Facial phenotyping in obstructive sleep apnoea-hypopnoea syndrome.
Research type
Research Study
Full title
The relationship between facio-cervical phenotyping and upper airway morphology in obstructive sleep apnoea-hypopnoea syndrome: A three-dimensional approach.
IRAS ID
187538
Contact name
Ama Johal
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Queen Mary University of London
ISRCTN Number
ISRCTN18399406
Duration of Study in the UK
2 years, 0 months, 1 days
Research summary
Background: Obstructive sleep apnoea-hypopnoea syndrome (OSAHS) is a significantly underdiagnosed sleep disorder, characterized by repeated collapse of the upper airway during sleep. An attempt has been made to identify OSAHS subjects from their surface facial form and/or shape. However, a recently conducted & registered (PROSPERO: CRD42015023901) systematic review by Agha & Johal (2015, awaiting submission) found limited and contradictory results relating to the external facial form in OSAHS subjects. \nObjective: The present study aims to assess the role of facio-cervical phenotyping in OSAHS subjects to provide a better understanding of the facio-cervical structure in OSAHS (i.e. surface, skeletal, upper airway and its related structures) and to explore the development of a new prediction tool (marker) for these subjects.\nMethod: A matched case-control study will be conducted consist of 132 dentate Caucasian male adults, aged 40-65 years having body mass index (BMI) either normal (BMI <25) or obese (BMI >30). The participants will be divided into two groups, 66 subjects for each: study group (S) with a confirmed diagnosis of OSAHS (AHI ≥ 5 events/hour) and control group (C) with no clinically demonstrable OSAHS as assessed by pre-screening questionnaire: Epworth sleepiness scale score (ESS), sleep partner questionnaire (SPQ) and sleep apnoea clinical score (SACS). According to the BMI, the groups then will be subdivided into 2 groups (n=33), a non-obese, and an obese. To assess the facio-cervical morphology, OSAHS subjects will undergo cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) and three-dimensional (3D) stereophotogrammetry scan while the control group will undergo a lateral cephalometric radiograph and a 3D stereophotogrammetry scan at the same time. Statistical analysis will be performed using SPSS software (SPSS ver.22.0, New York, USA). The facio-cervical soft tissue, skeletal and upper airway morphology and its related structures will be assessed using an independent t-test, correlation analysis, principle component analysis and multiple regression analysis.
REC name
London - City & East Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
16/LO/0554
Date of REC Opinion
17 May 2016
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion