Validation of the Alberta Pediatric Obstructive Sleep Apnea (APOSA) Index for Orthodontic Treatment Need in Pediatric Patients with Obstructive Sleep Apnea Symptoms

• Author / Creator

  Nazarali, Natasha

• Objective: To determine the predictive ability of the Alberta Pediatric Obstructive Sleep Apnea (APOSA) Index for orthodontic treatment need in pediatric patients with obstructive sleep apnea symptoms. Methods: Thirty orthodontic records, representing a spectrum of craniofacial and oral features and severity, were evaluated for orthodontic treatment need using the APOSA index. The results were compared to treatment decisions made by ten expert orthodontists. Results: Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve demonstrated a cutoff score of 6.5 with a sensitivity of 94.1% and specificity of 99%. Conclusions: The APOSA index is a useful and predictive tool to determine orthodontic treatment need in pediatric patients with OSA symptoms. A sum score of 6.5 or greater on the APOSA index suggests that the patient may benefit from referral to an orthodontist. Our findings indicate that the APOSA index is a useful and predictive tool for orthodontic treatment need in pediatric patients with OSA symptoms.

• Subjects / Keywords

  • Index
  • Obstructive sleep apnea
  • Orthodontics

• Graduation date

  Fall 2016

• Type of Item

  Thesis

• Degree

  Master of Science

• DOI

  https://doi.org/10.7939/R38S4JV13

• License

  This thesis is made available by the University of Alberta Libraries with permission of the copyright owner solely for non-commercial purposes. This thesis, or any portion thereof, may not otherwise be copied or reproduced without the written consent of the copyright owner, except to the extent permitted by Canadian copyright law.