INTRODUCTIONBreathing is vital; it brings oxygen to the tissues and removes carbon dioxide. When the air inhaled is not properly prepared to reach the lungs, it changes pulmonary mechanisms with consequent inadequate body oxygenation.1
For nasal breathing to occur, it is necessary to have functional and anatomical integrity of the airways. A simple mechanical obstruction blocking the air passage is enough for the individual to change his breathing pattern in order to keep his vital functions2, thus, oral breathing is considered a supplemental or pathologic breathing.
The disorders caused by a temporary replacement of nasal breathing pattern are overcome by reestablishing proper breathing. The continuity of such disordered breathing may alter mastication, deglution, respiration and phonation, which will later influence the growth and development of systems3, and will also change the balance of postural and thoracic muscle forces.4,5
Most of the times, the oral breathing syndrome is associated with nasal obstruction, because of anatomical or iatrogenic predisposition, however it can be due to deleterious habits such as sucking the thumb or prolonged use of a pacifier6.
Considering that respiratory disorders are usually problems of multifactorial character, it is difficult to define clearly the etiology of oral breathing7. During childhood, any disease, accident, allergy or cold symptoms may obstruct the upper airway and, with time, lead the child to breathe through the mouth. Breastfeeding is the ideal method to avoid it, because alternative feeding and early weaning predispose the child to developing allergies that will change the respiratory pattern8 and, consequently, the occurrence of deleterious oral habits9-11.
Currently, oral breathing is considered a Public Health Problem and, because of its complexity, many fields in health care have shown a growing interest in the problems caused by such syndrome, because they may affect general health and the individual's life quality12-15 and because of the limitations and complications caused by this pathology9,16,17.
Based on this principle, it is fundamental to diagnose and refer the patient to multidisciplinary treatment as early as possible, while there are no bone deformities on the face, cardiorespiratory, immunological and behavioral changes18. However, the difficulty of access to public health care services and the lack of knowledge of the population about the sequelae caused by the pathology itself may play important roles in this context.
Aware of such conditions, the goal of the present investigation is to check the influence of socioeconomic and demographic factors in determining the respiratory pattern of children from the public and private health care system of the city of Recife-PE.
MATERIALS AND METHODSThis was a pilot, cross-sectional, descriptive study, in which we assessed 143 children and adolescents with ages varying between 9 ad 10 years, of both genders, properly enrolled in two schools in the metropolitan region of Recife/PE, one private and one public.
Clinical diagnosis regarding breathing pattern was considered in two tests: Test 1 was carried out with the metal plate (Glatzel) to check the presence of the steam distribution (superior /inferior/both) caused by breathing and Test 2, to assess how long water remained in the mouth with the lips touching and without swallowing for 3 minutes (timed), observing through the labial commissure if there was any effort during this period14.
For statistical analysis purposes, we considered as oral breathers those patients classified as such in both tests that were carried out, in other words, that had steam in the inferior or inferior/superior portions of the Glatzel metal plate and kept the water in their mouths for three minutes.
In order to check the level of coincidence inter-examiners as to breathing pattern diagnosis we obtained the Kappa coincidence index, of which value was 0.85.
The students were randomly selected, by a lottery, between May and June of 2006. In order to assess socioeconomic factors, the students were interviewed after proper and signed authorization by the parents/guardians, making use of a previously created form with questions dealing with the following aspects: medical care, use of medication, who they live with, family structure (marital status of the parents), number of rooms in the house where they lived, number of siblings, maternal and paternal education, type of work the mother did.
This study was approved by the Ethics and Research Committee of the University of Pernambuco, and followed the standards established by Resolution 196/96 from the National Committee of Ethics and Research of the National Health Council.
For data analysis we obtained absolute and percentage distributions for the variables in nominal scale and also statistic measures such as: minimum, maximum, mean, median, standard deviation and variation coefficient for age (descriptive statistics techniques), and we also used the following statistical tests: chi-squared for proportions equality or Fisher's Exact Test when it was not possible to use the Chi-Squared.
In order to determine the impact of independent variables on the dependent variable (student with an oral breathing pattern), we adjusted a logistics regression model considering the significant variables with the dependent variable at the 20% level (p < 0.20) in the bi-varied study.
Data were keyed in the Excel spreadsheet and we used the SAS (Statistical Analysis System), version 8.0. statistics software for data analysis. We used 5.0% as level of significance in the statistical tests.
RESULTSOf the 143 students who took part in the study, 79 (55.2%) came from the private school and 64 (44.8%) came fro the public school. As to gender, 54.5% were males and 45.5%, were females. Most students did not use medications. Among the ones who used it, most of them came from the private school (21.8% x 4.7%) and of those, most of them (93.6% x 29.7%) had medical insurance.
