Nasal obstruction may worsen OSA indicators

Increases in apnea-hypopnea events were greatest among patients with an elevated baseline index, while evidence supporting mouth taping remained preliminary.

By
Andrea Surnit
September 11, 2026
4 min

MDSpire News

Overview

This systematic review and meta-analysis found that nasal obstruction is associated with worsening indicators of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), including an increase in the Apnea-Hypopnea Index (AHI).

Background

Nasal obstruction is a common condition that may exacerbate symptoms of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), a disorder characterized by repeated interruptions in breathing during sleep. Understanding the relationship between nasal obstruction and OSA indicators is crucial for effective management and treatment of patients with sleep-disordered breathing.

Data Highlights

Outcome	Mean Change	Observations
AHI	+13.78 events/hour	133
ODI	+7.45 events/hour	164
Average Oxygen Saturation	-0.70 percentage points	97
Nadir Oxygen Saturation	-1.75 percentage points	207

Key Findings

Nasal obstruction was associated with a mean increase of 13.78 events/hour in AHI.
Participants with a baseline AHI below 5 experienced an increase of 9.56 events/hour, while those with a baseline AHI of 5 or more had an increase of 24.11 events/hour.
The mean increase in ODI was 7.45 events/hour, although this was not statistically significant.
Average oxygen saturation decreased by 0.70 percentage points, and nadir oxygen saturation decreased by 1.75 percentage points.
The association between nasal obstruction and AHI did not differ significantly between surgical and nonsurgical settings.
Mouth taping studies showed a decrease in median AHI but lacked statistically significant improvements in oxygen saturation.

Clinical Implications

Clinicians should be aware that nasal obstruction can exacerbate OSA indicators, potentially complicating the management of patients with sleep-disordered breathing.