Introduction and objectives: We want to find a simple
method for exploring the airway superior to predict the
sleep apnea-hypopnea syndrome (OSAS), in older than 65
years, by comparing these findings with the cardiorespiratory
poligraphy.
Material and method: 84 patients, older than 65 with
symptoms of OSAS. All the patients are subjected to
a monitored cardiorespiratory polygraphy and an
oropharynx exploration, which includes Mallampati index
(MI), the Friedman tongue position (FTP) and the tonsillar
size. We also collect the body mass index (BMI). The relationship
between the sleep apnea-hypopnea index (AHI)
and each of the physical examinations is evaluated with
the Pearson correlation index. We apply X2 to test the
association between AHI and BMI .
Results: In this study, there was not a statistically significant
relationship between patients with moderate-severe
OSAS and FTP, or moderate-severe OSAS and tonsillar
size. It was a statistically significant association between
moderate-severe OSAS patients and the MI (p=0, 007). If
a patient has moderate-severe OSAS, the probability of
presenting a high IM is of 65%. The relationship between
IAH and BMI is statistically significant (p=0, 031). In obese
subjects, the probability of suffering moderate-severe
OSAS is 60% in this age period.
Conclusions: In this study, the oropharynx exploration,
alone, does not predict the presence or severity of the
OSAS in the elderly.
