Correlation of anthropometric methods with standard method of recording the vertical dimension of occlusion: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Statement of problem: Numerous anthropometric methods have been researched regarding their correlation with the standard method of recording vertical dimension of occlusion. Among these, the most closely correlated method is unknown.

Purpose: The purpose of this systematic review and meta-analysis was to analyze different anthropometric methods with the conventional method of recording vertical dimension of occlusion and to suggest an anthropometric method closely correlated with the standard method.

Material and methods: An electronic systematic search was conducted in PubMed, Scopus, Embase and in other sources using a formulated search strategy. Articles were screened using inclusion criteria with population: edentulous or dentulous individuals (having 28 fully erupted periodontally sound natural teeth) with Angle Class I occlusion; intervention: anthropometric methods of recording vertical dimension; comparison: standard method of recording vertical dimension; outcome: correlation of vertical dimension determined by anthropometric method and standard method; and study type: cross-sectional observational studies. Meta-analysis was performed to correlate different anthropometric measurements with vertical dimension of occlusion. The data were pooled using both the common effects and random effects model, and heterogeneity was determined using the I² test. Subgroup analysis was performed to estimate correlation based on sex. Risk of bias assessment was done using the Quality Assessment of Diagnostic Accuracy Studies (QUADAS-2) tool.

Results: Thirteen cross-sectional observational studies with a total of 3275 participants (1618 men and 1657 women) and using 11 different anthropometric methods were included. Overall, the thumb length showed the strongest correlation (common effects: 0.63, random effects: 0.57, heterogeneity: 99%). In men, the distance between the distal outer canthus and rima oris (common effects: 0.57, random effects: 0.58, heterogeneity: 86%) and, in women, the little finger length (common effects: 0.46, random effects: 0.46, heterogeneity: 94%) showed the strongest correlation. High risk was observed in domains related to patient selection and the index test in most studies.

Conclusions: Overall, the anthropometric methods showed a high correlation with the standard method of recording anthropometric methods and can be used as a method of recording the vertical dimension of occlusion. The thumb length showed the strongest correlation, making it potentially the most accurate predictor of vertical dimension of occlusion. However, overall high heterogeneity was observed across studies.