OBJECTIVETo evaluate effectiveness therapeutic regimens for obstructive sleep apnea hypopnea syndrome (OSAHS) children at an acceptable cost.

METHODThis study was performed at Yuying Children's Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University from Mar. 2008 to Dec. 2010. Prospective random number table method was used for the analysis; 60 children with mild OSAHS were divided into Mild OSAHS Montelukast Treatment (MM) group and Mild OSAHS Adenotonsillectomy Treatment (MAT) group. 32 children in MM group were treated with leukotriene receptor antagonists (LTRAs), while 28 children in MAT group were treated with adenotonsillectomy. Also, 58 children with moderate and severe OSAHS were divided into severe OSAHS Montelukast Treatment (SM) group and severe OSAHS Adenotonsillectomy Treatmen (SAT) group. Twenty-two children in SM group were treated with LTRAs, while 36 children in SAT group were treated with adenotonsillectomy. All selected children were evaluated by polysomnography (PSG) and Obstructive Sleep Apnea-18 (OSA-18) items before and after a six-month treatment. Both records were taken and analyzed, surgical complications and the reason for non-remission after operation were also analyzed. Two therapies were compared based on economic consideration and therapeutic effect. Result (1) PSG: A significant change of a significant change of Apnea Hypopnea Index (AHI) was observed in MM group after the treatment (before receiving the treatment 4.56 ± 1. 26, and after receiving the treatment 3. 48 ± 1. 52, t =3. 50, P <0. 05). But for oxygen desaturation Index (ODI) (MM group 2. 18 ± 2. 19, and MAT group 1. 80 ± 2. 34) and Lowest Oxygen satuation (LSaO2) (MM group 91. 66 ± 2. 34, and MAT group 92. 79 ± 2. 18), there was no significant difference in MM group and MAT group after the treatment (ODI, t =0. 65, and LSaO2 t = - 1. 93, P >0. 05). (2) OSA-18 scores: Significant differences were found in sleeping disorder (before 14. 81 ± 6. 28, and after 10. 56 ± 3. 57), the degree of familial stress (before 13. 56 ± 3. 54, and after 8. 97 ± 2. 96), and OSA-18 total scores (before 52. 66 ± 1. 11, and after 42. 56 6. 48) in MM group after the treatment (sleeping disorder Z - 3. 14, the degree of familial stress Z = -4. 50, and OSA-18 total scores Z= -4. 01, P <0. 05). (3) In addition to the cost of drugs, groups with surgical treatment had a larger economic burden than those with LTRAs treatment. (4) Treatment was totally effective for 28 children (88%) in MM group, and 28 children (100%) in MAT group. Meanwhile, treatment also achieved an obvious effect on 2 children (9%) in SM group, and in 35 children (97%) in SAT group. In MAT group, 3 children improved (11%). And in SAT group, 7 children improved (19%), but treatment was found to be ineffective in 1 case (3%). Among those effective and ineffective cases in groups with surgical treatment, there were 9 children with nasal diseases.

CONCLUSION(1) Surgical treatment is recommended as the first choice for children with moderate and severe OSAHS. And for those who also suffer from nasal diseases, treatment combining drugs with surgery is necessary. (2) LTRAs therapy has a good effect for mild OSAHS. Surgery is also recommended when drugs could not achieve any obvious improvement in clinical symptoms of children with mild OSAHS.