Prevalence of Habitual Snoring and Symptoms of Sleep-disordered Breathing in Adolescents

Objective: Sleep-disordered breathing is an important public health problem in adolescents. The aim of this study was to investigate the prevalence and risk factors of habitual snoring and symptoms of sleep-disordered breathing in adolescents.

Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted with children from primary schools and high schools that the ages ranged from 12 to 17 years. Data were collected by physical examination and questionnaires filled in by parents regarding sleep habits and possible risk factors of snoring. According to answers, children were classified into three groups: non-snorers, occasional snorers, and habitual snorers.

Results: The response rate was 79.2%; 1030 of 1300 questionnaires were fully completed and analyzed. The prevalence of habitual snoring was 4.0%. Habitual snorers had significantly more nighttime symptoms including observed apneas, difficulty breathing, restless sleep and mouth breathing during sleep compared to occasional and non-snorers. Prevalence of habitual snoring was increased in children who had had tonsillar hypertrophy, allergic rhinitis, and maternal smoking.

Conclusion: We found the prevalence of habitual snoring to be 4.0% in adolescents from the province of Manisa, Turkey which is low compared to previous studies. Habitual snoring is an important problem in adolescents and habitual snorers had significantly more nighttime symptoms of sleep-disordered breathing compared to non-snorers.