title: Is There a Relationship Between Snoring Sound Intensity and Frequency and OSAS Severity?
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  We investigated the relationship between snoring sounds and severity of obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS).
  
  
  METHODS
  A total number of 103 snoring patients (60 males and 43 females) were evaluated by means of polysomnographic findings and snoring sound recordings. Snoring sound intensity was assessed using fast Fourier transform (FFT) method by measuring maximal frequency (Fmax) and average snoring sound intensity level (SSIL).
  
  
  RESULTS
  Maximal frequency and SSIL are correlated with apnea-hypopnea index (AHI), REM AHI, and severity of the OSAS. So, as the severity of the OSAS increased, so did the Fmax and SSIL of the snoring recordings, meaning patients started snoring louder with more frequency. In older patients, in females, in severe OSAS group, and in patients with higher body mass index (BMI), AHI and AHI REM values and SSIL and Fmax values increased. As mean oxygen (O2) saturation and lowest O2 saturation decreased, SSIL and Fmax values increased.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Maximal frequency and SSIL analysis of the snoring sound increased in severe OSAS patients. People should be aware of the importance of snoring sounds. In particular, patients with snoring sounds increasing in intensity and of higher frequency should discuss with their physicians the possibility of OSAS.
authors.affiliation: Yunus Emre State Hospital, ENT Clinics, Eskisehir, Turkey.
authors.forename: Mustafa
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Acar
authors.affiliation: Tarsus State Hospital, ENT Clinics, Tarsus, Mersin, Turkey.
authors.forename: Demet
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Yazıcı
authors.affiliation: Kırıkkale University, Faculty of Medicine, ENT Department, Kırıkkale, Turkey nbayarmuluk@yahoo.com.
authors.forename: Nuray
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Bayar Muluk
authors.affiliation: Okmeydanı Training and Research Hospital, ENT Clinics, Istanbul, Turkey.
authors.forename: Deniz
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Hancı
authors.affiliation: Samsun Hospitalpark Büyük Anadolu Hospital, ENT Clinics, Samsun, Turkey.
authors.forename: Erdal
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Seren
authors.affiliation: Eskisehir Osmangazi University Medical Faculty, ENT Department, Eskişehir, Turkey.
authors.forename: Cemal
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Cingi
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D005260:Female; D005583:Fourier Analysis; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D017286:Polysomnography; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D020181:Sleep Apnea, Obstructive / Q000150:complications* / Q000175:diagnosis*; D012913:Snoring / Q000150:complications* / Q000503:physiopathology*; D013016:Sound; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: maximal frequency (Fmax); obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS); polysomnography (PSG); snoring; snoring sound intensity level (SSIL)