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Objective: To test the null hypothesis that there is no difference in facial profile shape, malocclusion class, or palatal morphology in Malay adults with and without obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). Materials and Methods: Subjects were 120 adult Malays aged 18 to 65 years (mean Ϯ standard deviation [SD], 33.2 Ϯ 13.31) divided into two groups of 60. Both groups underwent clinical examination and limited channel polysomnography (PSG). The mean OSA and control values were subjected to t-test and the chi square test. Results: Physical examination showed that 61.7% of the OSA patients were obese, and 41.7% of those obese patients had severe OSA. The mean body mass index (BMI) was significantly greater for the OSA group (33.2 kg/m 2 Ϯ 6.5) than for the control group (22.7 kg/m 2 Ϯ 3.5; P Ͻ .001). The mean neck size and systolic blood pressure were greater for the OSA group (43.6 cm Ϯ 6.02; 129.1 mm Hg Ϯ 17.55) than for the control group (35.6 cm Ϯ 3.52; 114.1 mm Hg Ϯ 13.67; P Ͻ .001). Clinical examination showed that the most frequent findings among OSA groups when compared with the control group were convex profiles (71.7%), Class II malocclusion (51.7%), and V palatal shape (53.3%), respectively; the chi square test revealed a significant difference in terms of facial profile and malocclusion class (P Ͻ .05), but no significant difference in palatal shape was found. Conclusion:The null hypothesis is rejected. A convex facial profile and Class II malocclusion were significantly more common in the OSA group. The V palatal shape was a frequent finding in the OSA group. (Angle Orthod. 2010;80:37-42.)

Craniofacial obesity in the bucco-submandibular regions is associated with OSA and may provide valuable screening information for the identification of patients with undiagnosed OSA.

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Head size is not the main contributing factor for gender disparities in speech-ABR outcomes. Gender-specific normative data can be useful when recording speech-ABR for clinical purposes.

The association between dental arch morphology and the aetiology of obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA) is not clear. To compare dental arch morphology in 108 Asian adults with and without ''OSA, overnight'' hospital polysomnography was performed, and sleep reports were obtained for all subjects. Standardized digital photographs were also taken of the subjects' upper and lower study models. Using 25 homologous landmarks, mean OSA and control dental arch configurations were computed, and subjected to finite-element morphometry (FEM), t-tests and principal components analysis (PCA). Mean upper and lower OSA dental arch morphologies were statistically different from respective Control upper and lower arch morphologies (P < 0.05). FEM of the upper arch indicated that the mean OSA configuration was 7-11% narrower in the transverse plane in the incisor and canine regions when compared with the control configuration, and inter-landmark analysis (ILA) confirmed this finding. FEM for the lower arch indicated that the mean OSA configuration was 10-11% narrower in the antero-posterior plane in the pre-molar and molar regions, and confirmed by ILA. Using PCA, significant differences were also found between the two groups in the lower arch using the first two eigenvalues, which accounted for 90% of the total shape change (P < 0.001). Supporting their role as aetiological factors, size and shape differences in dental arch morphology are found in patients with OSA.

Nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) is one of the most difficult diseases to diagnose at an early stage. The clinical presentation of 122 patients with confirmed NPC is described and the findings analysed. The common modes of presentation and cases where detailed nasopharyngeal examination need to be performed are highlighted. We emphasize the importance of health education and training for primary care physicians for early detection of these cases.

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