Introduction: Studies relating otorhinolaryngological with phonoaudiological and polysomnographic assessments in patients with the obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS) are rare, and the paucity of information on this topic is apparent when outlining treatments for the OSAS. Objectives: The purpose of this investigation was to thoroughly describe possible alterations in orofacial motricity structure and function in the OSAS patients by means of a phonoaudiological evaluation model.

Methods: Orofacial structures and functions were examined in male OSAS patients with respect to anthropometric, otorhinolaryngological, and phonoaudiological parameters.

Results: A total of 22 patients was recruited, with an average age of 47±11 years old, body mass index of 26.2±4.9 kg/m2, and cervical circumference of 43.9±3.4 cm. The otorhinolaryngological and phonoaudiological assessments revealed that 73% of patients had reductions related to tongue tension; 64% of them showed an elevated genioglossus with the tip of the tongue laying behind the inferior central incisive teeth; 55% showed failed teething; 27% exhibited normal occlusion; 18% had class II occlusions; 100% had facial asymmetry; 36% had a narrow, deep, hard palate; 55% had nasal obstruction; 100% presented with oropharynx alterations; 72% showed unilateral chewing; 63% had ineffective chewing, and 83% exhibited advanced tongue projection during swallowing.

Conclusions: The phonoaudiological model adopted in this study produced relevant findings about modifications in orofacial motricity in the treatment of OSAS patient

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Giovana Diaféria, Eveli Truksinas, Fernanda Louise Martinho Haddad, Rogério Santos-Silva, Silvana Bommarito, Luiz Carlos Gregório, Sergio Tufik, Lia Rita Azeredo Bittencourt

This article originally appeared in Sleep Science