HABITUAL SNORING AS A RISK FACTOR FOR BRAIN INFARCTION

The association of habitual snoring with cerebral ischaemia was studie d, in a case control-study, in 133 patients aged 45-75 years (103 men and 30 women) and 133 controls matched for sex and age. Ischaemic stro ke was confirmed by brain computed tomography or magnetic resonance im aging. History of risk factors, especially of snoring and sleeping hab its was recorded with structured questionnaire during interview. Preva lence of habitual snoring significantly differs between patients with stroke and controls: 31/133 (23.3%) vs 11/133 (8.3%) (Odds ratio 3.4, 95% confidence interval 1.5 to 7.6, p<0.001). Even after adjusting for matching variables and confounding risk factors (arterial hypertensio n, cardiac arrhythmia, and obesity), habitual snoring carries a signif icant risk factor for stroke (odds ratio: 2.9; 95% confidence interval 1.3 to 6.8 (p = 0.01)). The risk of ischaemic stroke was higher among older male patients with arterial hypertension who always snored. Hab itual snoring was not significantly linked with sleep-related stroke n or with the pathophysiology of strokes. Inquiring about habitual snori ng should become a routine practice, especially among older male patie nts with arterial hypertension, and specific preventive measures shoul d be instituted at an earlier stage.