Reliability of Friedman Staging System and Modified Mallampati Scoring as clinical assessment methods for Obstructive Sleep Apnea – A cross sectional study

Abstract

ABSTRACT Objective To assess the utility of oropharyngeal crowding indicators as predictors of Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA). Methods STOP-BANG Questionnaire was administered to 145 adults. Of the 95 with high OSA risk, 42 underwent polysomnography. Intraoral space was assessed using modified Mallampati (MMP) and Friedman Scoring (FS) System. Results Twenty-four were found to have OSA by polysomnography. Most with low risk (86%) had only Class I MMP. Whereas Class III and IV were seen in 37.9% and 17.9% patients with high risk (p < .001) and 50% and 20.8% patients with OSA (p < .831), respectively. All with low risk had Stage 1 FS. Stages 3 and 4 were observed in 27.4% and 1.1% in the high-risk group (p < .001) and in 29.2% and 4.2% with OSA (p < .092), respectively. Conclusion In limited settings, either MMP or FS scores along with the STOP-BANG questionnaire can be used to diagnose OSA.