Abstract:

We have studied and found craniofacial characteristics in Bulgarian patients – men with OSA, with the aim to ease early diagnostics and we defined risk factors from the view point of dental medicine and orthodontics in order to find a probable anatomic protective factor to prevent the obstructive syndrome.

One hundred twenty three (123) facial side sciagraphy images of patients aged between 30 and 69 years have been made. 61 of them are individuals in good health, they form the control group, and 62 are patients diagnosed with OSA by means of polysomnography (PSG) represent the clinical patients’ group.

Factors influencing OSA incidence have been found and quantitative assessment of their influence made as well. We have assessed the joint influence of factors related to a risk for OSA incidence. Upon applying of the Backward Conditional statistic proceeding, the final version confirmed three from the studied indices: distance between the sublingual bone (H) and Spina nasalis posterior (PNS), sublingual bone (H) and mandibular plane (MP), tongue length (V-T). We found that the distance between the sublingual bone (H) and point C3 (third cervical vertebra) – diminishes the risk of a complaint by appr. 24% when increased by 1 mm, i.e. it was found to be a protective factor. This suggested to us some therapeutic interventions in complaint cases – medializing of the lower jaw by apparatus (MAD-therapy). Meanwhile, it was an orientation for application of prophylactic means in growing orthodontic patients.