A retrospective study of the influence of obesity on polysomnography and cephalometric parameters in males with obstructive sleep apnea.

OBJECTIVE Evaluate the influence of obesity on the polysomnographic and cephalometric parameters in obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). METHODS Fifty records of male patients with OSA, containing information on dental, medical, polysomnographic, and cephalometric exams were selected. The degree of obesity was based on Body Mass Index (BMI). Group I comprised normal or overweight individuals (BMI ≤ 29.9 kg/m2), whereas Group II consisted of obese individuals (BMI ≥ 29.9 kg/m2). RESULTS BMI significantly correlated with apnea and hypopnea index (p < 0.0005), minimal oxyhemoglobin saturation (p < 0.0005), and two cephalometric variables (soft palate length, p = 0.01 and width, p = 0.01). Group II showed a significant correlation with the position of the hyoid bone (p = 0.02). Soft palate length and width significantly differed between groups (p = 0.014; 0.016). CONCLUSION Obese males present wider and longer soft palate dimensions, and patients with a greater BMI present a more inferiorly positioned hyoid bone.