Sleep-related breathing disorders in adolescents aged 12 to 18 years - Clinical and polygraphic findings

Study objectives: To determine the frequency, symptoms, and polygraphic fea tures of sleep-related breathing disorders (SRBD) in adolescents aged 12 to 16 years. Design: Cross-sectional study. Setting: Randomly selected secondary schools in the city of Seville, Spain, Participants: A general population sample of adolescents (n = 101; mean [+/ - SD] age, 13.2 +/- 0.8 years), Interventions: An 82-item questionnaire regarding anthropometric data and n octurnal and daytime symptoms suggestive of SRBD was administered. Symptoms mere evaluated according to a 4-point frequency scale, Snorers answered "s ometimes" or "often" in the question about snoring, and nonsnorers answered "never" or "rarely." Ah subjects underwent an overnight cardiorespiratory polygraphy at home. Results: Twenty-nine percent of the subjects were snorers. Excessive daytim e sleepiness was present in 14% of subjects, and sleep apnea was present in 3%, Polygraphy showed a respiratory disturbance index greater than or equa l to 10 in 18 subjects (17.8%), but concurrent symptoms highly suggestive o f SRBD were found in only 2 subjects (1.9%). Snorers had higher waist-to-hi p ratios and a higher frequency of witnessed apnea or labored breathing as well as higher values of respiratory events as compared with nonsnorers. Ho wever, oximetry data were similar in both groups. Conclusions: In a nonselected group of adolescents aged 12 to 16 years, the frequency of symptoms potentially associated with SRBD was similar to that reported for younger children. Snoring was associated with a higher occurr ence of other nocturnal symptoms, a more central pattern of body fat distri bution, and a higher respiratory disturbance index as compared with nonsnor ers. Although polygraphic abnormalities were mild, two cases of probable SR BD were found with a prevalence rate of 1.9%.