Digital Morphometrics: A New Upper Airway Phenotyping Paradigm in OSA.

ABSTRACT:

Background

OSA is associated with changes in pharyngeal anatomy. The goal of this study was to objectively and reproducibly quantify pharyngeal anatomy by using digital morphometrics based on a laser ruler and to assess differences between subjects with OSA and control subjects and associations with the apnea-hypopnea index (AHI). To the best of our knowledge, this study is the first to use digital morphometrics to quantify intraoral risk factors for OSA.

Methods

Digital photographs were obtained by using an intraoral laser ruler and digital camera in 318 control subjects (mean AHI, 4.2 events/hour) and 542 subjects with OSA (mean AHI, 39.2 events/hour).

Results

The digital morphometric paradigm was validated and reproducible over time and camera distances. A larger m

SUBMITTER: Schwab RJ 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5577353 | biostudies-literature | 2017 Aug

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature