Abstract

Objectives: To determine the association of Mallampatti Score as a risk factor for Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA).
Methodology: This is a prospective questionnaire based survey included 103 individuals
Results: Mean BMI of patients was 23.83±6.03 kg/m2. There were 28 (27.2%) overweight and 22 (21.4%) obese patients. High risk on Berlin questionnaire was found in 12 (11.7%) patients. Both Berlin Questionnaire and Epworth questioner showed a negative association with Mallampati; the low risk group of these variables in our study with a p-value of 0.034 & 0.016 respectively i.e they are good for exclusion of OSA if found negative. Comparison of general characteristics with Mallampatti score and snoring showed significant association among patients with >25 years of age (p=0.02), low risk of Berlin score (p=0.034) and normal Epworth Sleep Score (p=0.016). Fifteen (14.5%) of overweight & obese individuals had higher Mallampatti score III & lV but the P-values were not significant (0.283 & 0.386).
Conclusion: There is strong association between high Mallampatti score and O.S.A. Therefore we suggest that high mallampatti can be taken as a risk factor / screening tool limitation for O.S.A.

Key words: Mallampati score, obstructive sleep apnea, BMI