Clin Exp Otorhinolaryngol.  2011 Mar;4(1):40-43.

Clinical Implications of Mandible and Neck Measurements in Non-Obese Asian Snorers: Ansan City General Population-Based Study

• Choi JH
• Miyazaki S
• Okawa M
• Kim EJ
• Ryu JJ
• Lee JB
• Shin C
• Lee SH

Abstract

OBJECTIVES
Anthropometric abnormalities of the mandible and neck may contribute to snoring in non-obese Asians. The study evaluated the clinical implications of mandible and neck measurements in non-obese Asian snorers.
METHODS
The external mandible and neck measurements (neck circumference, two lengths of neck, mandibular body angle, and lengths of mandibular ramus and body) were compared between snorers and non-snorers in a sample of 2,778 non-obese Koreans (1,389 males, 1,389 females) aged 40 to 69 years (mean, 48.47+/-7.72 years).
RESULTS
The overall prevalence of snoring was 64.7% (899/1,389) and 48.3% (671/1,389) in non-obese male and female subjects, respectively. In non-obese males, snorers had significantly a greater neck circumference (P<0.0001) and shorter mandibular body length (P=0.0126) than non-snorers. In non-obese females, snorers had significantly greater neck circumferences (P=0.0165), compared with non-snorers. However, there were no statistically significant differences in other variables between non-snorers and snorers.
CONCLUSION
Anthropometric abnormalities of the mandible and neck, including thick neck circumference in both genders and small mandible size in males, may be relevant contributing factors to snoring in non-obese Asian snorers.

Keyword

Asian; Population; Snoring; Mandible; Neck

MeSH Terms

Aged
Asian Continental Ancestry Group
Female
Humans
Male
Mandible
Neck
Prevalence
Snoring

Figure

• 

  Fig. 1 Landmark and reference lines for mandibular and neck measurements. Measurements included mandibular body (MB), mandibular ramus (MR), length of neck (NL) 1, NL 2, and mandibular angle (MA).

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