Friedman Tongue Position and the Anthropometric Parameters in Adult Patients with Obstructive Sleep Apnea: An Observational Study.

INTRODUCTION: Obstructive Sleep Apnea Syndrome (OSAS) is a relevant public health problem; dentists can play an important role in screening patients with sleep disorders by using validated tools and referring patients to a specialist, thereby promoting an interdisciplinary approach. The aim of the study is to identify if the OSAS severity, measured by the apnea-hypopnea index (AHI), and some anthropometric measurements are associated with the Friedman Tongue Position (FTP) within a population with dysmetabolic comorbidities. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A questionnaire containing information about clinical data including height, weight, Body Mass Index (BMI), neck circumference, waist circumference, hip circumference and FTP was administered. The AHI value was measured by means of an unattended home polysomnography device. Pearson correlation coefficients were calculated, and Kruskal-Wallis, Kolmogorov-Smirnov (both nonparametric) and independence tests were performed to probe the possible relationships. The significance was set at p ≤ 0.05. RESULTS: A total of 357 subjects were analyzed. The association between the FTP and AHI was not statistically significant. On the contrary, the AHI showed a positive correlation with BMI and neck circumference. A statistically significant association between the number of subjects with a larger neck and an increasing FTP class was found. BMI, neck, hip and waist circumference was associated with the FTP scale. CONCLUSIONS: although the FTP was not directly associated with OSAS severity, there was also evidence that an FTP increase is associated with an increase in the considered anthropometric parameters, and FTP can be a clinical tool used in the assessment of risk for OSAS risk factors.

OSAS Severity and Occlusal Parameters: A Prospective Study among Adult Subjects with Comorbidities.

INTRODUCTION: OSAS is an emerging public health problem. Early diagnosis in adults with comorbidities is the gold standard to avoid complications caused by a late diagnosis. The aim of the study, part of the SLeeP@SA project, was to identify within a population with dysmetabolic comorbidities the association of occlusal clinical signs, defined by orthodontic parameters, and of the anthropometric phenotype, with the severity of OSAS. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A dedicated questionnaire containing questions regarding the presence of deep bite, augmented overjet, partial edentulism, and bruxism was completed by clinic staff. OSAS was evaluated using an unattended home PSG device, which recorded the AHI value. BMI and neck circumference were also measured. The Kolmogorov-Smirnov test was performed to evaluate the association of the AHI with occlusal clinical signs. The significance was set at p ≤ 0.05. The association of AHI with BMI and neck circumference was evaluated with the Pearson correlation coefficient. RESULTS: In total, 199 subjects were evaluated. No statistically significant association between occlusal parameters and AHI was found, while the AHI showed a positive correlation with BMI and neck circumference. The neck circumference seemed to be a better clinical predictor for OSAS severity than BMI, especially for females. CONCLUSIONS: These results highlight how the orthodontic clinical data alone are not sufficient to establish an association between occlusal anomalies and OSAS severity, but further investigation involving a specialist orthodontic diagnosis is necessary.