Gender and BMI Differences in Adult Craniofacial Parameters in Caucasian Population: A Pilot Study

ABSTRACT

Objective: To determine the association between age and selected craniofacial parameters according to the Body Mass Index (BMI) and gender in Caucasian population in central Europe. Material and Methods: Data were collected in maxillofacial surgeries in Slovak Republic in period 2013 - 2016. The study sample was divided into younger (≤ 22 years; n = 49) and older sample (˃ 23 years; n = 55). Patients were analyzed by directed anthropometry and 3D scan. Data were organized using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) software and presented through descriptive and inferential statistics (two-sample T-test and Fisher's exact test). The significance level was 5%. Results: In younger and older study sample according to BMI was not found significant effect on evaluation selected craniofacial parameters. In the category BMI > 25.0 [kg.m-2] younger study sample had higher mean values in bizygomatic breadth (13.6 ± 2.2 cm vs. 12.9 ± 0.9 cm; p = 0.287) than older study sample, while in older study sample was found higher bi-gonial breadth (11.9 ± 1.4 cm vs. 10.8 ± 0.9 cm; p = 0.169) than younger study sample. Males in age ˃ 23 years had significant distance between two Gonion (bi-gonial breadth) (11.7 ± 1.3 cm) than males in age ≤ 22 years (10.9 ± 1.0 cm). Higher total facial height was found in category males > 23 years (12.5 ± 0.7 cm) in compare with category males ≤ 22 years (12.1 ± 0.5 cm) (p = 0.018). Conclusion: The patient age should be considered in analysed of soft tissue proportions (bi-gonial breadth and total facial height).