Craniofacial morphology in Obstructive Sleep Apnea patients.

BACKGROUND: To evaluate the correlation between cephalometric skeletal parameters and Obstructive Sleep Apnea syndrome (OSAs) severity, in adult patients with OSAs.

MATERIAL AND METHODS: One hundred patients (94 males,6 females mean age 59,3) with diagnosis of OSAs were retrospectively enrolled. Each patient received Home Sleep Apnea Testing (HSAT) and latero-lateral radiograph. Eight cephalometric parameters (cranial deflection angle, saddle angle, articular angle, divergence angle, cranial base angle, skull base length, mandibular length, maxilla length) were analyzed and then related to Apnea/Hypopnea Index (AHI) and to the Oxygen Desaturation Index (ODI), recorded by HSAT. A Spearman's rho correlation test between cephalometric measurements and HSAT indices was performed. Statistical significance was set at p < 0.05.

RESULTS: A negative statistically significant correlation was found between mandibular length (Condilion-Gnathion distance) and AHI (rho= -0,2022; p <0,05) and between maxilla length (Ans-Pns) and AHI (rho= -0,2984; p <0,01) and ODI (rho= -0,2443; p <0,05). A statistically significant correlation was also observed between the divergence angle (S-N^Go-Me) and AHI (rho=0,2263; p <0,05) and between cranial deflection angle (Fh^NBa) and AHI (rho=0,2212; p <0,05) and ODI (rho=0,1970; p <0,05).

CONCLUSIONS: The OSAs severity may be related to certain predisposing features in craniofacial morphology, such as maxillary and mandibular length, divergence and cranial deflection. Key words: OSAs, Home Sleep Apnea Testing, AHI, ODI, Cephalometry, Airway.