Imaging Sci Dent.  2016 Sep;46(3):167-171. 10.5624/isd.2016.46.3.167.

The role of oral physicians in predicting the risk of obstructive sleep apnea: A case-control study

• Lavanya R
• Gandhi Babu DB
• Chavva S
• Boringi M
• Waghray S
• Yeladandi

• KMID: 2408248
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.5624/isd.2016.46.3.167

Abstract

PURPOSE
Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is a common medical disorder with serious complications if untreated. Dentists play a vital role in the early diagnosis of this condition, thereby improving patients' prognoses. The purpose of this study was to identify patients with a high risk of OSA using simple cephalometric measurements in patients receiving routine dental care.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
The present study was conducted on 206 patients divided into a high-risk group and a control group after answering the Berlin questionnaire. Cephalometric analysis of a digital cephalogram was performed to measure the upper airway diameter (UAD) and mandibular-to-hyoid bone distance (MP-H) by 2 observers at 2 different times.
RESULTS
Among 206 patients, 93 (45%) were included in the high-risk group and 113 (55%) were in the control group. No significant difference was present between the groups with regard to gender, and the patients ranged in age from 18 to 65 years. The UAD measurements in the high-risk group were significantly lower than in the control group, and the MP-H measurements were significantly higher in the high-risk group than in the control group. The UAD was lower in middle-aged patients in both groups.
CONCLUSION
Our study found that the UAD was lower in individuals with a high risk of OSA. Also, we found that middle-aged individuals of both genders were more likely to develop OSA. Dentists play a vital role in diagnosing patients at a high risk for OSA via thorough clinical examinations, risk factor analyses, and simple cephalometric analyses.

Keyword

Sleep Apnea, Obstructive; Cephalometry; Snoring; Obesity

MeSH Terms

Berlin
Case-Control Studies*
Cephalometry
Dental Care
Dentists
Early Diagnosis
Humans
Obesity
Prognosis
Risk Factors
Sleep Apnea, Obstructive*
Snoring

Figure

• 

  Fig. 1 Lateral cephalogram shows the upper the upper airway diameter (A-B); the mandibular plane (tangent drawn to the mandibular plane: C-D), and the distance from the mandibular plane to the hyoid bone (E-F).

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  Fig. 2 Upper airway diameter in males according to age group.

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  Fig. 3 Upper airway diameter in females according to age group.

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  Fig. 4 Distance from the mandibular plane to the hyoid bone (MP-H) in males according to age group.

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  Fig. 5 Distance from the mandibular plane to the hyoid bone (MP-H) in females according to age group.

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