The dental and craniofacial characteristics among children with obstructive sleep apnoea: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: Paediatric obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA) is a sleep breathing disorder which may have dramatic effects on childhood behaviour, neurodevelopment, metabolism, and overall health in children. Malocclusion and craniofacial morphology may be related to paediatric OSA, and therefore provide information for clinicians to recognize, evaluate and treat patients with this sleeping disorder. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this systematic review was to summarize evidence regarding the association between paediatric OSA and children's dental and craniofacial characteristics. SEARCH METHODS: PubMed, Embase, and Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials were searched from inception to 1 June 2022. SELECTION CRITERIA: Cross-sectional studies, comparing dental or craniofacial characteristics using clinical dental examinations or radiographic findings between OSA children (less than 18 year, diagnosed with overnight polysomnography) and healthy children, were included. DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS: The Joanna Briggs Institute Critical Appraisal Checklist for Analytical Cross-Sectional Studies was used to assess the quality of included studies. RevMan software was used for performing the Meta-analyses. RESULTS: Sixteen studies were included. Meta-analyses showed that the overjet (MD = 0.86, 95% CI: 0.20 to 1.51; P = 0.01), the saggital skeletal jaw discrepancy (ANB; MD = 1.78, 95% CI: 1.04 to 2.52; P < 0.00001) and mandibular plane angle (FH-MP; MD = 3.65, 95% CI: 2.45 to 4.85; P < 0.00001) were greater in OSA-affected children. In contrast, the upper molar arch width (upper first deciduous molar width; MD = -1.86, 95% CI: -3.52 to -0.20; P = 0.03), (Upper second deciduous molar width; MD = -1.06, 95% CI: -1.88 to -0.24; P = 0.01), SNB (MD = -2.10, 95% CI: -3.11 to -1.09; P < 0.0001), and maxillary length (ANS-PNS; MD = -1.62, 95% CI: -2.66 to -0.58; P = 0.002) were smaller in the OSA group. CONCLUSIONS: This review shows that OSA-affected children tend to present with mandibular retroposition or retrognathia, increased mandibular plane angle and excess anterior overjet. However, these findings need to be viewed with caution as the corresponding differences may not be significant clinically. REGISTRATION: PROSPERO (CRD42020162274).

Research waste-related editorial policies of leading dental journals: Situation 2018.

OBJECTIVES: To study whether specific recommendations aimed at reducing avoidable research waste were included in the author instructions of leading dental journals. METHOD: We identified 109 peer-reviewed and original research-oriented dental journals that were indexed in the MEDLINE and/or SCIE database in 2018. Two authors extracted independently information regarding the endorsement of reporting guidelines (RGs), ICMJE recommendations, trial or systematic review registration, and open access (OA) and data sharing policies. RESULT: All 109 journals provided online "instructions to authors," among which 64 journals (58.7%) mentioned RGs. The ICMJE recommendations were endorsed by 74 journals (67.9%), and trial and systematic review registration were mentioned by 48 (44.0%) and 6 (5.5%) of the journals, respectively. In terms of OA, most journals stated they were hybrid OA (82.0%) and direct OA (15.4%), while data sharing policy was recommended by 32 (29.4%) journals. Statistical analyses suggest that these policies were more frequently mentioned by SCIE-indexed journals, higher-impact journals, and journals that endorsed the ICMJE recommendations. CONCLUSION: Reporting guidelines, OA and data sharing are important tools for enhancing research communication, translation and the reduction of avoidable research waste. However, currently they are not widely endorsed by dental journals.