Facial profile shape, malocclusion and palatal morphology in Malay obstructive sleep apnea patients

Abstract

Objective: To test the null hypothesis that there is no difference in facial profile shape, malocclusion class, or palatal morphology in Malay adults with and without obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). Materials and Methods: Subjects were 120 adult Malays aged 18 to 65 years (mean ± standard deviation [SD], 33.2 ± 13.31) divided into two groups of 60. Both groups underwent clinical examination and limited channel polysomnography (PSG). The mean OSA and control values were subjected to t-test and the chi square test. Results: Physical examination showed that 61.7% of the OSA patients were obese, and 41.7% of those obese patients had severe OSA. The mean body mass index (BMI) was significantly greater for the OSA group (33.2 kg/m2 ± 6.5) than for the control group (22.7 kg/m2 ± 3.5; P