The role of habitual snoring and obesity in the development of diabetes: a10-year follow-up study in a male population

Objectives. There are many similarities between diabetes (mainly type 2) an d sleep breathing disturbances regarding risk factors, anthropometric crite ria and consequences of morbidity and mortality. The aim of this study was to investigate whether the association between habitual snoring and diabete s is entirely dependent on obesity. Design. A population-based prospective study. Setting. The municipality of Uppsala, Sweden. Subjects and methods. In 1984 and in 1994, 2668 men aged 30-69 years at bas eline answered questionnaires concerning sleep breathing disturbances and s omatic diseases. Results. Of those with habitual snoring in 1984, 5.4% reported that they ha d developed diabetes during the 10-year period compared with 2.4% of those without habitual snoring (P < 0.001). Amongst obese snorers, 13.5% develope d diabetes compared with 8.6% of obese non-snorers (P = 0.17). In a multipl e logistic regression model, the odds ratio (95% confidence interval) for d evelopment of diabetes was higher in obese snorers [7.0 (2.9-16.9)] than in obese non-snorers [5.1 (2.7-9.5)] after adjustment for age, weight gain, s moking, alcohol dependence and physical inactivity. Conclusions. We conclude that, in males aged 30-69 years, habitual snoring is associated with an increased incidence of diabetes within 10 years. Alth ough obesity is the main risk factor for developing diabetes, coexistent ha bitual snoring may add to this hazard.