J Oral Med Pain.  2022 Sep;47(3):135-143. 10.14476/jomp.2022.47.3.135.

Polysomnographic and Cephalometric Evaluation of Patients with Obstructive Sleep Apnea According to Obesity Level

• Jo JH
• Park JW
• Jang JH
• Chung JW

• KMID: 2552189
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.14476/jomp.2022.47.3.135

Abstract

Purpose
This study aimed to evaluate polysomnographic and cephalometric characteristics of patients with OSA according to obesity level based on the World Health Organization (WHO) Asian-Pacific BMI criteria.
Methods
One hundred and thirty-one consecutive patients with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) were evaluated using standard level 1 polysomnography and cephalometric analyses. The subjects were categorized into normal, overweight and obese groups according to the WHO Asian-Pacific BMI criteria. Respiratory indices and cephalometric parameters were compared among groups.
Results
The 131 patients consisted of 111 males and 20 females, with a mean age of 44.1±12.4 years. The mean value of BMI was 25.3±3.4 kg/m² for all subjects, 20.6±2.2 kg/m² for normal (n=27), 24.0±0.5 kg/m² for overweight (n=33) and 27.6±2.2 kg/m² for obese (n=71). The obese group had a significantly higher apnea-hypopnea index (AHI) and respiratory arousal index and lower oxygen saturation level than the normal group (p<0.05). Total AHI, mean oxygen saturation level and respiratory arousal index were significantly correlated with BMI (p<0.001). A longer soft palate and anterior position of the hyoid bone were significantly correlated with BMI level (p ≤0.05).
Conclusions
Obese patients have a higher risk of compromised craniofacial skeletal features and soft tissue structures, and severe OSA than non-obese patients.

Keyword

Body mass index; Cephalometry; Obesity; Obstructive sleep apnea; Polysomnography