The rate of divorced parents was higher among students from the public school (50.0% x 22.7%) and the contrary happened with the rate of married parents, which was higher among students from the private school (73.4% x 43.7%); as to the issue of who the children lived with, more children answered they lived with both parents among those from the private school (75.9% x 39.1%) and who lived with the mother only was higher among children from the public school (40.6% x 20.3%); a large number of people (6 or more) who lived at home tended to be higher among students from the public school (34.4% x 17.9%). The number of rooms in the house (3 or more) tended to be higher in the homes of students from the private school (78.4% x 21.6%). Except for the order of childbirth, we can see significant differences between the two types of school at the significance level considered for each one of the variables we analyzed. Parents' educational level was higher among students from the private school, since 68.4% had higher education and 71.7% of the parents of children in the public school hadn't even finished basic education; As to the mothers' level of education, the rate of mothers who did not complete basic education was 66.7% in the public school and 72.7% of mothers with higher education in the private school children. The number of mothers who had a job was also higher among children from the private school (73.4% x 49.2%). Of the mothers who worked (at home or had jobs) most were on wages, and this rate was higher among mothers of children from the public school (79.4% x 65.0%). Except for the profession (self-employed or employed by third parties) we see a significant difference between the parents of children from the two types of school for the other variables analyzed.
As far as the respiratory pattern diagnostic is concerned (Table 1) we noticed that the number of oral breathing students in Test 1 (< 3 minutes with water in their mouths), was higher among those from the public school (68.7%), being statistically significant. In Test 2, we noticed that most students (53.8%) also were oral breathers (vapor inferior/both), and this percentage was similarly higher among students from the public school (65.6%).
On Tables 2 through 5, we show the results from the breathing pattern assessment according to the variables: type of school, gender, age range, medical care, use of medication, family structure with parents, who they lived with, birth order, number of people living in the house, number of rooms, father's education, mother's education, mother's profession.
The students diagnosed as oral breathers were those classified as such in the two tests carried out. After data crossover: of the 143 students, 64 (44.8%) were diagnosed as nasal breathers and 79 (55.2%) as oral breathers, and this latter figure was higher among students from the public school (67.2%) with statistically significant difference (Table 2). Nonetheless, as far as gender is concerned, there was no statistical difference.
The rate of oral breathing students was of 9.8%, higher among those who did not have medical care (62.0%), however, as far as medication use is concerned, the data was similar (Table 3).
Of the data regarding family structure, we highlight that the percentage of oral breathers was higher among those from divorced parents (66.0%) and among those who did not live with the mother or with the father and the mother (68.7%). It was inversely proportional to the number of rooms in the house (72.0% for those who had only one room), without significant association (Table 4).
On Table 5, we highlight that the higher the educational level of the father and the mother, the lower is the oral breathing rate, however without significant association.
As we adjusted the logistics regression model for oral prevalence we considered the following independent variables: school type, family structure, number of rooms in the house and parents' education; such variables did have significant association with the breathing pattern at the 20% level. In adjusting the single significant variable at 5%, it was school type, and for such reason we do not present the proposed model because in the present case the problem is based on a bi-varied analysis.
DISCUSSIONThe oral breathing syndrome is increasingly gaining importance in the literature because it is a public health problem19, since its long duration can cause14,15 a series of consequences to the growth and development of the individual, impacting the physical, psychological and social aspects. Thus, health policies that add to early prevention and treatment strategies must be implemented within a multidisciplinary philosophy in order to try to avoid symptomatic treatment20,3,15.
In the present investigation, in order to diagnose breathing pattern, 2 tests were carried out, and their results are different and complementary to each other21,22: the Glatzel's metal plate23,24 associated with water dwelling in the mouth for 3 minutes12. These tests are fundamental, especially when one tries to analyze exclusive oral breathers, who are identified through the vapor distribution test, which helps differentiate individuals with mixed breathing.
In so far as the importance of the aforementioned tests, we stress that the water dwelling in the mouth test, although enough by itself to diagnose the breathing pattern when used alone, in other words, in cases in which it is not necessary to pick up the exclusive oral breather one must use the 3 minute water test, thus avoiding biased results which can be misinterpreted. The use of shorter periods, 1 to 2 minutes, for example12,24 can underestimate the prevalence of this problem in the population.
Oral breathing prevalence in the sample studied was of 55.2%, similar to other epidemiological studies that found rates between 45% and 53.3%21,25-27. Nonetheless, the literature is in disagreement showing higher rates (66.3% and 77.7%)28,7, as well as lower ones (5% to 30%)29-33. These differences can be explained by the methodologies used in other investigations, especially in regards of the diagnostic criteria.
As far as gender is concerned, the literature reports that oral breathing is more frequent among males21, nonetheless, we found a slight prevalence of oral breathers among females (57.7%) when compared to males (52.3%), however, without significant difference. Such data corroborate another study in which there was a slight difference in this variable34.
