To Determine the Association of Gag Reflex with Types of Soft Palate A Case-Control Study

ABSTRACT OBJECTIVES This study aimed to assess the association between the gag reflex and soft palate types. METHODOLOGY This case-control study was conducted in Khyber College of Dentistry, Peshawar. The study included 120 participants divided equally into gag reflex (case=60) and non-gag reflex (control=60) groups. Gag reflex was categorized according to Dickinson and Fiske's Gagging Severity Index. Grade 1 was considered normal and allotted to the control group. Grade 2 was considered mild gagging; Grade 3, moderate; and Grades 4 & 5, severe. The soft palate was categorized according to the House classification into Class I, Class II, and Class III. Sodium Alginate impressions were recorded for patients; those who experienced gagging during impression-taking were included in the case group, while those who did not were included in the control group. RESULTSOf 120 patients, 39.2% were male, and 60.8% were female. Compared to the control group, gag was significantly associated with Soft Palate type II (Odds Ratio: 4.97; 95% CI: 2.24 to 11) and Soft Palate type III (Odds Ratio: 5.88; 95% CI: 1.0 to 33.36). Also, a significant association of the gag reflex was observed with motion sickness (p=0.001), Gastro-esophageal Reflux Disease (p<0.001), and Mouth breathing (p=0.005). Age, gender, and education were not associated with the gag reflex. CONCLUSION There is a significant association between the gag reflex and soft palate type, motion sickness, and GERD.