Prevalence of Snoring and Witnessed Apnea in Taiwanese Adults

Background: Sleep-disordered breathing (SDB) is a prevalent disorder that has a hugeimpact on the public. It has been proposed that Chinese populations have ahigher incidence of SDB than Caucasians due to a narrow cranial base andflat mid-face structure. Few studies have investigated the prevalence of SDBin Taiwan. This study prospectively assesses the complaints of SDB andrelated conditions via telephone interviews with individual older than fifteenin Taiwan to calculate a possible prevalence.Methods: Computer-assisted telephone interviews were conducted from Oct. 25, 2006to Nov. 6, 2006. Individuals aged over 15 years were interviewed. The numberof successful interviews was calculated based on the population prior tothe study. Demographic data and data for symptoms of SDB and medicalconditions were obtained.Results: In total, 4,011 individuals, 1,634 males and 2,377 females, completed theinterviews. The prevalence of snoring in these Taiwanese individuals was51.9% [95% confidence interval (CI) 51.13%-52.67%], 60.8% (95% CI58.67%-62.93%) in males and 42.5% (95% CI 40.26%-44.74%) in females.The prevalence of witnessed apnea during sleep was 2.6% (95% CI 2.1%-3.1%), 3.4% (95% CI 2.6%-4.2%) in males and 1.9% (95% CI 1.28%-2.52%) in females. The prevalence of snoring and witnessed apnea was significantlyhigher in males than in females (p < 0.05). Prevalence of hypertension,cardiovascular disease, diabetes mellitus, arthritis and backache washigher in those who snored or had witnessed apnea than those without thesesymptoms (p < 0.05).Conclusion: This study determined that 51.9% (95% CI 51.13%-52.67%) of Taiwanesesnore and 2.6% (95% CI 2.1%-3.1%) have witnessed apnea. Those whosnore or have witnessed apnea have a higher incidence of comorbidity withmajor medical diseases compared to those who do not snore or do not havewitnessed apnea.