Integrative traditional Chinese medicine treatment for children with obstructive sleep apnea

• Published in: Journal of Traditional and Complementary Medicine 2024-01, Vol.14 (1), p.109-120
• Main Authors: Lai, Wan-Yu, Wei, Chang-Ching, Lin, Chien-Heng, Hang, Liang-Wen, Shih, Ying-Hsiu, Huang, Fen-Wei, Yen, Hung-Rong
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Children; Ephedrae Herba; Forsythia and Laminaria combination; Obstructive sleep apnea; Traditional Chinese medicine
• ISSN: 2225-4110; 2225-4110
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jtcme.2023.08.002

Purpose: Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is a chronic disease that affects 1%-6% of children. Our study aims to explore the effectiveness and clinical characteristics of integrative Traditional Chinese Medicine (ITCM) for pediatric OSA. Materials and methods: In this retrospective cohort study, we assessed differences of polysomnography (PSG) parameters and clinical characteristics between 2009 and 2020. Children ＜12 years old diagnosed with OSA (n - 508) were included and were categorized into ITCM cohort, western medicine (WM) cohort ,and surgery cohort. Outcomes were apnea-hypopnea index (AHI), respiratory disturbance index (RDI), and body mass index (BMI). Results: There were 56 (11%), 324 (63.8%), and 128 (25.2%) patients in the ITCM, WM, and surgery cohorts. Among 17, 26, and 33 patients in the ITCM, WM, and surgery cohorts underwent follow-up PSG studies, respectively. In the ITCM follow-up cohort, AHI were significantly reduced (9.59 to 5.71, p ＜ 0.05). BMI significantly increased in the WM follow-up cohort (19.46 to 20.50, p ＜ 0.05) and the surgery follow-up cohort (18.04 to 18.85, p ＜ 0.01). Comparing ITCM to WM cohort, a significant difference was found between the changes in RDI (ITCM: -6.78, WM: 0.51, p ＜ 0.05) after treatment. Among ITCM follow-up cohort, the most prescribed TCM formula was Forsythia and Laminaria Combination. The most prescribed TCM herb was Ephedrae Herba. Conclusions: ITCM therapy can significantly reduce RDI and control BMI. We identified potential TCM treatments for pediatric OSA. Further study of the pharmacological mechanisms and clinical efficacy is warranted.