Prevalence and predictors of habitual snoring in a sample of Saudi middle-aged adults

• Published in: Saudi medical journal Vol. 36; no. 8; pp. 920 - 927
• Main Authors: Wali, Siraj O, Abaalkhail, Bahaa A
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Saudi Arabia Saudi Medical Journal 01.08.2015
• Subjects: Adult; Adults; Blood pressure measurement; Cross-Sectional Studies; Female; Humans; Hypertension; Male; Middle Aged; Original; Prevalence; Risk Factors; Saudi Arabia - epidemiology; Schools; Sleep; Sleep apnea; Snoring - epidemiology; Surveys
• ISSN: 0379-5284; 1658-3175
• DOI: 10.15537/smj.2015.8.11848

To determine the prevalence of habitual snoring among a sample of middle-aged Saudi adults, and its potential predictors.  A cross-sectional study was conducted from March 2013 until June 2013 in randomly selected Saudi Schools in Jeddah, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. The enrolled subjects were 2682 school employees (aged 30-60 years, 52.1% females) who were randomly selected and interviewed. The questionnaire used for the interview included: the Wisconsin Sleep Questionnaire to assess for snoring, medical history, and socio-demographic data. Anthropometric measurements and blood pressure readings were recorded using standard methods.  Forty percent of the 2682 enrolled subjects were snorers: 23.5% were habitual snorers, 16.6% were moderate snorers, and 59.9%, were non-snorers. A multivariate analysis revealed that independent predictors of snoring were ageing, male gender, daytime sleepiness, hypertension, family history of both snoring and obstructive sleep apnea, water-pipe smoking, and consanguinity. This study shows that snoring is a common condition among the Saudi population. Previously reported risk factors were reemphasized but consanguinity was identified as a new independent predictive risk factor of snoring. Exploring snoring history should be part of the clinical evaluation.