Systematic evaluation of the upper airway in the adult population of São Paulo, Brazil.
OBJECTIVE
To study the prevalence of otorhinolaryngologic symptoms and findings of physical examination of the upper airway (UA) of a representative sample of the adult population of São Paulo, Brazil, and the association between these findings.


METHODS
Cross-sectional survey.


METHODS
Population sample.


METHODS
A total of 1101 randomly selected volunteers representing the adult population of São Paulo according to sex, age, and socioeconomic class were included in this study. Otorhinolaryngological evaluation included investigation of nasal complaints, physical examination of the UA, and a facial inspection.


RESULTS
A total of 993 volunteers (53.9% women), with a mean age of 41.8 ± 0.89 years, underwent otorhinolaryngologic examination. The most prevalent symptoms were the following: symptoms suggestive of rhinitis (44.9%), snoring (42.8%), mouth breathing (39.3%), and nasal obstruction (33.3%). In physical examination, the most common findings were a web palate (redundant posterior pillar; 62.9%), septum deviation (56.9%), and inferior turbinate hypertrophy (37.7%). Significant associations were found between nasal obstruction and septum deviations, inferior turbinate hypertrophy, high-arched palate, and class II dental occlusion; between symptoms of rhinitis and inferior turbinate hypertrophy; and between snoring and obstructive deviated septum, modified Mallampatti grades III and IV, increased neck circumference, and age greater than or equal to 50 years.


CONCLUSIONS
The prevalence of otorhinolaryngologic symptoms and alterations in physical examination of the UA were high in the adult population of São Paulo, Brazil. The snoring and nasal symptoms were significantly associated with findings from UA physical examination and inspection of the facial skeleton.
Departamento de Otorrinolaringologia e Cirurgia de Cabeça e Pescoço, Universidade Federal de São Paulo-UNIFESP, São Paulo, Brazil. rstefanini@terra.com.br
Renato
R
Stefanini
Sergio
S
Tufik
Maria Claudia Mattos
MC
Soares
Fernanda Louise Martinho
FL
Haddad
Lia Rita Azeredo
LR
Bittencourt
Rogerio
R
Santos-Silva
Luis Carlos
LC
Gregorio
D000328:Adult; D001938:Brazil / Q000453:epidemiology; D016009:Chi-Square Distribution; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009296:Nasal Cavity; D010038:Otorhinolaryngologic Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology; D010808:Physical Examination; D012307:Risk Factors; D012893:Sleep Wake Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology; D018709:Statistics, Nonparametric; D014505:Urban Population