A 10-YEAR FOLLOW-UP OF SNORING IN MEN

Study objectives: Little is known about the natural development of sno ring, and this survey was conducted to study the development of snorin g in men over a 10-year period. Design: Population-based prospective s urvey. Setting: The Municipality of Uppsala, Sweden, Participants and measurements: In 1984, 3,201 randomly selected men aged 30 to 69 years answered a questionnaire on snoring and sleep disturbances. Of the 2, 975 survivors in 1994, 2,668 (89.7%) answered a new questionnaire with identical questions to those used at baseline, Questions about smokin g habits, alcohol, and physical activity were also added. Results: Hab itual snoring was reported by 393 men (15.0%) in 1984 and by 529 (20.4 %) 10 years later. In both 1984 and 1994, the prevalence of snoring in creased until age 50 to 60 years and then decreased. Risk factors for being a habitual snorer at the follow-up were investigated using multi ple logistic regression with adjustments for previous snoring status, age, body mass index (BMI), weight gain, smoking habits, and physical activity. In men aged 30 to 49 years at baseline, the predictors of ha bitual snoring at the follow-up, in addition to previous snoring statu s, were as follows: persistent smoking (adjusted odds ratio, 95% confi dence interval) (1.4, 1.1 to 1.9), BMI 1984 (1.1, 1.02 to 1.1/kg/m(2)) and weight gain (1.1, 1.03 to 1.2/kg/m(2)). Among men aged 50 to 69 y ears, after adjustments for previous snoring status and age, weight ga in was the only significant risk factor for developing habitual snorin g (1.2, 1.05 to 1.4/kg/m(2)). Conclusions: In men, the prevalence of s noring increases up to the age of 50 to 60 years and is then followed by a decrease, Weight gain is a risk factor for snoring in all age gro ups, while smoking is mainly associated with snoring in men <60 years of age.