Is High Modified Mallampati Score A Risk Factor for Arterial Hypertension?

Aim: Various studies have shown that one of these predisposing risk factors, namely the anatomical narrowness of the upper airway, is linked to insulin resistance, atherosclerosis, obesity, and HT related diseases. This study investigates the possible relation between HT and the Modified Mallampati Score (MMS) which is linked to the anatomical narrowness of the upper airway at the oropharynx level. Material and Method: The study covers a total of 138 adults of which 57 are women (41.3%) and 81 are men (58.7%). The patients were selected among those adults who had presented to the cardiology clinic with a known history of hypertension, without any systemic diseases, not on medication for any reason, and without any anatomical problems that could give way to airway obstruction through a detailed ENT examination. Results: According to MMS the mean figures of systolic and diastolic blood there was a statistically significant relation between HT and MMS (p<0.05). There was also a statistically significant difference between the systolic and diastolic blood pressures of patients with MMS1-MMS2, MMS1-MMS3. The same relation was found between MMS2-MMS3 only regarding the diastolic pressures (p<0.017). Discussion: It is shown that high MMS is related to HT. We think that it would be best for high MMS patients be evaluated concerning HT during the initial examination of the patient by the clinician.