Ann Oto Rhinol Laryn
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We investigated the long-term outcome of pediatric tracheostomy to identify predictive factors of early decannulation. ⋯ Tracheostomy indication and patient diagnosis are significant variables that predict early decannulation in pediatric patients in whom tracheostomy is required. Other variables were not shown to be significant independent predictors.
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Ann Oto Rhinol Laryn · Oct 2005
Relationship of snoring and sleepiness as presenting symptoms in a sleep clinic population.
Sleepiness has traditionally been considered medically the cardinal symptom of obstructive sleep apnea syndrome. Snoring is perceived as a social or cosmetic complaint. Without independent medical morbidity, snoring identification and treatment is not a major focus in sleep medicine. We speculate that snoring is a major independent symptom. To evaluate how patients rated snoring symptom severity, we compared the relative significance of a sleep clinic population's presenting symptoms of snoring and sleepiness. ⋯ The presenting symptoms of snoring are larger in magnitude, importance, and severity than those of sleepiness in a broad population of patients with sleep disorders and sleep-disordered breathing irrespective of severity of sleep apnea or sleepiness. Symptoms of major significance are clinically relevant to identifying, diagnosing, and treating patients. Failure of medical providers to appreciate the impact of snoring on this population may affect attempts to identify, diagnose, and treat patients with sleep-disordered breathing.