As we analyze the socioeconomic impact on breathing pattern, we noticed that the oral breathing prevalence was significantly higher among children from the public school (67.2%) when compared to those from the private school (45.6%). Similar data were found in another study about oral sucking habits in which the oral breathing prevalence was of 77.7% in an underprivileged population7.
Having in mind that the low-income population is the one bearing the greatest risk because it involves economic and demographic factors35, it is without doubt that the prevalence of respiratory disease in children would be reduced if they had better housing and less people living in the same house36,37. This last data corroborates the findings of this study, because 72% of the children who lived in houses with one room only were oral breathers, and this percentage fell as the number of rooms in the house increased (Table 4).
In order to check other aspects associated with socioeconomic conditions, we asked the children about health insurance and the use of medication (allergy drugs), and we noticed that the majority (93.6%) of the private school children had medical insurance and their frequency of medication use was higher (21.8%); differently from the public school children, among whom only 29.7% had medical insurance and only 4.7% used medication.
When we evaluated whether medical care and medication use were associated with breathing pattern, we noticed that not having medical insurance was associated with a higher percentage of children with oral breathing (62.0%), although such variable, as well as that of medication use were not significant (Table 2). These data call our attention, especially in our country, because precarious socioeconomic conditions worsen diseases. Because of difficult access to specialists in the public health care system, the low-income population not always get the medical care they need, thus leaving numerous respiratory problems without proper care33. Moreover, individuals with less means to acquire medication, allocated in public schools, could be those that need it the most.
Individuals with respiratory disorders are more prone to having repetitive episodes of colds, spasmodic cough and hoarseness. They may also develop other disorders, such as: cranial-facial deformities, malocclusion, dry lips, sleepy face, spots around the eyes, speech disorders, postural and gait changes, which all interfere in school performance, professional performance and social relations38,39,21,22. Moreover, they have a greater tendency in developing caries and periodontal problems because of the drying in their oral cavities, which without proper lubrication becomes more prone to bacteria and biofilm40.
Analyzing family data by type of school, we notice that the percentage of married parents was higher among students from the private school (73.4%) and that of divorced parents was higher among children who went to the public school (50.0%); about who they lived with, the highest percentage of children living with both parents was found among those from the private school system (75.9%) and living with the mother only was mostly found among those from the public school (40.6%); a greater number of people living in the same house was higher with the public school children, while the largest number of rooms in the house was higher among those from the private schools, with significant differences. Nonetheless, at a 5% significance level, there was no association between these variables and breathing pattern (Table 4).
As to the number of people living in the house, results vary when compared to those from other studies, in which the large number of individuals per bedroom was associated with respiratory diseases, especially in relation to the number of people sharing the bedroom with the child41,36,37. Unfavorable dwelling conditions represent an important risk factor for respiratory diseases42.
Insofar as social indicators are concerned, we noticed that the lower education of fathers (71.7% and 66.7%) and of mothers who did not have a job was significantly higher among children from public schools. When we assessed these factors in relation to breathing pattern, we noticed that there was no association among any of the variables studied. (Table 5). Nonetheless, the prevalence of oral breathing was higher among children of parents who did not complete basic education.
The occupation and education of those responsible for the family have been associated with respiratory disorders in many studies, especially mothers' education, mentioned as an important factor that determines acute respiratory disorders36,37. Thus, the more unfavorable the socioeconomic situation, the greater the prevalence and severity of disorders. However, respiratory disorders may vary from mild allergy processes, all the way to severe situations such as sleep apnea; problems which the socioeconomic conditions may have different outcomes43.
In this context, it is clear that the oral breathing syndrome is a problem that affects all social layers of the population, where socioeconomic factors play a very important role, starting on prevention, with breastfeeding44,45 which contributes to the child's immunization and the adoption of a proper respiratory pattern, all the way to creating opportunities for early diagnosis by providing access to information and health care.
Notwithstanding, it is paramount to train multidisciplinary teams and helpers about the Oral Breathing Syndrome, aiming at obtaining a precise diagnosis and to refer the child to full treatment, to improve the life quality of all those who need it.
CONCLUSIONS1. Oral breathing prevalence was high in the population studied, with no difference gender wise.
2. There were no associations between the socioeconomic variables evaluated and the breathing pattern, except with school type.
3. Oral breathing was more prevalent among public school children.
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1 PhD, Professor - University of Pernanbuco.
2 M.S. in Odontopediatrics, PhD - Dental School of Pernambuco.
3 Dentistry student - Dental school of Caruaru.
4 PhD, Professor - Dental School of /ASCES.
Faculdade de Odontologia de Pernambuco/UPE Faculdade de Odontologia de Caruaru/ASCES.
Send correspondence to: Valdenice Aparecida de Menezes -Rua Carlos Pereira Falcão 811/602 Boa Viagem Recife PE 51021-350.
Paper submitted to the ABORL-CCF SGP (Management Publications System) on September 29th, 2006 and accepted for publication on ctober, 21th, 2006. cod. 3421.
