Airway disorders and pulmonary function in snorers. A population-based study

The aim of our study was to determine the relationship between snoring, airway disorders and pulmonary function in the general population. We performed a stratified random sampling from the population (n = 92,364). Four hundred subjects agreed to participate and were invited to the clinic, where a detailed medical history, physical examination, spirometric test and maximal respiratory pressures measurements were carried out. Snoring was reported by 152 subjects (38%). Nasal obstruction and the presence of abnormal pharynx exploration were more frequent in subjects with snoring. Age, body mass index and neck circumference were significantly higher in the snorer group. In addition, we found that the non-snoring group had a significantly higher frequency of tonsillectomy during infancy and adolescence than the snorer group. We did not detect any significant difference in spirometric test values or in maximal respiratory pressure values between snorer group and non-snorer group. In conclusion, in the general population snoring is associated with nasal obstruction and abnormal pharynx exploration. Furthermore, snoring appears not to be associated with modifications in spirometric or in maximal respiratory pressure tests.