Craniofacial morphology of Malay patients with obstructive sleep apnoea

The aim of this study was to compare the skeletal and soft tissue patterns between obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA) patients and control group of non-OSA patients. Fifty Malays (32 males and 18 females) aged 18-65 years divided into two equal groups 25 (17 males and 8 females) with OSA and a control group 25 subjects (15 males and 10 females). Both groups were diagnosed using polysomnography. Nineteen variables related to craniofacial skeletal and soft tissue morphology were measured on lateral cephalometric films. Analysis of covariance was used to compare the means between the two groups. The results showed that OSA subjects had a significant increase in body mass index (BMI) and neck circumference than the control group. The soft palate and tongue were longer and thicker in OSA patients. In addition, upper, middle, and lower posterior airway spaces were narrower, the hyoid bone was more inferior and posterior, and the cranial base flexure angle was significantly acute when compared with the control group. The findings indicate that craniofacial abnormalities play significant roles in the pathogenesis of OSA in Malay patients.