Abstract: Objective To observe the effects of uvulopalatopharyngoplasty(UPPP) on inflammatory factors in patients with obstructive sleep apnea-hypopnea syndrome(OSAHS). Methods Thirty-three subjects, who were diagnosed by polysomnography(PSG) as OSAHS(AHI≥5, 27 men and 6 women), median age 41(20~58) years and 27 subjects as control(AHI＜5, 22 men and 5 women), median age 42(18~59 ) years, were studied. All patients with OSAHS were accepted UPPP and rechecked PSG after 6 months. All the blood samples were obtained after PSG. The concentrations of serum interleukin-6(IL-6), tumor necrosis factor-alpha(TNF-α) and interleukin-10(IL-10) were measured by radioimmunoassay. The concentrations of serum C-reactive protein(CRP) was measured by immunoturbidimetry. Results The level of serum IL-6, TNF-α and CRP in OSAHS group were significantly higher than those in control group. The concentration of serum IL-10 in OSAHS group was significantly lower than that in control(P<0.05 for all). The parameters including AHI, SLT 90%, LAT, ODI, and SaO₂min were significantly improved(P<0.05 for all), the levels of serum IL-6 and TNF-α significantly decreased(all P<0.05) after 6 months by UPPP therapy. There were no significant difference between serum CRP and IL-10 in patients with OSAHS who accepted UPPP(all P>0.05). Conclusion Systemic inflammatory imbalance exists in OSAHS patients. Although hypoxia was improved to some degree, UPPP could not correct inflammatory factors disorder completely in patients with OSAHS. The OSAHS patients should receive CPAP therapy after UPPP therapy.

Key words: uvulopalatopharyngoplasty, inflammatory factors, obstructive sleep apnea-hypopnea syndrome