A CASE OF SLEEP APNOEA PRESENTING AS SLEEP BRUXISM SHOWING EARLY SIGNS OF METABOLIC SYNDROME A CASE REPORT

Dr. Ruchita Vasudeva*

ABSTRACT

Aim and background:
This case report describes presentation of a case of sleep bruxism in which the underlying
pathology was discovered to be sleep apnoea. Teeth grinding is usually treated by dental appliance, but in this case
the appliance had no effect. Case description: The pathophysiology of sleep bruxism was found to be sleep
apnoea. Judicious history taking and integrativ e approach to find out the etiology, resulted in formulating a
diagnosis of generalized muscle weakness, recent weight gain and sedentary lifestyle. The lipid profile presented a
picture of cardiovascular risk and indicated metabolic syndrome risk factors. Advice for weight loss and exercise
therapy was given for which patient compliance was excellent. Both sleep bruxism and sleep apnoea showed
improvement and muscle weakness and cardiovascular risk decreased. Hence, serious complications of sleep
apnoea we re avoided. Conclusion: Dental diseases like sleep bruxism may indicate serious systemic problems and
must be investigated thoroughly. Clinical significance: This case report is aimed at heightening awareness of both
physicians and dental surgeons to early onset of metabolic syndrome and/or sleep apnoea which may present as
dental disease.

Keywords: Sleep bruxism, sleep apnoea, metabolic syndrome, polysomnography, cardiovascular risk.