermal testing; Oropharynx; Method of levels; Method of limits; Quantitative sensory testing; Obstructive sleep apnea
Categories
Funding
- Swedish Heart Lung Foundation
- Futurum - the Academy for Healthcare, County Council, Jonkoping, Sweden
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Objective: Several studies indicate an upper airway peripheral neuropathy in obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS). The sensation of cold, as measured by cold detection thresholds (CDT), in the oropharynx has been shown to be compromised in patients with sleep apnea and, to a lesser extent, habitual snoring. To reveal whether this neuropathy is part of the pathogenetic process of OSAS, longitudinal studies of snorers are needed. The objective of the present study was to establish the test-retest repeatability for the two most commonly used thermal testing methods: the reaction time exclusive method of levels (MLE) and the method of limits (MLI). Methods: Forty non-snoring subjects were tested at the soft palate and the lip at two separate occasions (mean interval 45 days) using a Medoc TSA - 2001 equipment with an intra-oral thermode. Results: With MLE mean CDT's were lower for both the lip and soft palate than with MLI. However, MLI showed a better test-retest repeatability (r = 2.2 vs. 2.6) for the soft palate. Conclusions: MLI should be used in longitudinal studies. The performance of this method is also faster. Significance: We have established a quick, safe and reliable method suitable for longitudinal studies of peripheral neuropathy in sleep apnea pathogenesis. (C) 2010 International Federation of Clinical Neurophysiology. Published by Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.
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