Habitual snoring, Mallampati score, adult population and community.
Abstract
Background: Snoring results during sleep when turbulent airflow vibrates the lax soft tissues within the narrowed upper airway. Habitual snoring is a sign of obstructive sleep apnea with resultant daytime and nighttime consequences. Objective: To determine the prevalence of snoring among apparently healthy adults in Oyo community, and find association between snoring and body mass index, neck circumference, and oropharyngeal inlet. Method and Materials: This was a community based cross-sectional study of randomly selected adult participants. A structured questionnaire was administered to obtain information on participant’s socio-demographics, alcohol intake, smoking habit, sleep duration and posture, snoring and daytime sleepiness. Their height, weight, and neck circumference were measured and body mass indices determined. Oropharynx inlet was graded using Mallampati scoring method and tonsillar enlargement. Statistical analysis was performed with SPSS version 16 (Significance at P < 0.05) Results: Of 408 adults studied [202(49.50%) males and 206(50.50%) females], only 191(46.80%) participants snore consisting 101(24.75%) habitual snorers and 90 (22.05%) non- habitual snorers. There was a significant difference between snorers and non-snorers in neck circumference (p < 0.001), body mass index (p < 0.001) and Mallampati (p = 0.001). Conclusion: There is high prevalence of snorers in the rural community which is significantly associated with increasing BMI, neck circumference, and Mallampati score.
