Clinical assessment and polysomnographic study of sleep apnea in a Chinese population of snorers

Background and objectives: While an increasing number of people who snore are seeking medical consultations, the clinical characteristics of snorers are rarely reported. The aim of this study is to characterize the clinical and polysomnographic features in a population of snorers. Methods: A total of 490 subjects were examined retrospectively. The clinical history, Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS) scores, physical examination, and full-night polysomnography (PSG) data were obtained for all the subjects. The correlations between the neck circumference, waist circumference, ESS scores, body mass index (BMI), and apnea-hypopnea index (AHI) of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) patients were explored. The gender and age differences in OSA patients were analyzed. Results: OSA was diagnosed in 84.7% of the sample, with 21.2% of the patients having a mild form, 15.4% having a moderate form, and 63.4% having a severe form of OSA. The ESS scores, neck circumference, waist circumference, and BMI were positively correlated with AHI in OSA patients. The ESS scores and BMI were negatively correlated with nadir oxygen saturation (SaO₂). A greater number of men than women exhibited moderate to severe forms of the disease. OSA affects the work of males more commonly compared with females. Nocturia was a more common complaint in elderly OSA patients. Heart diseases coexisted more frequently with OSA in elderly patients. Conclusions: In a population of snorers, OSA is the most common condition identified. The ESS scores and BMI were well correlated with the severity of the disease. Men had a more severe form of OSA than women. Nocturia frequently occurred in elderly OSA patients, as did the coexistence of heart disease.