Sleep Med Psychophysiol.  1998 Jun;5(1):88-102.

Obstructive Sleep Apnea Symptoms Prevalence and Sleep Apnea-Associated Factors in Korean Adult Population: A Cross-sectional Survey of Three Rural Communities

• Sohn CH
• Jeong DU
• Sung JH
• Chang SH
• Lee KS
• Lee WJ
• Shin HR
• Lee BO
• Cho SH

Abstract

OBJECTIVES
We attempted to study obstructive sleep apnea symptoms prevalence and sleep apnea-associated factors in Korean rural adult population.
METHODS
In 1,441 adult subjects of three rural communities selected by cluster sampling, we administered an epidemiologic survey using questionnaire methods from July 14, 1996 to July 28, 1996. RESULT: 1) In 14.1% of the subjects, snoring was reported to occur almost daily and 2.9% of the subjects reported sleep apnea symptoms occurring almost daily. 2) Snoring and sleep apnea symptoms were found more frequency in males or in mid-aged group(45-64 years old) than in females or in younger- and older-aged groups, respectively. Compared with the subjects who have no snoring, the subjects who have snoring or sleep apnea symptoms had greater body mass index(BMI), waist-hip ratio, hemoglobin level, RBC count, and higher diastolic blood pressure. 3) Cigarette smoking and alcohol drinking more than once a week were significantly associated with suffering from sleep apnea symptoms. 4) In multiple logistic regression analysis, being male, mid-aged, and greater BMI were independently associated with the peresence of snoring and sleep apnea symptoms.
CONCLUSION
We conclude that, in the Korean rural adult population, males or mid-aged group suffers more from snoring and sleep apnea symptoms than females or younger- and older-aged groups. In addition, being male, mid-aged, and greater BMI were significantly associated independently with the presence of snoring and sleep apnea symptoms.

Keyword

snoring; sleep apnea; questionnaire; epidemiology; risk factors

MeSH Terms

Adult*
Alcohol Drinking
Blood Pressure
Cross-Sectional Studies*
Epidemiology
Female
Humans
Logistic Models
Male
Prevalence*
Surveys and Questionnaires
Risk Factors
Rural Population*
Sleep Apnea Syndromes
Sleep Apnea, Obstructive*
Smoking
Snoring
Waist-Hip Ratio