[Habitual snoring and obstructive sleep apnea in adults: population-based study in Southern Brazil].
OBJECTIVE
To estimate the prevalence of habitual snoring and obstructive sleep apnea and their factors associated.


METHODS
Cross-sectional study with a representative sample comprising 3,136 adults (>20 years) living in the city of Pelotas, Southern Brazil, in 2005. A questionnaire was used to collect information on demographic, socioeconomic, behavioral and anthropometric variables and outcomes. Crude and adjusted statistical analysis using Fisher exact test and chi-square test for linear trend and a multivariate analysis through Poisson regression model were carried out, respectively.


RESULTS
The prevalence of habitual snoring was 50.5% (95% CI: 48.1;52.8) and obstructive sleep apnea was 9.9% (95% CI: 8.7;11.2). After adjustment, the risk of habitual snoring was greater in males (prevalence ratio [PR]=1.25, 95% CI: 1.16;1.34), elderly people (PR=1.62, 95% CI: 1.46;1.80), current smokers (PR=1.15, 95% CI: 1.07;1.25), alcohol users (PR=1.17, 95% CI: 1.03;1.31) and obese people (PR=1.71, 95% CI: 1.55;1.88). The risk of obstructive sleep apnea was greater in males (PR=2.05, 95% CI: 1.67;2.52), elderly people (PR=2.23, 95% CI: 1.64;3.03), current smokers (PR=1.60, 95% CI: 1.25;2.05) and obese people (PR=2.61, 95% CI: 1.97;3.47).


CONCLUSIONS
In the studied population, habitual snoring and obstructive sleep apnea were common symptoms. Well-known risk factors such as male gender and age between 40 and 60 years are not modifiable. However, smoking, alcohol use and obesity need to be identified and treated in general population.
Noal
Ricardo B
RB
Programa de Pós-graduação em Epidemiologia, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade Federal de Pelotas, Pelotas, RS, Brazil. ricardonoal@gmail.com
Menezes
Ana M B
AM
Canani
Simone F
SF
Siqueira
Fernando V
FV
D000328:Adult; D000428:Alcohol Drinking / Q000453:epidemiology; D015992:Body Mass Index; D001938:Brazil / Q000453:epidemiology; D004812:Epidemiologic Methods; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D020181:Sleep Apnea, Obstructive / Q000453:epidemiology*; D012907:Smoking / Q000453:epidemiology; D012913:Snoring / Q000453:epidemiology*; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D014505:Urban Population