Sleep and Health Implications of Snoring: A Populational Analysis

Objectives/Hypothesis: Determine the prevalence of snoring and if snoring is associated with negative effects on sleep patterns and other health conditions. Study Design: Cross-sectional analysis of large-scale national risk-factor survey. Methods: The Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System for the 2012 sleep health component was analyzed to determine the relationships between respondents' sleep patterns including average hours slept, days of insufficient sleep, falling asleep while driving, and the presence of snoring. The associations between snoring and coronary artery disease, stroke, and depressive disorder were also determined. Results: Among 8,137,601 weighted respondents (raw N = 22,745), 52.8% (95% confidence interval, 51.9%-53.8%) reported that they snored. Males were more likely to report snoring than females (59.0% vs. 46.9%, respectively, P < .001) and increasing body mass index was associated with a higher prevalence of snoring (normal weight, 36% snoring vs. obese, 71%; P < .001). Snorers reported decreased sleep time, more lack of sleep days, and unintentional falling asleep days than nonsnorers (6.97 vs. 7.15 hours, 9.1 vs. 7.6 days, and 3.3 vs. 2.1 days, respectively; all P < .001). Snorers were more likely to have fallen asleep while driving than nonsnorers (odds ratio, 1.49; P < .001). Snorers also demonstrated increased odds ratios for coronary artery disease and depressive disorder (odds ratios 1.40 and 1.39; respectively, P < .001), but not for stroke (P - .421). Conclusions: Self-reported snoring is associated with significant negative sleep pattern behaviors as well as coronary artery disease and depressive disorders. Further study of snoring as a risk factor for poor sleep and other diseases is warranted.