Mallampati score as a tool for obstructive sleep apnea

Aim: Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA) is a common, yet underdiagnosed disorder linked to cardiovascular disease, hypertension, diabetes, and other systemic risks. The Mallampati score, a simple clinical tool for assessing airway anatomy, has been suggested as a cost-effective screening method. This study evaluates the association between Mallampati score and OSA severity in an Oral Medicine clinic setting. Methods: In this prospective observational study, 92 adults attending the Oral Medicine OPD were screened using the Epworth Sleepiness Questionnaire. Mallampati scores were recorded during oral examination and categorized into Classes I–IV. OSA severity was assessed by clinical evaluation and polysomnography. Associations between Mallampati score, OSA severity, BMI, age, systemic diseases, and gender were analyzed. Results: Higher Mallampati classes were associated with increased OSA severity. Each increase in class raised the odds of OSA diagnosis by 7.14% (p = 0.02). Mallampati Class III and IV showed strong correlation with severe OSA. Significant associations were noted with Type 2 diabetes (p = 0.03), hypertension (p = 0.01), asthma (p = 0.04), and heart disease (p = 0.03). Age and BMI positively correlated with Mallampati class, while no significant association was found with gender. Mild systemic conditions such as gastrointestinal or thyroid disorders showed no meaningful relationship (p = 0.90). Conclusion: Mallampati scoring is a reliable, non-invasive, and inexpensive tool to screen high-risk patients for OSA, particularly those with elevated BMI and diabetes. Its routine use in Oral Medicine clinics can aid early identification and referral for confirmatory sleep studies.