CEPHALOMETRIC ASSESSMENT IN OBSTRUCTIVE SLEEP-APNEA

It is reported that some specific craniofacial characteristics are ass ociated with obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS). To test this fin ding, the present study developed and assessed the feasibility of a cr aniofacial index score (CIS) in differentiating patients with OSAS fro m habitual snorers. Anthropometric measurements and lateral head radio graphs were obtained on 24 male and 4 female patients with OSAS who ha d physician-diagnosed OSAS (respiratory disturbance index (RDI) > 20), and 25 male and 5 female habitual snorers (RDI < 20). Thirteen cephal ometric and four anthropometric measurements were used in a discrimina nt model to construct the CIS. The model was able to correctly classif y 82.1% of the OSAS group and 86.7% of the snoring group. In addition, variables that were related to the soft tissues, hyoid bone to mandib ular plane, Body Mass Index, and soft palate length had the highest pr edictive value. These findings indicate that a CIS constructed from ce phalometric and anthropometric measurements can be used to identify su bjects with and without OSAS.