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Incidence of Parkinson disease significantly lower with early OSA treatment – no reduction seen with late treatment.
March 7th, 2025 | Posted in: Dr. Halstrom News, Education CentreObstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is associated with an increased risk for Parkinson disease, according to a recent study scheduled for presentation at the upcoming annual meeting of the American Academy of Neurology.
The (VA) Portland Health Care System in Oregon assessed the risk for Parkinson disease in patients with obstructive sleep apnea and examined the impact of early versus late continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) treatment using data from the VA Corporate Data Warehouse spanning 20+ years and more than 20 million veterans.
Researchers found that OSA-positive was associated with a significantly increased risk for Parkinson disease. The incidence of Parkinson disease was similar for those late into treatment (more than two years since obstructive sleep apnea diagnosis) versus no treatment. In contrast, a significantly lower incidence of PD was seen with early treatment (within two years of diagnosis). For those that cannot tolerate CPAP the mandibular repositioning device provides a trusted alternative therapy. Fantastic New Device – SomnoDent Avant
While the study found an increased risk of Parkinson disease, the good news is people can do something about it, by seeking treatment as soon as they are diagnosed with the disorder.
The following important study investigates the oral appliance alternative.
Mandibular advancement device in Parkinson’s disease: a pilot study on efficacy and usability
Manon Castel 1, Valérie Cochen De Cock 2, Hervé Léon 3, Isabelle Dupuy-Bonafé
Abstract
Background
Continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) is efficacious in the treatment of obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS) in patients with Parkinson’s disease (PD). However. this treatment is often not well tolerated in this disabled population. We explored, in a pilot study, the efficacy, observance, and usability of mandibular advancement device (MAD) for the treatment of OSAS in this peculiar population.
Patients And Methods
The study included twenty patients with PD and moderate or severe obstructive sleep apnea syndrome. Ten patients refused or could not tolerate treatment with CPAP, they were then treated with a mandibular advancement device. The patients treated with mandibular advancement device were matched for sex, age and body mass index (BMI) to 10 patients with PD treated with CPAP. We explored the efficacy of mandibular advancement device on sleep disorders complaints (PDSS-2) and on sleep recordings. We compared adherence, tolerance and usability with mandibular advancement device and with CPAP.
Results
MAD improved sleep complaints increasing PDSS-2 scores (85 [55-106] vs 106 [88-126], p < 0.005), and sleep respiratory measures reducing apnea/hypopnea index (AHI) (50.8 [30.0-76.4] vs 9.4 [5.0-45.2], <0.001) and oxygen desaturation index (22.9 [2.1-92.0] vs 3.8 [0.2-34.2], p < 0.05). Observance was higher with MAD than with CPAP. Results reported usability and caregiver satisfaction higher with MAD than with CPAP. Side effects were similar.
Conclusion: Mandibular advancement device may be an noteworthy alternative treatment of OSAS in patients with PD.
