Studies regarding the association between snoring and metabolic abnormalities have been inconsistent. We examine whether snoring frequency and obstructive sleep apnea markers are associated with metabolic syndrome (MetS) among Koreans aged 40-69 years. A total of 72,885 subjects (24,856 men, 48,029 women) from the Health Examinees Gem study between 2009 and 2013 were included. Snoring frequency was grouped into five categories (never, 1-3/month, 1-3/week, 4-5/week, 6+/week). Obstructive sleep apnea markers included breathing interruptions and awakenings. Adjusted odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (95% CIs) were calculated through logistic regression. Compared with non-snorers, those who snore 6+/week were associated with increased odds for MetS (OR: 2.07, 95% CI: 1.91-2.25, p-trend < 0.0001 among men; OR: 1.45, CI: 1.33-1.58, p-trend < 0.0001 among women). Snoring frequency is associated with MetS and its components in both men and women. Snoring and obstructive sleep apnea markers are important indicators of sleep quality, which may facilitate early detection of sleep disorders and further complications such as MetS.
Keywords: Korean; epidemiology; health examinees study; metabolic syndrome; snoring.