Orofacial myofunctional evaluation with scores in subjects with obstructive sleep apnea

Abstract

Orofacial myofunctional disorders (OMD) are common in patients with Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA), thus, it is necessary a detailed and precise clinical instrument for assessment of the OMD in this population, since the orofacial exercise has been recommended with positive results in patients with OSA. The Expandend Protocol of Orofacial Myofunctional Evaluation with Scores (OMES-E) is a validity instrument for the clinical evaluation of the orofacial myofunctional condition, that permit the examiner to express numerically the perception of the characteristics and behaviors observed in children. Thus, the aim of this study was to verify if the OMES-E protocol can discriminate the myofunctional orofacial characteristics in healthy adults and with OSA. Participated 133 subjects (19–60 years old), both genders (99 with untreated OSA, diagnosed by polysomnography - group OSA) and 34 healthy subjects, without OSA signs or symptoms (group C). Exclusion criteria were neurological or cognitive deficit, tumors or traumas in the head and neck, and use of analgesic, anti-inflammatory and psychiatric drugs. One speech therapist with experience in orofacial myofuncional evaluation performed the examination. The subjects were evaluated individually with the OMES-E protocol, according to the previously described methodology. To verify if the OMES-E protocol would be able to discriminate the myofunctional orofacial characteristics in the subjects with and without OSA, the analysis of covariance adjusted for the mean, with two variation factors (Group and Gender) was performed for the protocol Categories (Appearance/Posture, Mobility, Respiration, Deglutition and Mastication). Multiple Regression Analysis was calculated to verify the possible association between the variables Age and Body Mass Index (BMI) with the protocol Categories. Statistica software was used, significance level at 0.05. There was a higher percentage of OMD in group OSA compared to C ( p < 0.001). There were no differences regarding Gender to Categories of the protocol or interaction effect between Gender and Categories, but between Group and Categories. There was association between BMI with the Categories Appearance/Posture, Respiration ( p < 0.01) and Mobility ( p < 0.05), and between Age with Mobility ( p < 0.05). Thus, the OMES-E protocol is able to discriminate the orofacial myofunctional characteristics in health adults and in patients with OSA. This work received support from CAPES, the Brazilian Federal Agency for Support and Evaluation of Postgraduate Education.