Yonsei Med J.  2017 Nov;58(6):1152-1159. 10.3349/ymj.2017.58.6.1152.

A Gender-Specific Association between Self-Reported Snoring and Hemoglobin A1c Levels in a General Population without Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus

• Lee YH
• Kweon SS
• Choi JS
• Nam HS
• Park KS
• Choi SW
• Oh SH
• Kim SA
• Shin MH

• KMID: 2418897
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.3349/ymj.2017.58.6.1152

Abstract

PURPOSE
We explored whether a gender difference was evident in terms of the associations of snoring with hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) and homeostatic model assessment-insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) levels in a healthy population without type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM).
MATERIALS AND METHODS
We analyzed 2706 males and 4080 females who participated in the baseline survey of the Namwon Study. In terms of self-reported snoring frequency, participants were classified as non-snorers or occasional (1-3 days/week), frequent (4-6 days/week), or constant (7 days/week) snorers. Participants with DM, defined as a fasting blood glucose level ≥126 mg/dL and/or use of insulin or hypoglycemic medication, were excluded from the analysis.
RESULTS
In females, the fully adjusted mean (95% confidence interval) HbA1c levels in non-snorers and in occasional, frequent, and constant snorers were 5.53% (5.47-5.59%), 5.53% (5.47-5.59%), 5.57% (5.49-5.64%), and 5.57% (5.51-5.64%), respectively, reflecting a dose-response relationship (p trend=0.004). Compared with female non-snorers, the risk of an elevated HbA1c level (top quintile, ≥5.9%) in constant snorers remained significant (odds ratio 1.30, 95% confidence interval 1.02-1.66) after full adjustment. In addition, in females, a significant linear trend in HbA1c level odds ratio by increased snoring frequency was apparent (p trend=0.019 in model 3). In contrast, no significant association between snoring frequency and HbA1c level was identified in males. No significant association between snoring frequency and HOMA-IR was detected in either gender.
CONCLUSION
We discovered a gender-specific association between snoring and HbA1c level in a healthy, community-dwelling population free of DM.

Keyword

Snoring; hemoglobin A; glycosylated; insulin resistance; gender

MeSH Terms

Adult
Blood Glucose
Female
Glycated Hemoglobin A/*metabolism
Humans
Male
Middle Aged
Odds Ratio
Self Report
Sex Factors
Snoring/*blood
Surveys and Questionnaires
Blood Glucose
Glycated Hemoglobin A

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