Relation between orofacial thermographic findings and myofunctional characteristics in patients with obstructive sleep apnea.

AIM To evaluate the thermographic characteristics of orofacial structures and submental triangle of participants with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), as well as to investigate its correlation with the anatomy, posture and functions of the orofacial structures. METHOD Eighteen patients diagnosed with OSA by polysomnography (OSA group; 57.4±15.8 years) and 13 healthy participants screened for OSA (Control group; 57.8±18.1 years) were included. All participants answered to questionnaires for OSA and excessive daytime sleepiness, and were submitted to infrared image thermography analysis of facial regions of interest (ROIs), orofacial myofunctional evaluation (OMES-E protocol) and masticatory performance. Statistical analysis included One-way ANOVA and Pearson/Spearman correlation test. RESULTS OSA group showed lower thermographic measures in many ROIs in the frontal and lateral views of the face, including the submental triangle region, and lower scores of aspect/posture and performance of orofacial structures, as well lower total score of OMES-E evaluation (p<0.05). Scores of aspect/posture and mobility were correlated to the temperature of some ROIs in the frontal and lateral views. CONCLUSION Lower facial skin and submental triangle region temperatures, measured by infrared thermography, and a worse orofacial myofunctional condition were identified in the group of individuals with OSA. The higher temperatures of the ROIs were correlated to the better status of aspect/posture and performance of the orofacial myofunctional structures.