Correlation of Types of Soft Palate, Body Mass Index and Apnoea Hypoapnoea Index in Patients with Sleep Apnoea: A Pilot Study

Abstract

Aim: Sleep Apnoea a common disorder in young and adults has been studied extensively by pulmonologists, ENT specialists and dentists for various reasons. In the literature it is documented that Sleep Apnoea patient confirmed by polysomography have higher incidence of hook-shaped (S -type) of soft palate. The aim of our study is to correlate types of soft palate, body mass index (BMI) and apnoea hypoapnoea index (AHI) in sleep apnoea patients. Materials & Methods: This preliminary study was carried out in 20 diagnosed patients of sleep apnoea and 20 normal subjects between the age ranges of 12 to 60 yrs in VSPM'S Dental College & Research Center. The morphology of the soft palate was studied on Digital lateral cephalograms (using Kodak software-72kvp, 12mA, 1sec exposure). The BMI index, polysomography, Epworth sleepiness scale was recorded in all these patients. Results: Patients with increase BMI and severe AHI had higher incidence of butt type of palate followed by leaf type. In normal patient the commonest type was found to be leaf type followed by rat tail type. Conclusion: The present study indicated that severe sleep apnoea patient had higher incidence of butt type of soft palate.