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Published on: December 6, 2016
Craniofacial morphology in patients with obstructive sleep apnea: cephalometric evaluation
Michele Tepedino1, Gaetano Illuzzi2, Michele Laurenziello2
1University of L'Aquila, Department of Biotechnological and Applied Clinical Sciences, L'Aquila, Italy.
Severe obstructive sleep apnea is linked to reduced mandibular and cranial base growth. Mandibular length showed a correlation with the apnea-hypopnea index, indicating its importance in sleep apnea severity.
Area of Science:
- Dentistry
- Sleep Medicine
- Orthodontics
Background:
- Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) involves reduced upper airway airflow during sleep.
- Obstructive sleep apnea has central and obstructive forms, with the latter influenced by craniofacial morphology.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the relationship between cranial base, mandible, and maxilla morphology and obstructive sleep apnea severity.
Main Methods:
- Eighty-four obstructive sleep apnea patients (73 males, 11 females; mean age 50.4) were analyzed.
- Lateral cephalograms and polysomnography data were used to assess craniofacial morphology and sleep apnea severity.
- Spearman's rho correlation tested associations between cephalometric measurements and apnea-hypopnea index (p < 0.05).
Main Results:
- Severe obstructive sleep apnea correlated with reduced sagittal growth in mandibular length and cranial base.
- Mandibular length was the sole cephalometric variable significantly correlated with the apnea-hypopnea index.
- Vertical facial dimensions showed a weak correlation, while maxillary sagittal dimensions showed no correlation with obstructive sleep apnea severity.
Conclusions:
- Obstructive sleep apnea severity may be associated with mandibular and cranial base sagittal growth patterns.
- Facial vertical dimension does not appear to correlate with obstructive sleep apnea severity.
- Mandibular length is a key morphological factor associated with obstructive sleep apnea severity.
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